New data shows an ongoing increase in land clearing in NSW.

Official government data shows 54,500 hectares (134,615 acres) of woody vegetation was cleared in 2019 - a rise of 40 per cent over the long-term average of 38,800.

Including non-woody vegetation, 75,636 ha of clearing has been carried out on regulated rural land in NSW, 74 per cent of which was considered unexplained.

Agriculture and forestry each account for 43 per cent of the total amount of woody vegetation cleared in 2019, while 14 per cent was cleared for infrastructure.

Independent, Labor and Greens MLCs have seized on the figures. 

“We need an urgent overhaul of these laws to halt this unacceptable level of land clearing and deforestation in NSW,” independent MLC Justin Field said.

“We need to draw a line in the sand on species loss and go back to a regulatory framework that protects vegetation, and not allow inexplicable broad-scale clearing across the state.”

Labor environment spokesperson Penny Sharpe wants NSW environment minister Matt Kean to explain any plans the government might have to protect wildlife.

“The increase in unexplained clearing should send serious alarm bells about monitoring and compliance and demands an explanation from Minister Kean as soon as possible,” she said.

Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann said Mr Kean should “do more to stop the National Party that wants zero protection for native vegetation across NSW”.

“Ultimately it will be the Berejiklian government that will bear the mantle of the most anti-environment government this state has seen in a long time if it continues to allow this destruction of vital habitat to continue,” she said.