Implementing State and regional coastal plans
The department, in collaboration with relevant State government agencies and consultation with representative coastal local governments and the Coastal Protection Advisory Council has prepared two guidelines to assist with the implementation of the State coastal management plan (State Coastal Plan) and regional coastal management plans (regional coastal plans) in local government planning schemes and development assessment.
The coastal plans have the effect of State Planning Policies (SPPs) under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (PDF)* (IPA) and are required to be considered during the making or amending of local government IPA planning schemes or in the assessment of development applications until such time as local government planning schemes have been signed off by the planning Minister as appropriately reflecting the coastal plans.
The Guidelines
The guidelines address coastal management outcomes, principles and policies of the State and regional coastal plans.
Planning Scheme Guideline
The guideline Implementing State and regional coastal management plans: Planning Schemes provides advice on how the policies of the State and regional coastal plans can be appropriately reflected in planning schemes. The Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources and Water, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Department of Infrastructure and Planning will use these guidelines as a basis for advising the Planning Minister when the Minister is determining whether a proposed planning scheme appropriately reflects the State and relevant regional coastal plans.
Development Assessment Guideline
Due to the status of the coastal plans, assessment managers must assess any part of the development application requiring code or impact assessment against the relevant policies of the coastal plans.
The guideline Implementing State and regional coastal management plans: Development Assessment provides advice to local government on implementing the policy outcomes of the State Coastal Plan and regionally specific policy outcomes of regional coastal plans in development assessment. The guidance on implementing the policy outcomes of the coastal plans is also relevant to State government agencies acting as assessment manager or concurrence agency or when designating land for community infrastructure.
The department, Department of Infrastructure and Planning, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and Department of Natural Resources and Water consider development that is consistent with the example development assessment criteria detailed within this guideline would meet the requirements of the coastal plans. The solutions contained in this guideline are the State's interpretation of how the coastal management outcomes, principles and policies can be appropriately considered in development assessment.
Background Information
The State Coastal Plan establishes the long-term vision for the coast, identifies outcomes and principles for coastal management and includes policies for coastal use and development and the conservation, management and enhancement of coastal resources and their values.
Regional coastal plans map and identify specific areas where policies of the State Coastal Plan apply and give regional direction for State Coastal Plan policies. They may also identify additional regionally specific policies for the purpose of achieving the principles of the State Coastal Plan and state whether more locally relevant policy guidance applies in addition to the State Coastal Plan policies.
The coastal plans are statutory instruments prepared in accordance with the objects of the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (PDF)* (Coastal Act) that seek to protect and manage coastal resources defined in section 12 of the Coastal Act and described in Table 1 of the State Coastal Plan and a relevant regional coastal plan.
Contact details
For additional information on the guidelines please email: planning.support@epa.qld.gov.au or mail to Sustainable Planning Branch, Environmental Protection Agency, PO BOX 15155, City East QLD 4002.
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Last updated: 23 May 2008