What we do
- Leading environmental recovery
- Meeting the challenge of climate change
- Conserving and enhancing the natural environment, ecosystems and cultural heritage
- Water… securing water for Queensland's future
- Managing Queensland’s land
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) conserves, protects and manages the state’s environment and natural resources for today and for future generations.
We do this by administering natural resource management and environmental protection legislation on behalf of the Queensland Government and by working collaboratively with government, business, industry and communities to conserve natural values, improve environmental performance, reduce pollution and encourage sustainable natural resource management behaviours.
Our department supports and participates in the State Government’s plan for the future – Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland. Our enduring principles and values guide how we conduct our business, ensuring we lead the way in conserving and managing the state’s natural resources and environment and progress the Toward Q2 ambitions.
Our key responsibilities include:
- leading environmental recovery under Operation Queenslander
- meeting the challenge of climate change
- conserving and enhancing the state’s natural environment, ecosystems and cultural heritage
- securing safe and reliable water for Queensland’s future
- managing Queensland’s land resources wisely.
Leading environmental recovery
We lead the coordination of the Environmental phase of Operation Queenslander, the state-level Community, Economic and Environmental Recovery and Reconstruction Plan in response to natural disasters of late 2010/early 2011.
Our specialist environmental recovery coordination unit works closely with representatives from local government, environmental, conservation and regional natural resource management body representatives to ensure that the planned recovery projects are put into action.
Some key projects include:
- Reopening national parks that were damaged as a result of the disasters.
- Assisting threatened wildlife such as supporting cassowary populations with food.
- Monitoring marine health
- Overseeing strict compliance programs to ensure coal seam gas and mining industries return to environment compliance.
Meeting the challenge of climate change
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 provides specific climate science and research on climate change impacts and addresses issues that are specifically relevant to Queensland.
A suite of ClimateSmart programs encourage householders and business to contribute to minimising the impacts of climate change by reducing their carbon emissions. This will help contribute towards achieving 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.
Conserving and enhancing the natural environment, ecosystems 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”.
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.
Managing Queensland’s land
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 Indigenous communities 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.
Last updated 22 July 2011