| Candidate |
Q
1. Urban
Development
Remaining habitat and natural
areas in our region continue to be lost to expanding urban development.
The
Integrated Planning Act (IPA) has ecologically sustainable development
as its
core objective.
a. Do
you believe the IPA is
delivering ecologically sustainable development in our region?
|
Desley
Boyle
|
The
Bligh Government is committed to providing the necessary protection of
unique landscapes and environmental values across Queensland and
recognises that regional planning plays a key role in helping
Queensland communities meet the challenges associated with rapid
growth, population change and the increasing demand for public services
at a local level.
The Queensland Government commences implementing
a strategy to accerate regional planning in regional and rural
Queensland. This was supported through an accerlerated regional
planning programm following a three point plan:
- developing and implementing a consistent and contemporary framework
for effective regional planning across Queensland
- accelerating implementation of the existing regional plans
- delivering regional plans in rural Queensland
The
Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA) provides a framework for
coordinating and integrating planning at the regional level to seek
ecological sustainability.
This commitment to sustainable
development is demonstrated in the recently released Far North
Queensland (FNQ) Regional Plan 1009-1031. Under the FNQ Regional Plan,
99.4% of the region is off limits to urban development. By constraining
development to less than 1% of the Far North, this Government provides
a guarantee to communities that population growth does not mean loss of
ecological areas within the region, nor does it mean that unique
characteristics or the region are compromised. The FNQ region has two
world heritage listed areas, which the FNQ REgional Plan supports and
protects.
Lawrence Springborg and the Nationals have said they
will throw out the FNQ Regional Plan and start again with community
consultation. Lawrence Springborg's Shadow Minister for Natural
REsources Andrew Cripps has said he doesn't support the FNQ REgional
Plan because of the restrictions it imposes on rural subdivisons. This
is a clear signal that the LNP will remove the strong environmental
protections included in the plan. Just as the Nationals do not support
stronger protections to protect the Reef from run-off, the Nationals do
not support the stronger environmental protections for the Far North
contained in the FNQ Regional Plan.
|
Steve
Brech
|
Remaining
habitat and natural areas in our region continue to be lost to
expanding urban development. The Integrated Planning Act (IPA) has
ecologically sustainable development as its core objective.
No...more work needs to occur in this area "2031" needs to be
strengthened
amongst other things The Greens will give Statutory Authorities more
power
to control bad planning eg making the Environmental Protection Agency
into
an "Authority"
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b.
What do you consider to be key
aspects of IPA that need reform? |
Desley
Boyle
|
One
of the first actions of the Bligh Government was to establish the
Department for Infrastructure and Planning.
This is a clear indicaton of this Government's commitment to properly
integrated infrastructure planning and land use planning that delivers
sustainable and well-planned communities with social infrastructure,
public transport, parks and communities facilities.
As part of
this commitment, the Bligh Government has begun a major review and
reform of Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA). This reform program,
titled "Planning for a prosperous Queensland" was launched in August
2007 and includes the processes and policies that guide how development
applications are assessed.
The planning reform is much more than
just changing legislation. It is about changing the way planning is
undertaken. We will ensure that there is a greater focus on better
planning outcomes and less focus on the process. Other key reform
actions that will be implemented are; streaming and simplifiying the
Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS), improving community
engagement in planning scheme preparation, making clear and more
effective State planning instruments, better management of historic
approvals and development leases to reflect current expectations, more
accessible dispute resolution, better stakeholder communication and
supporting information; and greater stakeholder capacity and support.
A re-elected Bligh Government will continue with the reform agenda and
will deliver key changes to IPA in 2009.
|
Steve
Brech
|
Linkages between Government Departments and Regional Councils with the
EP(Authority given the ability to prohibit some forms of development in
particular areas (zones) into the Integrated Planning Act (IPA).
Remove the injurious affection compensation provisions of IPA, so that the
threat of having to pay compensation does not hamper steps by local
government to undo planning mistakes incorporated in earlier planning
schemes and development approvals.
