Flinders Karawatha Corridor-Frequently asked questions
- What is the Flinders Karawatha Corridor?
- As a landowner, how will the corridor affect me?
- Does the implementation of this corridor mean that I will have to stop grazing cattle on my property?
- Can I still develop my land in the future?
- Is there a buyback or purchasing scheme?
- If there are no endangered species on our property then what is the Queensland Government protecting?
- You talk about preserving precious bushland but then talk about limitless recreational opportunities. How can you do both?
- Will there be any incentives to encourage landholders to participate in preserving this corridor?
- Who will manage the corridor?
- Who is the SEQ Regional Implementation Group?
- What effect will this corridor have on residents within the Brisbane portion?
What is the Flinders Karawatha Corridor?
The Flinders Karawatha Corridor (the corridor) is recognised for its significant conservation, recreation, cultural heritage and social values. It is identified as a ’Landscape corridor’ in the section Desired Regional Outcome 3.2 of the South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP 2009-2031). For further information view the South East Queensland Regional Plan.
A ’Landscape corridor’ is defined under the Desired Regional Outcome 3.2 of the SEQRP as:
- Lineal areas with current or potential high confluence of landscape values and ecosystem services that have the capacity to improve connectivity between core landscape areas, people, places, infrastructure and ecosystems.
The corridor extends 60km from Karawatha Forest in Brisbane’s outer suburbs to south of Ipswich at Flinders Peak and on to the Wyaralong Dam near Boonah.
Four local government areas fall within the corridor: Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich City Councils, and Scenic Rim Regional Council.
The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM), formerly the Environmental Protection Agency, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2006 and renewed this agreement in 2008 with the four local governments as well as the Department of Defence. The MoU was developed for the purpose of continuing a coordinated approach to the long-term management of the corridor and a cooperative approach to investigating mechanisms to ensure the long-term protection and enhancement of the corridor.
The corridor has been recognised in many local and regional planning studies and documents. As a result of this recognition, state and local governments have secured a number of critical parcels which are held in conservation reserves.
To achieve the long-term protection of the corridor the Queensland Government is continuing to work in partnership with key partners and the community.
The current priorities are to:
- Define the planning boundaries of the corridor and undertake community and stakeholder consultation in order to develop an agreed boundary. Undertake a detailed land use plan to consolidate the stakeholder and community vision for the corridor.
- Determine the funding approaches to implementing the vision for the corridor. These will be used to facilitate rebuilding habitat and connectivity values in the corridor.
As a landowner, how will the corridor affect me?
Being within the corridor will not impact on existing property rights. This includes committed development and existing rights and exemptions under the Vegetation Management Act 1999.
The boundary will create certainty about where the relevant SEQRP policies apply and will inform local government planning schemes in terms of permitted land use.
Delineation of the corridor will not introduce any new regulation. The current State planning regulatory provisions under the SEQRP will still apply.
Does the implementation of this corridor mean that I will have to stop grazing cattle on my property?
No, if applicable, assistance may be offered to rehabilitate degraded areas of your property. Various conservation agreements, grants scheme and projects may be of interest to you.
Further assistance programs may be available through local government or SEQ Catchments Ltd which is a community-based not for profit business.
Contact SEQ catchments by mail at:
Community NRM Officer
SEQ Catchments
PO Box 13204 George St QLD 4003
Or email to jomara@seqcatchments.com.au.
Can I still develop my land in the future?
Most of the corridor is within the Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area (RLRPA) and subject to the regulatory provisions of the SEQRP.
No new regulatory mechanisms are being introduced and no existing property rights are affected by the corridor.
Delineating the corridor and preparing a land use plan is consistent with the policies of the SEQRP.
Is there a buyback or purchasing scheme?
A land use study is being conducted over the corridor to determine a range of appropriate land uses. If a particular landholder does want to sell then consideration may be given to see what value that property has in relation to future uses for recreation, tourism or nature conservation.
If there are no endangered species on our property then what is the Queensland Government protecting?
The protection is to stem any future fragmentation of this corridor because it is the largest remaining continuous stretch of open eucalypt bushland south of the Brisbane River in South East Queensland. It provides clean air, clean water, healthy landscapes, climate change mitigation, arable land and ecosystem services to the people and the environment of South East Queensland. These values contribute to the health and wellbeing of the people in the region.
You talk about preserving precious bushland but then talk about limitless recreational opportunities. How can you do both?
The proposed land use plan will identify what parts of the corridor will be appropriate for particular recreation activities and where key areas are needed to be preserved or rehabilitated for wildlife.
Will there be any incentives to encourage landholders to participate in preserving this corridor?
Yes. There is a range of assistance and incentives a landholder can receive for the protection and rehabilitation of vegetation and wildlife habitat. For more information on these options contact SEQ Catchments.
When the government talks about protecting the corridor to preserve precious bushland does this mean that our properties will be resumed for a National Park?
The Queensland Government is not intending to force landholders to sell or introduce compulsory acquisition. If a particular landholder does want to sell then consideration may be given to see what value that property has in relation to future uses for recreation, tourism or nature conservation.
Who will manage the corridor?
The corridor will be managed through a partnership of government and private agencies. Management and coordination of programs will be overseen by the SEQ Regional Implementation Group.
Who is the SEQ Regional Implementation Group?
The group incorporates the State Government, the SEQ Traditional Owner Alliance, Growcom, SEQ Catchments Ltd, SEQ Healthy Waterways, Consortium for Integrated Resource Management, Queensland Conservation Council, SEQ Water, and Council of Mayors (SEQ). The groups’ mission is to support and improve through partnership the regional natural resource management arrangements for South East Queensland.
What effect will this corridor have on residents within the Brisbane portion?
Existing property rights remain unaffected within the Brisbane end of the corridor. Brisbane City Council has already established most of this area for conservation and recreation purposes. Any additions to the corridor here would be only on an opportunity basis.
The delineation of the corridor will not impose any further regulation than those that currently exist for any assessable development under the Brisbane City Planning Scheme or any of the other local authorities.
Last updated 29 November 2011