The Queensland Integrated Planning Act 1997 was introduced as a legislative framework for managing growth and change in Queensland, balancing community wellbeing, economic development and protection of the natural environment.

Current situation

The Department of Local Government, Planning and Sport (DLGPS) has released a review of the Integrated Planning Act 1997(IPA): Dynamic Planning for a Growing State, A Discussion Paper containing 86 recommendations.

Now the public can comment on the recommendations.

The publication details the each recommendation and enables readers to tick one of a list of pre-prepared responses to each recommendation graded from Strongly oppose to Strongly support.

How to comment

WPSQ encourages you to have your say. The deadline for comments is Friday 3 November 2006 (the booklet says 6 October but this has been extended).

• Get a copy of Dynamic Planning for a Growing State, A Discussion Paper from DLGPS:
  • Call +61 7 3235 9439
  • Fax +61 7 3247 3614
  • Go online to the DLFPS website.

• Do not be put off by the size of the document or the number of recommendations.

• Read the booklet and:
  • Respond to each recommendation OR
  • Respond only to recommendations that interest you OR
  • Write a submission addressing your issues of concern. You can use WPSQ's views to help you.

• For your response to count, you must include your name and contact details. Anonymous submissions will not be considered.

Wildlife Queensland's views

The review ignored most of the recommendations Wildlife Queensland made in its submission Protecting Our Bushland earlier in 2006. In summary, these were:

• The introduction of a system for Environmental Impact Statements
• Better timeframes for the community to have input
• No more injurious affection
• Need for funding for capacity building within the community to more effectively participate in the process.

Other positive and negative aspects of the review are listed below.

Positives

• Recognises the need for improved community input to development applications
• Recommends that a development application (DA) can only be accepted if properly made, including whether it includes likely environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
• Recommends that standard planning provisions and definitions be introduced.
• Recommends that limited prohibitions at all levels of Government should be introduced.
  • But unless these prohibitions include environmental protection and the recommendation is not specific.
• A number of amendments clarify issues regarding State Planning Policies (SPPs) and codes and how to accelerate regional planning.
  • But WPSQ wants enforceable SPPs to protect the environment

Negatives

• Community rights are a major issue in the review but there are few changes other than simply encouraging local authorities to do the right thing.
• EISs are not required unless triggered by the federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
• No direction to refuse a Development Application when there is an adverse environmental likelihood.

More information

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's Protecting Our Bushland Campaign, read Recent submissions.

For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, contact us by email or call +61 7 3221 0194.

Wildlife Queensland - September 2006