Queensland Coastal Plan

Queensland Coastal Plan
Name	Queensland Coastal Plan
Jurisdiction	Queensland
Type	Planning instrument
Status	Active
Commenced	2015
Administered by	Department of Environment and Science (Queensland)

Queensland Coastal Plan

The Queensland Coastal Plan is a regional planning instrument addressing coastal development, hazard mitigation, conservation, and community resilience across Queensland. It coordinates statutory instruments, strategic assessments, and site-level approvals to integrate coastal engineering, environmental protection, and Indigenous cultural heritage outcomes near the Coral Sea, Great Barrier Reef, and riverine deltas such as the Fitzroy River. The plan informs interactions among state agencies, local governments like the Brisbane City Council, and national frameworks such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Overview and Purpose

The plan sets objectives for land use, risk reduction, and asset protection along the Queensland coastline, balancing development pressures from sectors including mining in Queensland, tourism in Queensland, and agriculture in Queensland with conservation goals for places like the Great Sandy National Park and Moreton Bay Marine Park. It provides direction for infrastructure projects linked to agencies such as Queensland Reconstruction Authority and aligns with bilateral agreements involving the Australian Government and state instruments like the Planning Act 2016 (Queensland). The purpose includes reducing exposure to coastal hazards identified after events such as Cyclone Marcia and 2010–11 Queensland floods.

Legislative and Policy Framework

The plan operates within a legal matrix involving the Planning Act 2016 (Queensland), the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Queensland), and Commonwealth legislation including the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Policy linkages extend to strategies from agencies such as the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australia), and regional instruments like the South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031. It references standards from bodies such as Standards Australia and integrates guidance stemming from inquiries like the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

Coastal Management and Planning Measures

Measures include coastal hazard mapping, setback criteria influenced by studies from universities such as the University of Queensland and the James Cook University, and engineering guidelines for erosion control used by firms linked to the Australian Institute of Engineers. Spatial tools include overlays for habitats like mangrove forests, seagrass beds in Moreton Bay, and nesting sites for species listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 such as the flatback turtle and green sea turtle. Land-use instruments coordinate with local planning schemes from councils including Townsville City Council and Cairns Regional Council to manage coastal subdivisions, ports like Port of Brisbane, and shoreline structures.

Environmental and Cultural Considerations

The plan embeds consideration for World Heritage values of the Great Barrier Reef and incorporates cultural heritage obligations under instruments such as the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Queensland), engaging Traditional Owner groups including the Yidinji people and Turrbal people. Environmental assessments reference ecological research from institutions like the Australian Institute of Marine Science and conservation NGOs including the WWF-Australia and Australian Conservation Foundation. It addresses threatened species listings from the IUCN Red List and site-based protections for Ramsar wetlands such as the Moreton Bay Ramsar Site.

Implementation, Governance and Stakeholders

Implementation relies on coordination among state agencies like the Department of Environment and Science (Queensland), statutory authorities such as the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and local councils including Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Stakeholders include industry groups like the Queensland Resources Council, community organisations such as the Local Government Association of Queensland, and research partners like the CSIRO. Funding and delivery intersect with federal programs administered by the Australian Government and disaster recovery mechanisms post-events such as Cyclone Yasi.

Monitoring, Compliance and Adaptation

Monitoring frameworks use indicators drawn from programs like the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority monitoring and long-term ecological research networks coordinated with the National Environmental Science Program. Compliance mechanisms include development approvals, enforcement by local councils, and referrals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Adaptive measures incorporate sea-level rise scenarios from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and engineering responses trialled in projects involving the Australian Coastal Society.

Historical Development and Revisions

The plan evolved from earlier instruments under the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Queensland) and policy reforms following major events such as the 2009 Brisbane floods and the 2010–11 Queensland floods. Revisions have reflected reports from inquiries including the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry and scientific syntheses from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Stakeholder-driven amendments have been negotiated through consultations involving Traditional Owner corporations, local councils like Whitsunday Regional Council, and industry representatives such as the Ports Australia.

Category:Environment of Queensland Category:Coastal management in Australia