Halt urban growth in South East Queensland (Apr)
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