The current South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 includes North Maclean as an identified growth area whose future proposed land use or zoning is Enterprise Precinct.
In the previous plan the area was labelled an investigation area. The planning language or jargon is misleading as investigation is still required - but the community is still waiting to see background studies for other planning decisions. Without broad community consultation governments have made poor decisions.
People power persuaded the former Beaudesert Shire Council to reverse their hasty decision to suggest an Enterprise Precinct at North Maclean. These scans of council documents record that victory to the local residents. bsc_mr_3april2007_nmep.pdf 488.29 Kb and bsc_090-080-000005_nmep.pdf 376.48 Kb 22/03/2009, 23:06
Read the letter sent by former Beaudesert Shire Council to the Office of Urban Management and the reply to them. Has this information been conveyed to Logan City Council? Have the potentially affected landowners had an opportunity to discuss their concerns with Logan councillors? Recently acquired copies of this correspondence - after months of asking - are published here in the public domain.
nmepbsc_to_oum.pdf 338.29 Kb 28/03/2009, 10:01
nmepoum_to_bsc.pdf 332.11 Kb 28/03/2009, 10:04
A recent meeting with Cr Lynne Clarke is commented upon by Jimboomba Times reporter who also attended the meeting. Read his comments here. north_maclean_issues_remain.pdf 133.95 Kb 28/03/2009, 13:32
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT PLANNED FOR YOUR LOCAL AREA?
SEE OUR ADVERTISEMENT HERE laca_ad_submissions_seqrp.pdf 58.67 Kb 15/03/2009, 22:48
Dear Resident,
In 2004, the South-east Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP) was released by the State Government to plan development and growth in South-east Queensland. The plan declared the Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert area as an investigation area. In October 2005, a plan considering the development and urban footprint for the Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert area was released to the public for community comments and amendments were made to the 2004 SEQRP . The South-east Queensland Regional Plan is intended to be reviewed every 5 years, and the plan is currently being reviewed (earlier than originally planned) and is now out for another round of community consultation that closes on 3rd April 2009.
In the Mt Lindesay North Beaudesert area, the SEQRP includes large developments proposed for
1. Park Ridge - urban, commercial, industry, enterprise precinct
2. North Maclean - light industry and offices
3. Greenbank - urban with high density living, transit oriented communities
4. Flagstone - urban, plus others
5. Yarrabilba - urban plus others
6. Chambers Flat/Stockleigh/Jimboomba - Southern Infrastructure Corridor (rail/road)
7. Browns Plains/Park Ridge South/Chambers flat/ Stockleigh - Proposed Gateway Motorway Extension
8. Bahrs Scrub - urban growth
The development proposed for the areas 1-8 above are the same as they were 4 years ago .
Submissions / letters expressing your points of concern or support for what is proposed are due by 3 April 2009.
Here is the link for the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
Queensland's economy has been based on many polluting industries taking us on a crash course towards climate catastrophe. Clean and green industries exist such as those based on renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water management, sustainable food production and eco-tourism to name a few. These can deliver new green jobs for Queenslanders. Queensland needs a stronger biodiversity protection framework, a commitment to sustainable water policies and a legislated ban on uranium mining.
Queensland's State of the Region Report had little positive to report. Link comming soon.
Australian Conservation Foundation ACF is keeping a close eye the policy announcements of the major parties - but we can all help to put the pressure on over the next weeks until 21 March 2009. Consider taking action now by doing some of the following -
1. Visit ACF website to find out more about the CONSERVATION policies ACF is calling for
2. Write a letter to your local newspaper
3. Call talk back radio
4. Call or visit the office of your local candidates to ask about their commitments to the environment
5. Tell all your friends about the issues
ACF will be publishing a scorecard of the major parties policy commitments to the environment in the week leading up to the election - stay tuned!
The common use of acronyms in planning documents and other professional or specialized areas can be confusing for the new reader to that subject. Shorthening a lengthy expression by saying the first letter of each word is a common occurrence in Australian language. The website acronymnfinder may be useful to help understand. SEQIRTP is here. Those who ride bicycles undoubtedly know what BUGs are.
