Community response shapes Cape York plan

The Queensland Government has taken the next step in implementing the draft Cape York Regional Plan at a meeting in Cairns.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney chaired the fourth meeting of the Cape York Regional Planning Committee as part of on-going consultation on the draft Plan.

“Our Government promised to introduce a land use plan that would provide genuine economic opportunities for Cape York communities, as well as protecting important environmental areas,” Mr Seeney said.

“Labor’s emotively-named Wild Rivers Act was a shameless grab for green votes, created by politicians, but we have ensured those who live on the Cape have a real say in the planning decisions that affect their lives.

“We received more than 6,000 submissions to the draft Cape York Plan representing a wide-range of views and we will continue to engage with Cape residents to ensure our plan reflects their wishes.

“There will be an ongoing opportunity to add other protected areas to this Plan at a later date, but that will be done on a case-by-case basis as communities decide it is warranted.

“The Cape York Regional Planning Committee includes representatives from all local governments on Cape York, Balkanu, Cape York Development Corporation and Cape York Partnerships.”

Mr Seeney said, unlike Labor, the Queensland Government has introduced proper planning processes on the Cape, that are exactly the same as those that apply across the rest of the state.

“Those planning processes take into account the special circumstances of Cape York," he said.

"Community driven Town plans will determine the majority of development in the Cape, while the Regional Plan will control land use outside those areas.

“A Regional Interest Development Approval will be required for resource development, broadacre cropping and infrastructure development within controlled areas.

“Just as we did on the Darling Downs and in Central Queensland, we have worked with the Cape York community to identify areas where land use needs to be controlled. 

“In this instance, the Cape community has very clearly said to us that it wants to determine the most appropriate development for the area.

“In line with that feedback we will plan to protect sensitive river and stream courses, and leave other areas available to provide economic opportunities for Cape residents, especially indigenous communities.”

Member for Cook and chair of a recent government forum on the draft Regional Plan, David Kempton, said the community clearly articulated its desire to find the right balance between economic, environmental and community considerations in the Plan.

“In the 30 years I have been involved with Cape York, this is the first time I have seen broad agreement in its future direction and I am pleased to be part of a government that has not only listened to the people but has acted on their wishes,” Mr Kempton said.

Gerhardt Pearson, Executive Director of the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, said he was pleased the Queensland Government has released more areas of the Cape for responsible economic development.

“We are pleased to see that privately held Indigenous land has been largely excluded from inclusion within the Strategic Environmental Areas in the plan,” Mr Pearson said.

“The previous plan imposed an obligation on thousands of square kilometres of privately owned Indigenous land to be managed for its environmental and conservation values as Strategic Environmental Areas.

“We told the Queensland Government its plan was flawed and they have responded.

“While we are keen to see the detail of the revised draft Plan, we are encouraged by the State Government’s renewed focus on economic self-determination for indigenous communities.”

Peter Scott, Mayor of the Cook Shire based in the community of Cooktown, said the changes the State Government has made to the draft Plan respected the wishes of the residents of the Cape.

“This Regional Plan has now been defined by those who call Cape York home,” Mr Scott said.

“The Cook Shire applauds the initiative to keep options open for business and employment growth, with environmental and cultural sensitivities being identified and respected within individual council planning schemes and approval processes.”

Mr Seeney emphasised that he will continue the conversation with Cape communities to ensure the draft Plan reflects their needs.

“I have undertaken to meet with the Cape York Regional Planning Committee once a year to review the necessity for other areas to be protected through mechanisms such as Strategic Environmental Areas,” Mr Seeney said.

“Any new proposed additional Strategic Environmental areas will need to have undergone tenure resolution processes and have agreement from the Local Government and Traditional Owners.

“Any future additional Strategic Environmental Areas will be made as an amendment to the Cape York Regional Plan and will be subject to 30 business days statutory consultation.”

For more information on the plan, visit www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/cape-york

[ENDS] 14 May 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744