The Draft FNQ 2025 Regional has been finalised and is now called the FNQ20231 Regionl Plan 

A Brief Analysis of the Final FNQ 2031 Regional Plan

The Regulatory Teeth of the Plan
By Ina Richter

Last year CAFNEC has published an analysis of the Draft of the Regional 2009-2025 and the related State Planning Regulatory Provisions. As described this paper, CAFNEC recognizes the great potential of the FNQ2031 to address key failings in local planning schemes and gaps in other key state and federal environmental regulatory provisions. It certainly puts more restrictions on development within the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area, the Rural Living Area as well as the Urban Growth Area.

Nevertheless CAFNEC holds major concerns and reservations with these final version of the Regulatory Provisions. These fail to adequately address significant issues for development in Far North Queensland and  its outstanding natural environment such as the the cumulative impacts of tourism developments and, a specific declaration for the protection of areas of high ecological significance, such as wildlife corridors outside and within the Urban Footprint.

In these cases little improvements are demonstrated in achieving the FNQ 2031 Regional Plan’s planning intent of sustainability. It also demonstrates that development will not be prevented in highly sensitive areas.

The Planning Minister can change the boundaries whenever they feel like it, with the exception of the Urban Footprint. I think they call this “wriggle room”, a plain old back door.

Other aspects of concern cover the Statutory Planning Process – especially the Implementation, Monitoring and Reviewing of the FNQ 2031. There is a clear need for implementing the Regional Coordination Committee, charged with overseeing the implementation of the Plan and advising the Planning Minister. This committee should include substantive conservation interests.

Also, certain terms and phrases remain unspecific and give room diverse interpretations that could lead to development approvals with adverse environmental impacts.

There will be further updates in the future, so stay tuned. See the CAFNEC website for more information, or call and have a chat.

Call for Help

CAFNEC would love to hear from those interested in taking a volunteer role in monitoring the roll-out of the Plan and the adequacy of Local Government uptake of policy reforms.

Background informaton

FNQ 2025 Regional Planning Process

Far North Queensland (FNQ) is a region internationally renowned for its cultural and ecological values and diversity. These values form the basis of the regional economy, half of which is based upon tourism. The region is experiencing high rates of population growth and associated development which are placing ever increasing pressure on the regions environment. Urban and agricultural development have already seen the loss of 80% of FNQ’s coastal rainforests and wetlands, and placed significant pressures on the two world heritage areas. The region is also recognised by the Australian Government and the International Panel on Climate Change as being highly exposed to climate change impacts on numerous fronts.

The QLD State government is currently developing FNQ 2025; a statutory regional plan which will guide and direct new development in the region up until the year 2025.

The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre believes this regional plan has the potential to make a positive difference to our region in the coming decades. CAFNEC intends to strongly advocate for a plan that is visionary, innovative and underpinned at all times by sustainability. CAFNEC will coordinate a conservation response to FNQ 2025 through extensive engagement with other environmental groups, the community and the State government, to ensure environmental values and concerns are well represented throughout the development of this Plan. 

CAFNEC’s key goals in this project are to:

CAFNEC wishes to sincerely thank the Qld government’s Blueprint for the Bush initiative and Terrain NRM Ltd and the Mullum Trust for supporting our FNQ2025 engagement efforts.