Environmental planning resource
Queensland abounds in natural and cultural assets including the rich diversity of its coral reefs and forests, its unspoilt beaches, coastal islands, wetlands, rivers, highlands and the outback. A Queenslander’s quality of life depends not only on economic wealth and social equity but also on the quality of the environment, the clean air and waters, the natural and cultural values. Environmental planning needs to incorporate and balance each of these aspects to maintain and enhance quality of life in Queensland.
Planning for ecologically sustainable development, recognises that there are absolute limits to the capacity of the environment to adapt and respond to the development and recreational demands placed on it. Environmental planning extends beyond the procedural aspects of planning and development assessment to incorporate a scientific understanding of natural processes and how they relate to social, environmental and economic values.
The Environmental Planning Resource Manual has been developed to provide planners and decision-makers with information to enable better environmental principles to be incorporated at the earliest possible stage in the planning process. It provides information on the Agency’s planning interests and data thereby providing a basis for transparent decision making.
This manual is intended for use by local governments in the preparation of planning schemes and by government, community and natural resource management groups undertaking regional planning initiatives. It will assist in working towards integrated and holistic planning in Queensland and will enable the Agency’s clients to make informed decisions based on common and shared information.
This is a dynamic working manual which will be expanded over time. It is the Environmental Protection Agency’s intent that planners utilise the tools in this manual to assist in achieving ecological sustainability in planning.
Last updated: 05 March 2007
