Comment sought on additional koala protection measures
Developers who impact on koala habitat in an urban area will have to contribute towards the protection of koalas under tough new planning controls being considered by the state government.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe and Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones revealed the outline of the new State Planning Policy (SPP) to be in place by the end of the year.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Developers who impact on koala habitat in an urban area will have to contribute towards the protection of koalas under tough new planning controls being considered by the state government.
Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe and Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones revealed the outline of the new State Planning Policy ( SPP ) to be in place by the end of the year.
“This policy will change the outcomes of new development within urban areas and assist us to halt the decline in South-East koala populations,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We’re hard at work on an effective SPP which tightens up planning rules to provide more vegetation for koalas, while still allowing urban development.
“The intent is that any developer who impacts on koala habitat in an urban area would have to contribute in a positive way towards the protection of koalas.
“For example, this could include working towards new habitat areas or the rehabilitation of existing habitats.”
“We want the community to be part of the decision process in what these new targeted offset requirements should be before their introduction.
Ms Jones said there was no alternative for the government but to act now to ensure an expansion of koala habitat in the next decade.
“The Koala Coast areas of bayside Brisbane, Redland and Logan plus Pine Rivers will be the focus in the short term,” Ms Jones said.
“The SPP will consider the exchange of land for development on koala habitat areas in the urban footprint. This would allow the State to secure more land for koalas.”
The new SPP would:
·include a new koala habitat statutory map, based on $2 million of habitat values mapping by the Department of Environment and Resource Management that identifies bushland and rehabilitation areas plus areas of value to koalas in an urban context.
·guide sub-regional/local planning decisions and development applications, ensuring consideration is given to koala movement and koala friendly designs like retention of habitat on site, appropriate fencing and low-speed roads.
“Although there have been restricted SPPs before, the new policy would apply to every new urban development application, from one house to whole estates,” Ms Jones said.
“A sign of our urgency is that the SPP will be ready by the end of the year, cutting the normal two-year process to just six months.
“Tightening up planning controls is a great start but my department is also working on ways to stop dogs and cars from killing the region’s koalas.”
Both Ministers vowed to keep their departments working closely together while the SPP is being developed.
Meanwhile the State Government’s interim State Planning Regulatory Provision has been finalised.
New assessment criteria is required to be submitted with development applications.
This will ensure the layout and design of development maximises for safe koala movement and habitat enhancement.
Offsetting arrangements have been simplified with developers required to replant a tree for the loss of a metre of an existing tree.
Mr Hinchliffe said I encourage members of the public and other community groups to visit my department’s website www.dip.qld.gov.au to read up on the proposed SPP and find out how to make a submission.
“Submissions will be accepted until August 28, 2009,” he said.
Media Contact: Thea Phillips 3224 8750
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