Halt urban growth in South East Queensland (Apr)

17 April 2007

Media Releases 2007

The Queensland Government should halt urban growth in South East Queensland

say conservationists following the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate

Change Report last week.  A resolution calling for a moratorium on development will be

put at a public forum “Populating the Life out of Paradise” to be held at Redlands

IndigiScapes on Saturday 21st April from 3 to 5 pm.

The Climate Change Summary of the Working Group II Fourth Assessment Report

states that ‘’ongoing coastal development and population growth in areas such as Cairns

and Southeast Queensland… are projected to exacerbate risks from sea-level rise and

increases in the severity and frequency of storms and coastal flooding by 2050.”

“We have been warning all levels of government about the dangers of continuing

development on our floodplains and coastal zones for many years now,” said Simon

Baltais, President of Sustainable Population Australia – SEQ Branch.  “This report states

clearly that development is putting people at risk and should not continue in this area.

These risks are so high that it now appears doubtful insurance would be obtainable for

those living in such areas.”

Despite these warnings the recently completed South East Queensland Regional

Plan is designed to accommodate more than an additional one million people over the

next 20 years.

“The Plan goes some way towards protecting our steep slopes and farmland from

development,” said Baltais, “but what about those areas likely to be subject to floods and

storm surge events in the near future?  Currently we question if the State Government is

giving serious attention to such matters.”

The resolution calling for both State and local governments to call a halt to urban

development and revise downwards the targeted residential population for the area in light

of these constraints is expected to be passed at the public forum.

For more information about this important public meeting:

Simon Baltais, President, SPA-SEQ, Mb: 0412 075 334

Sustainable Population Australia – SEQ Branch, Box 199, Mudgeeraba Qld 4213

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