Sensible changes to strategic cropping land framework

The Newman Government has today announced common sense changes to Queensland’s strategic cropping land map that will provide ongoing protection for high quality agricultural land, and clarify where development can occur.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the updated map reflected changes in land use that had occurred since the map was first released.

“The Strategic Cropping Land (SCL) ‘trigger’ map identifies areas of Queensland that should be protected from development and maintained for food and fibre production,” Mr Cripps said.

“Under SCL legislation, developments that may affect the productive capacity of that land must go through special approval processes.

“However the original trigger map encompassed some areas that have subsequently been designated as ‘urban’ under regional plans. These areas are clearly no longer highly suitable for cropping.

“It has also come to light that the map extended into the Gemfields of central Queensland, land not highly suitable for cropping, which meant fossickers potentially had to apply under SCL regulations to fossick.”

Mr Cripps said today’s amendments to the trigger map had removed the Gemfields and other areas of land that were inadvertently identified in the original map, such as airports, dams, power stations and mine pits.

He said revisions had also been made to the SCL Standard Conditions Code for resource activities.

“These revisions will reduce the need for complex assessments and associated application fees for certain resource activities that pose a low risk of adversely impacting on strategic cropping land, or will have only a temporary impact.

“The revised code will expedite approval processes while ensuring appropriate management and protection of SCL remains firmly in place.”

Mr Cripps said additional amendments made to the Sustainable Planning Regulation would restore confidence to industries such as piggeries, poultry and egg production.

“These changes mean that piggery, poultry and egg production developments are treated the same as other intensive animal industries when it comes to development on Strategic Cropping Land and will no longer need an SCL assessment when proposed to be located on SCL or potential SCL.

“These are further examples of the way in which the Queensland Government is cutting red tape and reducing the regulatory burden on agribusiness.”

Further information about the changes and the strategic cropping land policies are available at www.dnrm.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 17 January 2013

Media contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754