Table 6 Comparison to two existing Regional Plans applying to sections of the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent lands. Far North Queensland (2009) Central Queensland (2013) (previously completed plan) (new generation plan) Purpose/vision A stronger, more liveable and To resolve competing State interests sustainable community where the relating to the resources and outstanding biodiversity and agricultural sectors. region’s stunning landscape features are valued and protected. Recognition of the Strongly recognised and OUV is Recognised under State ‘Other Great Barrier Reef and explicitly stated. but states its strategic Interests’, OUV direction cannot be facilitated through a Underpins many policies and desired statutory regional plan. regional outcomes. Regional policies, Ecological sustainability key underlying None. principles relevant to principle. the Great Barrier Reef Water quality Policy on protection of waterways, Outside of plan scope. wetlands and water quality. Interconnection of water quality from land area to the health of the Great Barrier Reef specifically recognised. Coastal development Wetlands and other significant habitats Not mentioned or addressed. within the Great Barrier Reef catchment mapped and designated Areas of High Ecological Significance with a suite of development controls. Accompanying Biodiversity Conservation Guideline gives detail on how to integrate into local planning schemes. Although regional plans will have differences that reflect their specific context and priorities, they have the potential to address other significant objectives and provide the strategic economic and environmental direction important for those coastal areas adjacent to, and flowing into the Reef. Given the international standing of the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland significant role in its management, it is appropriate that Government’s regional plans (as the only statutory planning measure operating at this scale) play a clear role. The Great Barrier Reef Coastal Zone Strategic Assessment (Queensland Government 2014b) committed to complete regional plans for areas where gaps exist and update existing plans to ensure they respond to the latest information and pressures (Recommendation 8). It is too early to assess the effects of recent changes in Queensland land use planning legislation on outcomes for the GBRWHA. Local planning schemes and regional plans are gradually being amended to be consistent with the over-arching Queensland State Planning Policy (Queensland Government 2014d). This is a significant change through all levels of planning in Queensland, and an important opportunity for a consistent approach to both coastal development and water quality to be rigorously addressed in the hierarchy of plans. Although the
Table 6 Comparison to two existing Regional Plans applying to sections of the Great Barrier Reef and adjacent lands. Far North Queensland (2009) (previously completed plan) Central Queensland (2013) (new generation plan) Purpose/vision A stronger, more liveable and sustainable community where the region’s outstanding biodiversity and stunning landscape features are valued and protected. To resolve competing State interests relating to the resources and agricultural sectors. Recognition of the Great Barrier Reef and OUV Strongly recognised and OUV is explicitly stated. Underpins many policies and desired regional outcomes. Recognised under ‘Other State Interests’, but states its strategic direction cannot be facilitated through a statutory regional plan. Regional policies, principles relevant to the Great Barrier Reef Ecological sustainability key underlying principle. None. Water quality Policy on protection of waterways, wetlands and water quality. Interconnection of water quality from land area to the health of the Great Barrier Reef specifically recognised. Outside of plan scope. Coastal development Wetlands and other significant habitats within the Great Barrier Reef catchment mapped and designated Areas of High Ecological Significance with a suite of development controls. Accompanying Biodiversity Conservation Guideline gives detail on how to integrate into local planning schemes. Not mentioned or addressed. Although regional plans will have differences that reflect their specific context and priorities, they have the potential to address other significant objectives and provide the strategic economic and environmental direction important for those coastal areas adjacent to, and flowing into the Reef. Given the international standing of the Great Barrier Reef and the Queensland Government’s significant role in its management, it is appropriate that regional plans (as the only statutory planning measure operating at this scale) play a clear role. The Great Barrier Reef Coastal Zone Strategic Assessment (Queensland Government 2014b) committed to complete regional plans for areas where gaps exist and update existing plans to ensure they respond to the latest information and pressures (Recommendation 8). It is too early to assess the effects of recent changes in Queensland land use planning legislation on outcomes for the GBRWHA. Local planning schemes and regional plans are gradually being amended to be consistent with the over-arching Queensland State Planning Policy (Queensland Government 2014d). This is a significant change through all levels of planning in Queensland, and an important opportunity for a consistent approach to both coastal development and water quality to be rigorously addressed in the hierarchy of plans. Although the
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