Remove from IPA the process of Preliminary Approvals, which circumvent
community consultation on the detail of development applications.
Amend IPA so that any existing approval older than two years is taken to
have lapsed, and the holder of the approval must reapply for a new approval.
Amend IPA to reduce the ability of Councils to ignore planning scheme
provisions at the behest of development interests who claim sufficient
grounds exist for approving development which conflicts with the town
plan.
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c. Do
you support a two year,
use-it-or-lose-it, sunset clause to be placed on all Pre-IPA
development
Approvals? |
Desley
Boyle
|
A
re-elected Bligh Government will complete a review of old development
approvals issued by local government withing 18 months. This review
will be undertaken with local governments, and will also include an
opportunity for the community to identify any old approvals they may
have specific concerns with.
At the conclusion of this review, the
Government will determine an appropriate mechanism for dealing with
each identified old approval on a case by case basis.
Options may include:
- a legislative sunset clause to the development rights
-
the use of a state planning instrument such as a regulatoy provision or
the declraration of a maste planning area to ensure a contemporary
planning approach to development; and
- continuing to allow the approval to stand in circumstances where it
is appropriate to do so.
A central consideration in this determination will be contemporary
planning and environmental standards.
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Steve Brech
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Yes |
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Q2. What
do you consider to be the
most important environmental issues
faced by our region over the coming decade? |
Desley
Boyle
|
Climate
change, releiving pressures on the Great Barrier Reef, vegetation
management and land clearing, and sustainable transport.
|
Steve Brech
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Climate Change causing sea level rise's and hotter and wetter conditioned with
more intense cyclones
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Q3. Sustainability:
When talking about a sustainable future of Queensland - the longer
term outcomes need to be considered against other short term interests.
It is
our lack of application of sustainability principles that has led to
many of
the current ecological, social and economic problems we now face
locally and
globally.
a. How do you apply the concept
of Ecologically Sustainable Development to policy decisions? |
Desley
Boyle
|
It
is ver important for the government to base its decisions on sound
policy principles. The greatest envrionmental challenge of our time is
climate change, and there is now unequivocal scientific evidence tht
climate change is happening and that these changes are associated with
the release of GHG emissions from human activities, such as the burning
of fossil fuels.
Australia's average temperatures have increased by
0.90C since 1910, and associated changes in rainfall, wind patterns,
sea level, ocean temperature/acidity, extreme events (floods, drought
and fire) and many other aspects of weather and climate have been
observed.
In response the Bligh Government introduced a
requirement to include a Climate Change Impact Statement (CCIS) in all
Cabinet decisions. A CCIS will provide a succinct summary of the
climate change impacts associated with the relevant project, policy or
legislation. The CCIS will become a standard inclusion in all
submissions to Cabinet from 1 July 2008, similar to the existing
requirement to include a Rural/Reginal Impact Statement and an
Employment and Skills Development Impact Statement. The intent of a
CCIS is to inform decision-making, by enabling Cabinet to consider the
impacts of a proposal within the broader context of the State's
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile and future climate change risks.
The
CCIS will provides Cabinet with specific information on the potential
GHG emissions impacts or benefits of a proposal and the potential risks
to the proposal from projected changes in climate.
This information will enable indirect and longer termn climate-related
implications of a proposal to be considered in decisions.
The
preparation of a CCIS will serve as an important mechanism to enable
Government agencies to better understand the climate change impacts of
their proposals - a key step in Queensland moving towards a low carbon
future and successfully adjusting to a changing climate.
|
Steve Brech
|
What can a government do to make the things that happen less harmful in the
long-term for the environment and therefore the people living in it.
