Cairns And Far North Environment Centre

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19 march 2009
Media Release
QLD State Election 2009
LNP Missing on the Environment

The Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC) today releases the responses from the candidates to the FNQ Regional Environment Survey for all candidates, and is disappointed all regional LNP candidates have failed to submit a single response. Responses from other all other candidates put the Greens in the lead on protecting our regional biodiversity.

It is disappointing that no LNP candidate in the FNQ region could find the time to complete the survey. "I suppose it's a matter of priorities, one LNP candidate estimated that it would take four hours to complete the survey and indicated that they were not willing to spend this time answering these questions. CAFNEC accepts candidates have busy schedules, but also notes other candidates have found the time to complete the survey. ", said Steve Ryan, Campaign Director for CAFNEC.

"ALP candidate for Cook Jason O'Brien took the time to complete the survey, whilst all other ALP candidates  had their homework completed by ALP head office in Brisbane. All responses reiterated ALP policy and no major announcements were made. The review of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 was mentioned, along with a new commitment to review old development approvals within 18months of the election and, assessing them against un-stated criteria. Although welcome, this falls far short of a commitment to put a use by date on them, or ensuring any resulting developments would adhere to current planning regulations."

Habitat Protection and Development Controls
All questions put to the ALP candidates relating to biodiversity protection were referred back to the recently completed FNQ2031 Regional Plan. Whilst far from delivering satisfactory biodiversity and habitat protection, the Regional Plan does represent a positive step forward through limiting the damage of continued urban sprawl. In contrast the LNP have stated they will scrap this plan and start again, citing this restriction of urban expansion as an area of concern. CAFNEC feels the LNP approach is a backward step, instead parties should work on making the plan work harder at delivering sustainable planning outcomes. Green candidates supported statutory habitat protection measures that would offer real protection.

The delivery of sustainable coastal development for Queensland has been a major failing of the current government, but with little comment from the LNP on the issue, it is difficult to judge between these two parties. The Liberal/National Party have an appalling record on coastal protection whilst in government and so it's a fair bet that our coasts would be no safer under an LNP government. The failed False Cape development highlights many deficiencies in current planning laws and a reminder of what else could be around the corner if the LNP got their wish to open East Trinity to development.

The question of False Cape is avoided by the ALP, only saying the it could not happen again under the new Regional Plan. This is not a convincing argument when considered against the recent approval of the Sea Haven Canal Estate in Innisfail, a development that is contrary to state regulations on canal estates.

Climate Change
The Greens far outshine the other parties, with their pro-active support for the creation of new jobs and industries to replace our traditional, and increasingly uncertain,  power  generation  infrastructure.

The LNP could have talked about their Solar Feed-In Tariff that offers a real incentive for those wishing to install home solar systems. The ALP trumpets their Solar Hot Water Rebate scheme that will be effective in cutting  power bills and power demand. But overall, both of these parties actively support the Fossil Fuel driven industries over renewable energy alternatives. e.g. you can mine coal just about anywhere and be exempt from environmental and planning legislation, whilst windfarm proposals can be blocked if one neighbour thinks it might spoil the view!

Landclearing, Rivers and Cape York
On Wild River conservation, the protection Cape York and land clearing controls, the Greens are way ahead, closely followed by the ALP, who stand by their record. The LNP have made little comment and no policy has been sighted.  Steve Brech (Greens-Cairns) did not support all aspects of the Wild Rivers legislation.

All candidate responses can be viewed, in-full, at: www.cafnec.org.au

The CAFNEC Roadmap to Sustainability can be found at www.cafnec.org.au/election/2009_State_Policy.pdf


For further information or comment:
Steve Ryan CAFNEC, 0425 344 746