Queensland Coastal Plan. Presented by John Lane Director Environment Planning

Queensland Coastal Plan Presented by John Lane Director Environment Planning

Queensland Coastal Plan - Status Released 7 April 2011, but NOT YET IN EFFECT Formatting & operational amendments required Yet to be made under the Coastal or Sustainable Planning Acts. Enabling amendments to Coastal Act proclaimed 5 May 2011 Regulations (to establish coastal management district) yet to be made Late August commencement expected

Revised coastal protection regime Narrows policy & geographic scope of Coastal Plan Specifies responsibilities for coastal land managers Closely aligns with Planning reform agenda SPA regional plans to deliver strategic outcomes LPIs to manage development Removal of regional coastal management plans Incorporates statutory mapping Coastal zone; coastal management district maritime and aquaculture development areas areas of ecological significance coastal hazard areas Establishes climate change factors in policy.

Coastal Zone and Coastal Management District Revised coastal zone defines where Coastal Act and Plan applies: All Qld coastal/tidal waters Land within 5 km of the coast, or that is at 10 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD)-whichever is further Coastal management district defines DERM s concurrence area: All Qld coastal/tidal waters Erosion prone area Near shore features of significance such as coastal wetlands Inland boundaries of CZ and CMD aligned with property boundaries.

State Policy Coastal Management Directed at land managers Addresses activities that are not development under SPA Policy outcomes cover: Protecting natural coastal processes and ecological values Buildings and infrastructure on the coast Management of access to and use of coastal resources (e.g. 4wd on beaches) Preference for integrated local area management plans Monitoring & review Knowledge sharing Community engagement

State Planning Policy Issues Policy outcomes address: Urban settlement pattern Coastal hazards Nature Conservation Scenic amenity Public access Coastal-dependent land uses Canals and artificial waterways

Policies for Planning Instruments Consolidation of urban settlement Avoiding linear settlement pattern New urban areas to be outside coastal hazard areas Coastal hazard adaptation strategies for existing urban localities in high risk coastal hazard areas New urban areas to be outside areas of high ecological significance Areas of scenic preference to be protected Land on the coast to be preferentially allocated for coastal-dependent uses

Coastal hazards Climate change factors (2100 planning horizon; 0.8 metre sea level rise; 10% increase in 1:100 storm event;) Planning schemes to avoid allocating new urban areas in hazard areas. Changes from policies proposed by draft coastal plan include: Climate factors subject to review linked to IPCC reviews Risk assessments proposed to manage approval of intensification (increased dwelling densities) in medium hazard areas Allowances for small to medium tourism development (as defined by regional plans) and mixed development within maritime development areas. Sunday Mail. 31 May 2009. Pg 27. Adaptation strategies to manage approval of intensification (increased dwelling densities) in high hazard areas Photo: Bradman Ave Maroochydore Sunshine Coast Regional Council

Coastal hazard area maps 22 Map1: Erosion prone areas (permanent inundation by 2100) a. areas of inundation from 1:100 storms b. areas of inundation due to sea level rise

Coastal hazard area maps Map 2: Storm tide (temporary) inundation areas by 2100 a. areas inundated to a depth greater than 1m b. areas inundated to a depth less than 1m

Storm tide impact Cardwell 2.3m storm tide

TC Yasi Storm tide and surge Cardwell 2.3m HAT storm tide, 5.3m storm surge

Nature conservation Areas of ecological significance (HES) identified on maps both high (HES) and general (GES) Generally HES areas are to be protected from development Where exceptions to allow development despite HES, development is to minimise adverse effects and offset remaining impacts Proposed code requirements allow for ground-truthing to determine development assessment outcome Other ecological values to be conserved.

Nature conservation continued.. Changes from policies proposed by draft coastal plan include: marine areas: marine park zonings (yellow, dark blue, light blue), dugong protection areas, fish habitat areas complement existing regulatory provisions for these areas general ecological significance (GES) mapping and policies consistent with SPA regional plan policy statements HES policy essentially mirrors Far North Queensland Regional Plan HES mapping refined and consistent with Areas of Ecological Significance Mapping data maintained by DERM.

Access to the coast Public access to the coast Public expectation reflected in draft plan Development not to result in reduced access unless safety/ security issues Development to enhance public access, e.g. providing public spaces such as boardwalks Policy to allow private common law access to private land abutting a tidal waterway retained References to developed/undeveloped waterways removed. Changes from draft coastal plan include Residential, tourist and retail development within maritime development areas to be separated from tidal waters by publicly accessible areas.

Scenic amenity Natural character of the coast is to be maintained or enhanced Policy does not apply in urbanised context Scenic character assessed when viewed from the foreshore Scenic preference ratings (SPR) used as proxy for scenic amenity adopted from SEQ Regional Plan Policy does not apply to ports or airports; maritime or aquaculture development areas; for minor public maritime infrastructure SPRs of 9 or 10 out of 10. NORTH STRADBROKE ISLAND Source: Tourism Queensland SPR of 6 or 7 North STRADBROKE ISLAND Source: Place Design SPR less than 5 WOODY POINT Source: John.Mewett@woodypointqueensland.com

Coastal-dependent development Separate policies for minor, major marine infrastructure and ports Material removed from land above HAT or artificial waterways is not to be disposed of in tidal waters Reclamation only to occur in ports or designated maritime development areas Separate provisions for aquaculture development Approved aquaculture sites mapped as aquaculture development areas New canals and lock & weir artificial waterways can only be established inside maritime development areas and ports.

Maritime Development Areas (MDAs) Facilitates mid-large scale mixed use maritime development Development is to be predominantly for maritime purposes Non-maritime development is to be predominantly commercial Existing maritime development and current approvals/zones, etc. mapped as MDAs New maritime development areas to be identified using planning process Cassowary Coast to be the first MDA planning study

Acceptable circumstances for not fully achieving the policies Overriding need in the public interest Development commitment Preliminary or development approval In a State Development Area (consistent development scheme) Coordinator-general approvals and Government approvals of major transport infrastructure included Consistent with designated community infrastructure Public benefit asset Transport infrastructure (excludes maritime infrastructure) Aeronautical facilities of State significance (as per SPP1/02) Emergency service facilities Domestic gas pipelines and electricity infrastructure Essential community service infrastructure

Seeking more information? www.derm.qld.gov.au/coastalplan Get a map of a coastal zone property Get a copy of the government approved version and more. Please direct all enquiries to coastal.support@derm.qld.gov.au