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b. What
is your view on the
sustainability of ongoing population growth in our region (considering
water,
sewerage and other waste, green-space and transport) and what policy
measures
would you advocate to deal with the impacts of this increase, or to
limit it? |
Steve
Brech
|
Somewhere between massive residential tower blocks and every person living
on an hectare of land there is the right population density. What that
looks likes from suburb to suburb and community to community needs massive
and on-going public debate with us all talking about the best way to live
in this environment. Some European models do not fit with our climate and
lifestle. Australians ar resilient and clever. We must spend on research
& development and find the mix of jobs & quality of life that fit our
region.
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Q4. Climate
Change:
Please indicate which, if any, of the following you support:
a. By 2020, reducing Energy Deman by 30% and Support Renewable Energy
by 40%.
Support/Don't support
|
Desley
Boyle
|
The
Bligh Labor Government was an early mover amongst Australian
Governments in introducing the Solar Bonus, a fee-in-tariff that pays a
premium return on electricity generated on rooftop PVs and fed back
into the electricity grid. In Queensland, that return is nearly three
times the standard tariff for electricity. Already, our Solar bonus
Solar HOmes and Solar Schools programs have delivered over a megawatt
of generation capacity into the grid, and over a thousand Queensland
families have received a Solar Bonus for elecricity they have generated.
A
re-elected Bligh Government will co-operate with CoAG and the
Ministerial Council on Energy, which are together investigating models
for a nationally consistent fee-in-tariff. We are committed to that
process, and its outcome, because consistency across State borders is
good for the renewable energy industry, which is good for Queensland.
In addition, Labor's Climate Smart Home Service will help 260,000 homes
cut their energy use and save 5.3 million tones of greenhouse gas
emissions over the lifetime of the installed products.
A re-elected Bligh Government has also committed to making Queensland
Australia's solar state.
This
plan, which will create up to 500 jobs will deliver up to 200,000 solar
hot water systems to Queensland families for $500 each - a fraction of
the retail price of electric systems - over the next three years.
This
will give the average family free hot water after less than two years
of using the system and pensioners and concession card holders will
have free hot water in less than six months.
This Solar Hot Water
Program will more than double the number of solar hot water systems in
the State. It will cut Queensland household energy costs by up to $96
million and reduce carbon emissions by up to 640,000 tonnes over three
years.
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Steve Brech
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Support |
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b. Adopting
a Gross power model
for the payment of electricity generated through grid-connected
household solar
systems, where households are paid for all the power they produce,
rather than
the current Net model. Support/Don’t
support |
Steve
Brech
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Support
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Q5. Public
Transport
a. How do you think public
transport services in the Cairns region can be improved? |
| Desley
Boyle |
Labor
does not believe upgrading Kuranda Range Road is required in the
foreseeable future. Under the draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan
- FNQ2025, the northern Tablelands is no longer considered one of the
priority areas to cater for population growth in the greater Cairns
area before 2025. Therefore the major four-lane upgrade is not
considered to be necessary in the short-term. However, we are committed
to continuing fieldwork investigations after the wet season as basis
for possible long-term future planning.
The Bligh Government's
priority is to make the Kuranda Range Road as safe as possible and that
is why the speed limit has dropped from 80 - 60km per hour. A dedicated
$3m program of safety works is also underway. We have installed 1km of
guardrail, new warning signs, and more curve warning and directional
signs, and replaced guide posts. A rain activated wet weather warning
sign alerting motorists to slippery road conditions was also installed.
As well an SMS service exists to assist motorists in planning their
trips.
In 2009, a key focus area will be curve widening works to
improve safety for heavy vehicles and all road users. Proposed works at
certain curves will involve earthworks. Therefore, the designs have
been sent to the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) and the
federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
(DEWHA). Work will start as soon as possible after these approvals are
granted. A proposal for a heavy vehicle pull-off area a top of range
has also been forwarded to WTMA and DEWHA for approval.
