Tasmanian beekeepers are set to save tens of thousands of dollars under a streamlined licensing system that cuts red tape for the industry.
The reform, announced by Parks Minister Nick Duigan, replaces the previous requirement for apiarists to hold separate licences for each hive site on crown and reserved land with a single licence arrangement.
“Under the previous process, beekeepers were required to hold a licence for each hive site operating on crown and reserved land,” Duigan said.
“This red tape busting change will save almost $780 per site in renewal fees alone, with some beekeepers having around 50 sites. That could be a saving of nearly $40,000.”
The new licences will remain valid for 10 years until 2035, with any new applications or renewals to share the same end date.
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association President Lindsay Bourke welcomed the changes, describing them as a significant relief for the industry.
“This will save beekeepers a mountain of paperwork and money,” Bourke said.
“Some beekeepers previously had 50 leases and now it can all sit under one.”
Bourke said the changes will bring major practical benefits for busy apiarists .
“We are beekeepers, we are pollinating all the crops of Tasmania, the seeds and the fruits and the vegetables. We haven’t got time for paperwork like this,” he said.
For larger operations managing dozens of sites across crown land, the financial impact is substantial, with some businesses expected to save up to $40,000 in fees.
