Latest news with #QueenslandConservationCouncil
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Go back to drawing board': 2032 planning laws slammed
Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Blinding hypocrisy': Laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects come under fire
Controversial Queensland laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with the Crisafulli government told to 'go back to the drawing board'. An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the state government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March – more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation acts. The laws, which will cover all venues and athletes' villages, are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government – not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. But in submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. 'It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities,' the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
The Age
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Age
‘Blinding hypocrisy': Laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects come under fire
Controversial Queensland laws to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with the Crisafulli government told to 'go back to the drawing board'. An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the state government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March – more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation acts. The laws, which will cover all venues and athletes' villages, are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government – not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. But in submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. 'It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities,' the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing.
ABC News
5 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Queensland government commits more land to national parks, but still a long way short of target
The Queensland government will expand protected areas for the state's endangered species and "get serious" about managing the land with more rangers, Premier David Crisafulli has announced. About 8,700 hectares will be added to national park conservation areas, with about a quarter set aside for new nature refuges on private land under deals with landholders. While Mr Crisafulli conceded the numbers announced on Sunday were small — Queensland covers 172 million hectares — he said it was a start. "If we can increase that threshold of protected areas, it sends a strong message about how much we value the environment," he said. The Queensland government has set an "ambitious" target to protect more areas at a greater rate in one term than the previous government did in the past 10 years. Mr Crisafulli said the plan would include hiring 150 more wildlife rangers and committing more funding to groups that manage their resources. The announcement comes just days after environmentalists blasted the government's decision to open tenders for nine new areas of gas exploration. Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman called that decision "devastating and deceitful" and said it covered a much larger area than the total amount of protected land. About 8.59 per cent of the state — a total of 14.55 million hectares — is protected, a long way short of the government's target. "The Queensland government's protected areas strategy says we need to get to 17 per cent," Mr Copeman said. "We can't get there if we keep granting exploration permits for mining leases and gas over all of Queensland." Asked how the government's new gas exploration sat with its land protection strategy, Mr Crisafulli said it was "about balance". "Gas is going to become a really important part of our energy mix as part of the transition to a more renewable future," he said. He added that gas exploration would only be allowed in areas where there is "minimal environmental impact." Mr Crisafulli and Environment Minister Andrew Powell made their announcement at the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, south of Brisbane. Koalas are endangered in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT, where threats to them include habitat loss, disease, car strikes and dog attacks. "We've got some major populations of koalas that are in real threat if we don't do something," Mr Crisafulli said. The 18 new nature refuges include several that seek to protect koala habitat, partly by forming corridors to larger national parks. They include 184.3 hectares of land at Quad's Nature Refuge in Mackay and the new 21.4 hectare Rowlands Nature Refuge, west of Gympie. The largest of the protected parcels designated for koala habitat is the 1,372.49 hectare Parrattamow Creek Nature Refuge north-west of Augathella, north of Charleville. Koala conservation groups say valuable koala habitat is being destroyed by developers, who they claim are knocking down mature trees to build new infrastructure. Rebecca Larkin, from the Ipswich Koala Protection Society, said humans and koalas needed to co-exist and good planning could allow both to thrive. "All the scientists agree that if we keep going the way we're going, there aren't going to be any left in south-east Queensland," Ms Larkin said. The government will announce its 20-year tourism vision on Monday, with one eye on the Olympics in 2032 and the huge influx of visitors expected to visit the state. Promoting the state's natural beauty is expected to form part of the tourism strategy.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Environmentalists slam new gas exploration sites
Environmentalists have slammed a state government's decision to open nine new gas exploration sites, claiming it will only support the international market. The Queensland government will open the new fields spanning 16,000 square kilometres across the state to tap into further gas reserves. The fields will span Cooper, Eromanga, Bowen and Surat basins in the state's regions using conventional gas extraction methods and coal seam gas. Resources Minister Dale Last said the exploration sites will be vital to finding a new supply to meet the growing demand for energy across Australia amid fears of blackouts along the east coast. "The best way to bring down energy prices is to have more energy in the market, and that starts with exploration," Mr Last said in a statement. "These steps are about unlocking new supply, securing an investment pipeline and getting the right policy settings in place so Queensland can lead the way on energy security." The Australian Energy Market Operator has previously issued blackout warnings in NSW and Queensland during summer due to high electricity demand and hot temperatures. Natural gas accounted for more than a quarter of Australia's total energy consumption in 2022-23, with 1518 petajoules used. Mr Last said "unscientific" decisions made by southern states have left Queensland carrying the load for the east coast gas market, leading to the need for more exploration. "We need a regulatory framework that supports new development, instead of holding it back," he said. But environmentalists have called the announcement devastating and deceitful. "The government should be ashamed to look Queenslanders impacted by climate-fuelled disasters in the eye, and pretend that they care," Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said. Gas is Queensland's second-largest export behind coal, with the state producing 1550 petajoules of coal seam gas to supply both the international and domestic markets in 2024. Mr Copeman said it is a false narrative that the new exploration sites will support other states and territories when the bulk of the gas is exported. "No company is planning to pipe gas from the Bowen basin to Melbourne," he said. Other environmental advocates also say the announcement will only benefit multinational gas companies instead of Queenslanders. "The vast majority of Queensland's gas is destined for export, not for domestic use," Lock the Gate's Ellen Roberts said. She called for an urgent moratorium on the gas expansions to prevent any possible damage to the land and underground water resources regional communities rely on. The state government also announced it will carry out a three-month land release review starting on Wednesday to consider opening more gas exploration sites. The review is set to look at the needs of the energy market as well as the environmental and community impacts. It will consider changes to the land release expression of interest process, the land release area selection process, and the competitive tender process. The state government's gas expansion decision follows a previous pledge to scrap ambitious emissions reduction targets, ordering a review of the legislation. The former Labor government legislated 50 per cent emissions reduction targets by 2030, and 75 per cent by 2035. The Liberal National government has said it is committed to net zero by 2050.