Current
wildlife protection initiatives on the Kuranda Range include a large
culvert under Streets Creek which serves as a potential cassowary
underpass. On both sides of the road corridor, cassowary fencing has
been installed and recently maintained to guide cassowaries towards the
Streets Creek culvert. Also, the installation of rope
bridges for
animal crossings is proposed in constitution with James Cook University.
In
relation to public transport, Labor is committed to delivering the
Cairns Transit Network, which would link Palm Cove to Gordonvale and
all neighbourhoods in between.
The Cairns Transit Network will
improve the region's public transport while protecting its unique
lifestyle and environment now and into the future. The transit network
will make public transport faster and more reliable because buses will
get their own dedicated space in the transport network. Buses take
priority in the network plan - either through bus lanes or on bus-only
roads, making it easier to move around Cairns on public transport.
The
network will connect all major centres in the Cairns area, including
the Northern Beaches, Smithfield, the airport, Earlville, Edmonton,
Gordonvale and the central business district.
Compromising three public transport spines, it will become the centre
of Cairns' public transport system.
The three proposes spines are:
- Northern spine - from the Cairns Central Business District to Plam
Cove via Smithfield
- Southern spine - from the Cairns Central Business District to
Gordonvale via Edmonton
- Western spine - from Earlville to Smithfield via Redlynch
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| Steve Brech |
A free market approach to taxi services, A fully subsidised
environmentally friendly bus service with the subsidies phased out and
business mandated to take over using legal constraints so that in future,
funding does not increase to more than 50%. Light rail paid and run by
the State Government...mandated carriage of heavy goods by train..where
appropriate.
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b. What
do you think is a
reasonable target for public transport use by commuters? For example,
20% of
commuters on public transport by 2015. |
| Steve
Brech |
A range of measures, so that future workplaces are closer to peoples homes,
reduction in the number of lanes, reduced speed limits in built up areas
and yes 20% is a good target to start with
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c. Do you support the creation of
a regional public transport coordination body to oversee a regional
approach to
public transport planning and investment? |
| Steve Brech |
No, I think that better inter departmental liason and the CRC and other
regional bodies working with each other would be more efficient. However
the financial controls must be held by State Government for a co-ordinated
approach to better transportation outcomes
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d. What alternative transport
solutions do you support for the Kuranda Range Road? |
| Steve Brech |
All heavy loads to be transported by rail and the ongoing widening to
continue with appropriate bridge and other animal crossings to be
implemented.
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Q6. Protecting Our Coasts:
The failed False Cape
development remains an open sore on the gateway to Cairns, and provides
a prime
example of the failure of State Government regulatory apparatus in
adequately
controlling coastal development. Investigations into the safety of the
rocky
slopes above the development have yet to be carried out, despite being
identified as "essential"
by experts advising council.
a. Will
you support the State
government intervention to prevent any further work until the safety of
the
entire site has been investigated? |
| Desley Boyle |
The
release of the FNQ Regional Plan 2009-2031 in February
by the Bligh Government is part of the ongoing commitment to stopping
adhoc and inappropriate developments occurring outside of preferred
growth areas. The designation of an urban footprints will constrain
development to appropriate growth areas.
Under
the provisions of the current FNQ Regional Plan, False Cape would not
be approved if a development application were lodged today.
The 2001
and 2004 approvals for False Cape were granted by Cairns Council as a
result of historic zonings imposed by the Nationals in the 1980s.
Labor
supports the decision of the Commonwealth Environment Minister in
September 2008 to suspend the project's approval for 12 months pending
an environmental audit.
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| Steve Brech |
If the developer fails to meet the rates over the next 3 years I support
Government buyback with an environemntal /Indigenous interpretive centre
and walking track to the gun turret.
