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| Yandina Creek Wetlands |
.Article in sunshine coast daily regarding yandina creek wetlands
.letter from federal environment minister greg hunt
Wetlands battle heating up
Scott Sawyer | 1st Jan 2015 7:22 AM
ENVIRONMENTALISTS have upped the ante over a Yandina Creek wetland site, pushing
for the local, state or federal government to step in and acquire the diverse land for
preservation so it is not used for agricultural activity, such as grazing.
Local bird expert Greg Roberts has submitted a report to Sunshine Coast Council
calling on it to acquire the almost-200ha site under its environmental levy scheme.
He said the three properties that made up the site, and adjoined existing
council-preserved land, were home to a plethora of rare and endangered birds
- including the painted snipe - and a huge number of migratory shore birds.
Mr Roberts described the land as an area of national environmental significance.
"Developing that area as a cattle farm would be disastrous, there's no doubt about
that," Mr Roberts said. He also has approached the state and federal environment
ministers.
A spokesman for Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt said he was unaware of
any proposals to develop the site, but if plans were submitted they would be subject
to full environmental assessments, including obligations under the Environmental
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
According to a council spokesman, however, there is no obligation on the landowners
to notify of any change of use on the land in the event it is to be used for cattle farming,
given its rural zoning.
"All three lots are in the rural zone under the Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme," the
council spokesman said.
"In this zone both animal husbandry (which would include the grazing of cows) and
cropping (which would include cane growing) are self-assessable uses and no material
change of use application or environmental assessment is required."
Mr Roberts said he could not understand how the former cane land, could be turned
into cattle grazing land, given the designated wetlands there under the council's
mapping.
Last week one of the three land owners said he would need to meet the other two
owners before making comment, and be willing to discuss the matter in the new year.
COMMENT
The suggestion by the council that any future rural land use for the properties is
"self-assessable" appears to be in conflict with the council's own planning regulations.
Map overlays for the properties clearly identify significant areas of land as being designated
native vegetation, wetlands or riparian protection. Council guidelines make it clear that such
areas are supposed to be protected.
"self-assessable" appears to be in conflict with the council's own planning regulations.
Map overlays for the properties clearly identify significant areas of land as being designated
native vegetation, wetlands or riparian protection. Council guidelines make it clear that such
areas are supposed to be protected.
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| Yandina Creek Wetlands |
LETTER FROM GREG HUNT, FEDERAL ENVIRONMENT MINISTER
The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Minister for the Environment
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone (02) 6277 7920
December 24, 2014
Mr Greg Roberts
Dear Mr Roberts
I refer to your email of 14 December 2014 concerning a proposal by property owners to drain
the Yandina Creek Wetlands, on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, and redevelop them for
cattle grazing.
the Yandina Creek Wetlands, on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, and redevelop them for
cattle grazing.
The Australian Government is committed to protecting and improving the conservation of Australia’s
threatened species and has a role in regulating actions that may impact on defined items of Australia’s
natural and cultural heritage (called matters of ‘national environmental significance). These items
are listed
and protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) and
include for example, listed species threatened at the national level, and certain migratory species,
among others.
Actions that are likely to have a significant impact on any of the matters protected by the Act require
threatened species and has a role in regulating actions that may impact on defined items of Australia’s
natural and cultural heritage (called matters of ‘national environmental significance). These items
are listed
and protected under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the Act) and
include for example, listed species threatened at the national level, and certain migratory species,
among others.
Actions that are likely to have a significant impact on any of the matters protected by the Act require
consideration by the Australian Government. This is in addition to the normal assessment and approval
process administered by state and local governments.
process administered by state and local governments.
I note your concerns in relation to this matter. I have asked the Compliance and Enforcement Branch
of the Department of the Environment to examine whether the proposal is likely to impact on any
matters protected by the Act and require referral to the Australian Government for consideration and,
if so, to ensure that any such requirement is met.
of the Department of the Environment to examine whether the proposal is likely to impact on any
matters protected by the Act and require referral to the Australian Government for consideration and,
if so, to ensure that any such requirement is met.
Thank you for writing on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Greg Hunt
COMMENT
When told of the council's advice that a development application would not be needed
for plans to drain the wetlands and redevelop the area for cattle grazing,
Greg Hunt advised me further:
for plans to drain the wetlands and redevelop the area for cattle grazing,
Greg Hunt advised me further:
The [Commonwealth legislation] applies on the basis of consequences.
If an action is likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national importance,
then the Act will apply.
then the Act will apply.
See here for the full report submitted to the Australian and Queensland
governments,
and the Sunshine Coast Council.
governments,
and the Sunshine Coast Council.