June 19, 2014
The State Government says it has “restored balance” over competing land uses with the new Regional Planning Interests Act 2014.
Deputy Premier and Member for Callide Jeff Seeney said the legislation introduced a clear process to assess mining and gas developments, creating certainty for both the agriculture and resource industries.
“The new process restores balance, creates an incentive for agreements to be reached and a disincentive for court action,” Mr Seeney said.
“This law, which came into effect this week, was the culmination of commitment and persistence from agricultural and resource groups and landholders in both Central Queensland and the Darling Downs. I thank all these parties for their input.”
The new Regulation that underpins the Regional Planning Interests Act 2014 is now available online
The Act implements policies included in Statutory Regional Plans which are being rolled out across the State.
The plans recognise four areas of regional interest:
- Priority Agricultural Areas
- Priority Living Areas
- Strategic Environmental Areas
- Strategic Cropping Areas (formerly Strategic Cropping Land).
Under the new legislation, proponents of resource activities who can reach agreement with the landowner may not need to apply for a Regional Interests Development Approval.
“The assessment process has been developed to restore the balance of power between rural producers and resource companies,” he said.
“It provides the strongest incentive yet for resource proponents to reach agreement with landholders about how best to configure their activities on a property.
“Resource companies can no longer gain access to the property by proceeding directly to the Land Court after 40 days, should a landholder in a Priority Agricultural Area or Strategic Cropping Area not agree to a proposed activity.
“And where an agreement cannot be reached, the largest imposition the State will make on landholders, in order to access resources beneath the land for the benefit of the community, is 2 per cent in Priority Agricultural Areas or Strategic Cropping Areas.
“The Regulation also prepares for the repeal of the Wild Rivers Act as it prescribes Strategic Environmental Areas for Cape York, Channel Country, Gulf Rivers, Fraser Island, and Hinchinbrook Island.
“The Wild Rivers policy objective to protect these special environmental areas can be more effectively implemented through this new Act. We have the strong support of the Cape York Regional Planning Committee for this approach.”