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b. Will you support the concept
of a whole-of-government buy back and rehabilitation of the site? |
| Steve Brech |
Yes
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c. Canal developments continue to
be approved along the Queensland coast, despite ALP promises that no
more will
be approved. Will you support the banning of canal and lake-based
coastal
developments, including those utilising land reclamation? |
| Steve Brech |
Yes |
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Q7. Habitat Protection:
The FNQ Regional Planning
process represents a missed opportunity for a significant increase in
the level
of protection of remaining habitat networks Coastal
development has
heavily impacted on species such as the cassowary and Mahogany glider,
to the
point some coast populations of these species are now at risk of local
extinction. The FNQ Regional Plan provides only limited, non-binding,
protection important habitat areas.
a. What
is your position on the
FNQ Regional Plan in its current form? |
| Desley Boyle |
The
FNQ Regional Plan, which was released by the Bligh Government in 2008,
delivers the underlying principles of ensuring that development across
Queensland is ecologically, socially and economically sustainable. The
urban footprint restricts development to designated areas and controls
the encroachment of urban development into areas of high ecological
significance. The Desired Regional Outcomes for biodiversity
conservation of FNQ Regional Plan focus on protecting ecological values
from potential adverse impacts of urban development.
The
preservation and maintenance of key regional environmental resources is
an improtant element of the regional plan. Decision making processes
under IPA must take account of short and long-term enviornmental
effects of development at local, regional, state and wider levels. They
must also apply the precautionary principle and avoid, if practicable,
or otherwise lessen any adverse environmental effects of development.
A
re-elected Bligh Government will continue to ensure the envioronmental
values are protected and will work with Local Governments to amend
their planning schemes to reflect the biodiversity conservation
policies and mapping constraints on development released in the
Regional Plan. The establishment of the FNQ Regional Plan by the Bligh
Government commits both levels of Government to appropriately manage
areas of high ecological significance across the region.
The Bligh
Government continues to improve the environmental outcomes the
Vegetation Management Act is set to achieve. Following the release of
the SLATS report in February 2009 the Premier announced consultation
would commence with stakeholders to examine the findings of the latest
SLATS report.
The Nationals have committed to repealing the current
FNQ Regional Plan and going back to the drawing board. This
puts
at risk the significant environmental gains made under the FNQ Regional
Plan.
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| Steve Brech |
It needs strengthening and support. The power of Individuals to overturn
specific decisions made by Council and statutory bodies must stop.
Business, government and interest group, including peak bodies and
Indigenous owners or representatives must be consulted. Peacemeal
development must be halted and a whole of government approach must be taken
to insure that our beautiful region is protected in part conserved and that
all citizens have a say on hoe public land is used for future use.
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b. Do you support statutory
measures to protect important habitat and wildlife corridors?
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| Steve Brech |
Yes |
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c. Do you support a strengthening
of the Vegetation Management Act to include protection and management
of
remnant vegetation in Queensland? |
| Steve Brech |
Yes, and also for the DPI/wet-tropics and other relevant agencies to get a
massive funding boost to clear as many invasive species of weeds as possible
from our region. This must be ongoing and is a priority not only for our
tourism & our wildlife but also for agricultural areas.
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Q8. Water and Rivers:
CAFNEC is concerned about the
lack of water efficiency and water reuse and plans to build new water
infrastructure that impacts heavily on our environment.
a. Under
what circumstances would
you support the construction of the Nullinga Dam? |
| Desley Boyle |
Any
future decision on the Nullinga Dam in the Tablelands REgional Council
area will be made in the context of the Far North Queensland Regional
Water Supply Strategy which will require effective demand management
and increased re-use before further investigations into infrastructure
options.
The Queensland Government is committed to protecting and
securing our unique environemnt, as part of our vision for Toward Q2:
Tomorrow's Queensland.
Our Wild Rivers legislation aims to preserve the natural values of
Queensland rivers for Queensland and future generations.
In June 2008 the Bligh Government committed to finalise the declaration
of all 19 original wild rivers by the end of 2010.
So
far, Settlement Creek, Mornington Inlet and Gregory and Staaten Rivers
as well as streams on Hinchinbrook and Fraser Islands have been
declared Wild Rivers. In addition, The Lockhart, Stewart, Archer and
Wenlock Rivers were nominated for wild rivers listing in 2008.