If you are reading any of the documents attached to the South East Queensland Regional Plan or SEQRP this website may be of assistance if the acronym is not clear from the context of the document. Further links are sometimes included eg TOD or Transit Oriented Development (land development designed to encourage mass transit use) links to an article here.
A new survey of 265 housing markets around the world finds Australia has three of the five most unaffordable ones. This includes Sydney at position five, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast in South East Queensland. Australia's housing price bubble is almost the only one in the world that has not yet burst.
The Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey http://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf looked at markets in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. It compared median house prices with median household incomes to arrive at a ``median multiple''. An affordable multiple is 3. Sydney came up with a whopping 8.3.
Tanberg's cartoon gives one perspective. The topic is the subject of Sydney Morning Herald blog which states that Australia's housing price bubble is almost the only one in the world that has not yet burst. Read it here. Of course this is a complex issue and one on which we will all have our own opinion. Many comments have been written here. Personally I agree with Termite's view
Firstly, in this arid continent, which only has about 7% arable land, we should quarantine good farming sites from housing development. To build on our best and most accessible farmland is short-sighted. We are doing it all over the country.
ABC news disagrees with findings of the survey. Read Housing affordability not as bad as survey claims: analyst which claim is challenged by some in the comments. To me, Dr Shlomo Angel's report seems to be advocating conservative enthusiastic support for urban sprawl.
Housing for humans without destroying habitat for other species is a challenge all Australians face now. As is having enough food to feed us all.
In South East Queensland, the government identified 42 greenfield areas. These areas are distributed equitably across the region, amongst local governments and developers. The areas do not have specific boundaries or addresses. Rather, they are general localities or ‘nodes' where development could occur. As more detailed planning occurs, the boundaries will be refined. The areas are supposed to encroach into the inter-urban breaks of the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
The Department of Infrastructure and Planning DIP has an extensive complex website. Information about greenfield sites begins here and here. The locations are illustrated in the Delivering the Queensland Housing Affordability Strategy - Greenfield land supply in South East Queensland action plan.
Draft regional plan 2009-2031 chapters can be downloaded from here.
The draft South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Plan and the draft state planning regulatory provisions are open for submissions from December 2008 to 3 April 2009.
For details on how to have your say see detailed advice here.
INQUIRY INTO SMART GROWTH AND TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT TO REDUCE CAR DEPENDENCY IN SEQ was announced on 21 November 2008. Submissions closd 16 January 2009.
The Travelsafe Committee of the 52nd Parliament is inquiring into Smart Growth and Transit Oriented Development to reduce car dependency in South East Queensland. In this inquiry the committee will investigate and report on:
The current Queensland government lead by Premier Bligh is proposing a vision for Queensland in 2020 called Towards Q2. Do you share the same vision? What is important to you and your community? This link takes you to the website for Tomorrow's Queensland where you can read what Queenslanders have said already at the several community forums held around the state. Three more forums are planned - last one in SEQ is 3 November at Yeronga in Brisbane. Go online for details to register. Last forum is 5 November - so use the date to be guided for closing date for ideas to have your say.
Fill in the online form which guides you to comment on the the 2 targets nominated by the Bligh government team for each area of economy, environment, education, health and communities. OR you can mail directly to the Premier at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Where do toxic industries fit in this vision? Not mentioned. Where does farming and food security fit in? Not mentioned. What does 50% more mean for nature conservation and public recreation? Is that measurable? Your input can help to address your concerns. Lets find out if the government hears what we say!
The comments from the Logan forum are available here. All feedback is here.
The SouthEast Queensland Regional Plan Review - 12 months earlier than originally planned is expected beginning December 2008. This will involve more "community consultation" opportunities. Please try to find time to participate in sharing ideas and growing our children's future on our single planet.
