Tree clearing doubles in Queensland

The amount of land being cleared in Queensland has almost doubled since the Newman government relaxed the state's tree clearing laws.

Figures released by the Palaszczuk government, which has moved to overhaul the current laws, show almost 300,000 hectares of land was cleared in 2014/15, compared to just over 150,000 in 2011/12.

Acting Premier Jackie Trad says there has also been a 46 per cent jump in vegetation clearing within the Great Barrier Reef catchment area.