It is
clear only a Labor Government will continue to deliver on the Wild
Rivers initiative - under a National Party government it is clear this
initiative would be lost.
The National Party have never supported
the Wild Rivers Act and continue to demonstrate their lack of
environmental leadership through their inaction and lack of policy in
this important area.
In contrast, the Bligh Government has outlined
a program to progress all remaining Cape York Wild Rivers that have
been committed to by 2010. This program was developed in consultation
with the Wilderness Society, Queensland Resources Council, Cape York
land Council, Balkanu, Cape York Development Association, Agforce, and
the Australian Conservation Foundation. This consultation is ongoing.
Futher Wild River declarations in other parts of the state are
currently under consideration.
In addition to our commitment to
implementing the Wild Rivers Act 2005 the Bligh Government has
delivered on the Wild River Rangers Program, employing 20 Wild River
Rangers across Cape York and the Gulf as part of the first stage of the
roll out of the Wild River Rangers program. Rangers working across the
region include:
- Two rangers working with the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation (based
at the Wenlock Outstation)
- Four rangers based at the Pormapuraaw Land and Sea Centre
- Three rangers at Mapoon
- Six rangers based in the GUld of Carpentaria at Doomadgee and
Burketown
- Three rangers working with the Carpentaria Land Council, based at
Normanton.
- One ranger working from the Kowanyama Aboriginal Land and Natural
Resource Management Office.
The Bligh government remains committed to employing the total 100 Wild
River rangers as new Wild Rivers are declared.
A
re-elected Bligh Governmet will also extend our ground-breaking WIld
Rivers protection program to south-west Queensland's channel counry.
Three rivers in south-west Queensland would be declared as wild rivers
if labor is reelected.
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| Steve Brech |
Never |
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b. Do you support the Wild Rivers
legislation and, if elected, would you work towards the declaration of
Queensland's
remaining Wild Rivers? |
| Steve Brech |
I think that some irrgation on the head waters of some of the rivers 100-150
hectares, must be allowed. Allowing pastoralists to have water for their
young cattle will save on transport costs and the carbon footprint of all
the people living on the cape. The Cape is not a Wilderness area. Of
course conservation of large areas is supported by myself and "The Greens".
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c. Do you commit to providing
ongoing funding of the Wild Rivers Indigenous Rangers Program?
Yes/No |
| Steve Brech |
Yes |
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Q9. Cape
York Peninsula:
a. If elected, will you support
World Heritage nomination for identified areas of Cape York Peninsula
with the
free, prior and informed consent agreement of Traditional Owners? Yes/No |
| Desley Boyle |
Yes |
| Steve Brech |
Yes, to a certain point I think that all
> parties must come to another agreement that includes the wishes of Balkanu
> & the CYI
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b. If elected, will you commit to
appropriate and ongoing resourcing of Indigenous employment to support
the
return of country to Traditional Owners? Yes/No |
| Desley Boyle |
Yes |
| Steve Brech |
Yes |
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Q10. Uranium
Mining:
Do you support a legislative
ban on uranium mining in Queensland? Yes/No |
| Desley Boyle |
Labor will maintain its oppsotion to urnanium mining in
Queensland. |
| Steve Brech |
Yes |
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Q11.
Campaign Transparency :
Can you provide a
list of the top five individuals, organisations or corporations that
have
donated to your campaign? |
| Desley Boyle |
Donations will be disclosed in accordance with the
Electoral Act. |
| Steve Brech |
Other than $3000 of "in kind support" from The QLD Greens to pay for signs &
HTV cards, $150 from my ex-wife and $50 from Alistair Hart. I have funded my
campaign myself.
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Q12.
Could you provide us with your published
environmental policies (web
reference if possible)? |
| Desley Boyle |
www.anna4qld.com |
| Steve Brech |
www.qld.greens.au
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