Hon Andrew McNamara MP Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation says in the foreword:
The policy establishes a framework for using environmental offsets in Queensland. It provides principles and guidelines for applying and developing more detailed ‘specific-issue' offsets policies for important environmental values such as vegetation and fish habitat. Environmental impacts from development must first be avoided and if not avoidable then minimised. Environmental offsets may be used to counterbalance any
remaining loss of environmental values. The policy will ensure that offsets are used consistently and transparently across the State, as a last line of environmental preservation response. The full document can be read here.
In response to expressed community concerns Mr Kevin Lingard, member for Beaudesert raised a QUESTION ON NOTICE Wednesday 30 April 2008 as follows.
Joint Statement:
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Paul Lucas
04/06/2008
BLIGH GREENFIELD STUDY REVEALS LAND, LOTS OF LAND
Premier Anna Bligh today announced the State Government would fast-track planning for development of 17 greenfield sites in South-East Queensland, as part of its plan to tackle housing affordability.
Ms Bligh said while the Government was limited in its ability to influence housing prices, she was determined to do everything possible to tackle the issue of affordability.
"I want the Australian dream to be alive and well here in Queensland, particularly for young people wanting to own their first home. Yesterday we announced significant changes to stamp duty to make buying a home in Queensland cheaper and today, we are tackling the issue of land supply. Last year as Treasurer and Infrastructure Minister I commissioned a review of the Greenfield areas within the Urban Footprint that could be market-ready sooner.
"I want to see land being turned into new homes for Queenslanders as quickly as humanly possible and this investigation looked at 42 greenfield areas - containing more than 40,000ha of undeveloped land. As a result - the Government will remove any regulatory hurdles slowing the development process on 12 sites:
• Maroochydore, Meridian Plains, on the Sunshine Coast;
• Market Drive and North Lakes in Moreton Bay;
• Upper Kedron and Rochedale in Brisbane;
• Coomera and Helensvale on the Gold Coast;
• Springfield and Redbank Plains in Ipswich; and
• Kinross Road and South-East Thornlands in Redlands.
"This will make it possible for the industry to begin the development process of these sites by Christmas.
"In addition, there are five sites where we believe integrated communities of 15,000 people or more can be delivered and we will work with councils to prepare land developer-ready within 12 months:
• Palm View and Caloundra South on the Sunshine Coast;
• Flagstone in Logan;
• Oxle y Wedge in Brisbane; and
• Ripley Valley in Ipswich
"That's a total of 17 new Greenfield sites that will be developer-ready by this time next year.
"This is about cutting red tape and bottlenecks that are delaying the development process.
"These bottlenecks are occurring at all levels of government - including within State Government agencies - and its not good enough.
"An implementation team will be established with the Department of Infrastructure and Planning charged with the task of cutting through and removing these hurdles.
"The development industry has been calling on us to make more land in the Urban Footprint available sooner - here it is," she said.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the fast tracking of Greenfield sites will be guided by an Action Plan released today.
"Housing affordability is a challenge that demands action not just at all levels of Governme nt but also from the development industry," said Mr Lucas.
"The industry wants more land released and the Bligh Government has responded with a plan that will provide additional housing choice for the public and contain costs by increasing competition between developers.
"But governments can't do it all alone and we can only bring these sites forward if the necessary infrastructure is in place.
"Yesterday we announced the $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program, which demonstrates our commitment to building for Queensland's future.
"Now we need to work with the industry to deliver these sites ahead of time.
"They will also need to demonstrate how they plan to deliver the transport options, road upgrades, water and energy needs for these areas.
"These sites must all be developed as well-planned and integrated communities and the State Government will need to ensure growth is spread across the regions.
"Although the review shows plenty of greenfield land available for housing it must be emphasised the South East Queensland Regional Plan aims to cater for 45 percent of the expected population growth through infill and redevelopment."
"This review is another one of the State Government's strategies to address housing affordability in addition to setting up the Urban Land Development Authority and implementing reforms to the state's planning and development systems."
Queensland Conservation Council's release by Simon Baltais sums up our position also.
