Free seminar calls community to action on planning laws

Posted on July 13, 2015

FOr Event on Website

13 July 2015

MEDIA RELEASE   

The Sunshine Coast community must act now and tell the state government to restore community objection rights to developments, says former Sunshine Coast environment councillor Keryn Jones.

“Sunshine Coasters love their region and want to ensure that it is developed in a manner that protects the things that make it so special,” Ms Jones, now Sunshine Coast Environment Council President, said.

“Good planning that involves the local community is the key. Yet, too often we have seen the community voice overridden by successive State governments”.

“In the past few years we have seen Caloundra South planning stripped from Council, Halls Creek flagged as a development area in the SEQ Plan despite Council and community objections, and the very recent push by State government on the Sekisui House proposal for the sensitive Yaroomba beachfront”.

SCEC is joining forces with Queensland’s leading community legal centre for the environment, EDO Qld, to provide a free community seminar on planning law this Wednesday, 15 July from 6-8pm at Lake Kawana Community Centre.

EDO Qld CEO and Solicitor Jo-Anne Bragg said the free event would critically review proposed new Queensland planning legislation from the perspective of good planning, community rights and the protection of ecology.

Speakers at the event are:

  • Jo Bragg, CEO & Solicitor, Environmental Defenders Office Qld
  • James Coutts, Executive Director- Planning Services Division, Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
  • Warren Bunker, Director- Regional Strategy and Planning, Sunshine Coast Council
  • Dr Rob Lamont, Adjunct Lecturer in Genetics and Plant Sciences, University of the Sunshine Coast

“With the new State Government considering reforms to the planning framework right now, it is important that community members come along to understand how the proposed reforms will impact on their rights and the ability to protect the Sunshine Coast environment,” Ms Bragg said.

The speakers will also be available after talks for a Q&A with community members.

For more information and to RSVP visit www.edoqld.org.au or phone 3211 4466.

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For more information on planning law and the Sunshine Coast visit:EDO Planning Directions Paper 15 and Here's why community action is vital to protecting your environment