Councils given chance to have their say on ‘iconic’ legislation

More than 100 Queensland councils are being given the opportunity to have their say on plans to protect areas of the state regarded as iconic.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas today wrote to 118 councils seeking feedback on draft legislation to give even greater protection to places in Queensland with iconic values.

“Queenslanders are passionate about protecting their region’s natural beauty and way of life,” Mr Lucas said.

“The State Government is acknowledging that with the Iconic Queensland Places Bill.

“Under the proposed legislation, the State Government has the power to declare natural or built environmental features within current local government areas as iconic, meaning they have qualities that contribute substantially to helping define Queensland’s character.

“I want to make it clear to the community that this stage is about establishing the framework for nominating iconic areas, not choosing which specific places are iconic and how they’ll be protected.”

Mr Lucas encouraged councils and industry groups to have their say on the legislation before it is considered by Parliament early next year.

“This is about helping councils maintain planning consistency and if people are interested, they should approach their local government to discuss particular features that may be considered iconic.

“If an iconic place declaration is made, a local government will need to formally report on how amendments to existing planning schemes will affect declared iconic areas, and how they will address any negative impacts.”

Mr Lucas said the proposed legislation also established independent development assessment panels with the power to make a decision on a development application for premises in an iconic place.

“Those panels, of up to five people, would include community members, members with the technical expertise to assess development applications, and a councillor of the relevant local government,” Mr Lucas said.

“It won’t mean the end of progress, but will ensure appropriate development under the sort of local planning regimes the local community has grown to trust.

“And it will be using planning and development assessment by local government as the tool to drive this.”

“This legislation gives councils and communities the teeth to back up their existing planning schemes.

“The proposed legislation specifically seeks to declare the existing local government areas of Douglas and Noosa Shires as iconic, but all council areas to be amalgamated will have the chance to recommend areas of their own.

“This legislation will be in place before council elections next year and will ensure that Queensland’s natural or built treasures can be enjoyed by people today and in the future as well.”

Councils will be able to provide comment on the content of the draft legislation until January 21.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868