Ministerial statement: Planning for a low-carbon and resilient future

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Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
31/07/2009

Planning for a low-carbon and resilient future

A new draft plan setting out proposed actions to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from land management and future urban development and in South East Queensland was released today.

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the Draft South East Queensland Climate Change Management Plan would move the region towards a low-carbon future that would be more resilient to the long term impacts of climate change.

"This plan is a bold step to ensure we implement the climate change policies of the SEQ Regional Plan with clarity and commitment," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"Toward Q2: Tomorrow's Queensland sets a statewide goal of reducing our carbon footprint by a third.

"Now it's time to work out how much of this will be achieved through urban planning in the state's most populous region.

"Nearly 70 per cent of Queenslanders live in the state's south east and it is growing strongly-smart planning in this region will therefore make a big difference.

"While Australia's carbon pollution reduction scheme (CPRS) will be the primary national tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, smart urban and regional planning has a vital role.

"This draft plan focuses on emissions from urban development and transport rather than the heavy industrial emitters targeted by the CPRS."

"The full potential of urban planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure communities are resilient to climate change is only now being recognised.

The draft management plan identifies 32 potential climate change planning actions for SEQ, ranging from improving transport and settlement patterns to planting more trees to store carbon, increasing renewable energy and building community awareness of climate change impacts.

It is also proposed to link regional planning for climate change with state-wide planning initiatives to tackle climate change impacts like sea level rise.

The draft management plan also covers a broad range of possible regional initiatives to:

?Promote leading practice in energy efficient planning and design of urban developments

?Increase the proportion of energy derived from low emission sources

?Improve uptake of exemplary sustainable and climate smart urban developments

?Increase the proportion of energy derived from low emission and renewable sources in SEQ

?Reduce methane lost to the atmosphere from landfill and sewage works

?Reduce the exposure and vulnerability of communities, development and essential infrastructure to coastal and natural hazards and the impacts of climate change.

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

"This draft plan identifies actions that would increase the use of renewable energies such as solar and wind power," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Road transport is another major source of emissions, which is why the draft plan identifies a number of programs to increase active and public transport.

"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.

"There are challenges ahead. By working with other levels of government, the development industry, councils and residents of SEQ, we will find practical and cost-effective ways to make a real difference.

"I encourage all residents of SEQ to read this draft plan and have their say on what they believe are the highest-priority climate change actions," Mr Hinchliffe said.

Responses to the draft plan can be made at www.dip.qld.gov.au/climatechange. The deadline for responses is 5pm on Friday 11 September 2009.

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