Ministerial Statement: PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

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Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Paul Lucas
07/12/2008

PLAN FOR CLIMATE CHANGE

A South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan will be developed to move the region to a low-carbon future and make it more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Premier Anna Bligh announced the new plan as part of the release of the Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan, and said it would include targets for reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from land use, urban development and transport in the region.

"Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland sets a statewide goal of reducing our carbon footprint by a third-now it's time to identify how much of this will be achieved through urban planning," Ms Bligh said.

"South East Queensland has the state's largest population and its highest growth rate, so it's here that smart planning will make the biggest difference.

"One of the first steps in developing the SEQ climate change management plan will be to establish the greenhouse gas emissions trend for the region, through yearly monitoring.

"Once a trend is established, all planning and infrastructure development policies, including those produced by councils, will need to show how they contribute to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

"The focus will be on emissions from land use and transport rather than heavy industrial emitters which will be controlled through the Federal Government's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

"A climate-smart steering group will also be set up to advise on best practice for pilot projects in urban growth areas."

Road transport is the next-biggest source of emissions after electricity use, which is why the regional plan seeks to reduce people's use of, and dependence on, private cars.

"Nearly half of all residential and employment growth in SEQ will be accommodated in existing urban areas, keeping travel time and distance to a minimum.

"And by locating new residential and commercial areas in activity centres and close to frequent, high-capacity train and bus services, we'll encourage more people to leave their car at home and use public transport, cycle and walk instead.

"Sustainable housing designs and fixtures and fittings that reduce the use of energy, especially for cooling and heating, and keep water use to minimum will also become more widespread."

Over half of SEQ's greenhouse gas emissions come from coal-fired electricity use.

"Improved energy efficiency and a greater use of low-emissions technology and renewable energies such as solar and wind will be vital in reducing our carbon footprint," Ms Bligh said.

"Under the draft regional plan, incentives and awareness campaigns will be used to encourage the use of renewable energy, while locations suitable for renewable energy resources will be identified and protected.

"The planting of trees and other land uses and management practices that store carbon will also be promoted, and mechanisms and locations for carbon storage will be identified."

The United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified South East Queensland as one of six 'hot spots' in Australia where vulnerability to climate change is likely to be high.

The SEQ Climate Change Management Plan will:

    * develop agreed scenarios on the expected frequency and magnitude of climate change hazards
    * identify 'hot spots' and government priorities for climate change adaptation and at-risk sectors of the economy and community
    * improve coordination of government programs to reduce the risk of climate change and increase opportunities for renewable energy generation
    * identify at-risk areas that may require more planning.

"We need to plan for extreme weather events, drought and sea level rises," said the Premier.

"This plan will see standards developed for new buildings and infrastructure in locations with increased risk.

"New housing developments will have to consider climate hazards such as rising sea levels in coastal areas.

"We also need to improve community preparedness to respond to climate change hazards such as flooding, storm tides and bushfires.

"To plan for population growth and future droughts, the State Government has already built a world-first water grid including a desalination plant to reduce our reliance on rainfall."

The SEQ Climate Change Management Plan will be delivered mid next year.

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