Premier ignoring message from last local elections
The Premier's intention to fast track more development - supposedly in the name of housing affordability- is further eroding community trust in her government, according to Queensland Conservation (QCC)
'The planning process is in place, not to stop development but to ensure that development is the right and most appropriate development. Today's decision to fast track development under the misconception it will fix the housing affordability problem is just plain wrong,' said Baltais
Unsustainable population growth is driving the housing affordability problem and yet the state government is encouraging more growth. In doing so they are causing the continued loss of urban bushland, farmland and open spaces to accommodate more roofs and bitumen. Effectively, everyone loses.
If you want to solve the housing affordability issue look towards stabilsation of SEQ growth. What is planned is like throwing fuel onto the fire, it will only make matters worse in SEQ.
‘Community concerns about unsustainable growth, were made loud and clear during the recent local government elections,' said Baltai
This week has not brought good news for the environment in Queensland, according to Queensland Conservation (QCC) and Logan and Albert Conservation agrees. Although climate change is acknowledged by the government as its biggest economic and environmental challenge, it was astonishing that the budget contained no new climate related funding.
The government has committed to a National Emissions Trading Scheme which will, when introduced, force major polluters to reduce their emissions. It will also impact upon small-medium business and Queensland residential consumers, through increased energy costs. This budget was the opportunity to correct that problem and support business and residential consumers to reduce their greenhouse emissions, save energy and save money before the ETS was introduced. With the exception of an innovative Home Energy Service, there is nothing new for either sector. Even the Home Energy Service-funded from an existing climate change fund- is paltry. It will service 260,000 homes over two years. Queensland has about 3 million homes.
The coal industry is the big winner: Premier Beattie may have extracted $600 million for clean coal from the industry, but Premier Bligh has now given that back through a $600 million royalty deduction.
The international coal industry profit from the climate mess, why should the Queensland public subsidise the clean up?
All this is in stark contrast and out of sync with global news.
The United Nations urged the world on Thursday 5 June to kick the habit of producing carbon dioxide, saying everyone must act to fight climate change.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said global warming was becoming the era's defining issue and would hurt rich and poor.
"Our world is in the grip of a dangerous carbon habit," Ban said in a statement on World Environment Day, which is being marked by events around the globe and hosted by the New Zealand city of Wellington.
"Addiction is a terrible thing. It consumes and controls us, makes us deny important truths and blinds us to the consequences of our actions," he said in the speech to reinforce this year's World Environment Day theme of "CO2 Kick the Habit."
World Environment Day, conceived in 1972, is the United Nations' principal day to mark global green issues and aims to give a human face to environmental problems and solutions.
New Zealand, which boasts snow-capped mountains, pristine fjords and isolated beaches used as the backdrop for the "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy, has pledged to become carbon-neutral.
"We take pride in our clean, green identity as a nation and we are determined to take action to protect it. We appreciate that protecting the climate means behaviour change by each and every one of us," said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.
New Zealand staged art and street festivals to spread the message on how people can reduce carbon usage. In Australia, Adelaide Zoo staged a wild breakfast for corporate leaders to focus on how carbon emissions threaten animal habitats.
Britain urged individuals to take action and the Environment Agency called on people to be prepared for more flooding, to use less water and protect wildlife.
Global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels are rising quickly and scientists predict rising seas, melting glaciers and more intense storms, droughts and floods as the planet warms. A summit of G8 nations in Japan next month (July 2008) is due to formalise a goal agreed a year ago that global carbon emissions should be reduced by 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
But some nations want a reduction of 80 percent of carbon emissions by 2050 to try to stabilize CO2 concentrations in the air to limit global warming.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said climate change was already a reality: "We have been experiencing the worst drought in living memory and our inland rivers are running dry. "We are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent on 2000 levels by 2050. We will implement emissions trading as the primary mechanism for achieving this target," he said in a statement.
The U.N. Environment Program said greening the world's economy would cost as little as a few tenths of global GDP annually over 30 years and would be a driving force for innovation, new businesses and employment.
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