What we do
The Department of Environment and Resource Management manages our environment and natural environment for the benefit of all Queenslanders.
From promoting sustainable living and resource use, strengthening our response to climate change and using the latest science to underpin decision making, we aim to deliver long-term sustainability for the State's natural environment.
By planning for, allocating and managing our natural resources in a way that considers social, economic and environmental outcomes we can support economic growth and maintain our natural heritage for today and tomorrow.
Our key responsibilities include:
- Managing our natural environment for today and for future generations
- Climate change—meeting the challenge
- Environment—conserving our natural and cultural heritage
- Land—managing our land wisely
- Water—securing water for Queensland’s future.
Climate change… meeting the challenge
We are responsible for developing initiatives which ensure Queensland reduces its carbon footprint while also making sure the State is well-placed to meet the impacts of climate change.
The Queensland Centre for Climate Change Excellence (QCCCE) provides specific climate science and research on climate change impacts and addresses issues that are specifically relevant to Queensland.
The suite of ClimateSmart programs encourages householders and business to contribute to minimising the impacts of climate change by reducing their carbon emissions. This will help achieve the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 Green target: cut by one-third Queenslanders’ carbon footprint with reduced car and electricity use while also conserving water at home, work and in their communities.
Environment… conserving our natural and cultural heritage
We deal with a wide range of environmental matters including protecting air, water and soil quality, managing waste, vegetation management, preventing or controlling pollution, managing the State’s coastline and promoting sustainable industry.
We contribute to the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 Strong target: increase by 50 per cent the proportion of Queensland businesses undertaking research and development or innovation.
We build resilience in, and conserve, Queensland’s unique ecosystems, landscapes, marine environments and native flora and fauna and contribute towards the Queensland Government’s Q2 Green target: protect 50 per cent more land for nature conservation and public recreation.
Land... managing our land wisely
We manage and promote the sustainable use of the State’s land resources through the development of policies and programs which are designed to ensure healthy landscapes.
Our quality spatial information such as mapping, ownership, valuations and land tenure, enable effective planning and development of the State. Our land titles and registrations system provides security of freehold title and is one of the most effective in the world, contributing to the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 Strong target by providing infrastructure that anticipates growth.
We also manage stock routes, work with the Indigenous community to resolve native title issues, sell quarry materials and forest products from State lands and manage cultural heritage to preserve aspects of our history that we want to protect for future generations.
Water… securing water for Queensland's future
By developing water resource plans for catchment areas throughout the state we provide a secure and reliable system for supplying water to Queensland communities and contribute to the Queensland Government’s Toward Q2 Strong target by providing infrastructure that anticipates growth. This ensures this vital resource is managed and shared appropriately.
We help maintain sufficient water flow for healthy rivers and monitor surface and groundwater systems to check water levels and quality.
We also encourage more efficient use of water through pricing and trading systems and provide protection for unspoiled rivers as part of the Wild Rivers program.
Last updated: 10 September 2009