Tuesday 24 June 2014 The places Australians love face increased threats after the Environment and Communications Senate Committee recommended yesterday that environment approval powers be devolved to state governments.The Places You Love alliance submitted that amendments to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 should not be passed.“This policy represents a total lack of leadership on environmental regulation,” said Asren Pugh, acting director of the Places You Love alliance.“State governments are...

SCEC remains concerned that the state government is pushing ahead with the establishment of a motorsports precinct, starting with an off-road motorcycling facility, within the Mooloolah Logging Area. This proposal has bypassed community consultation or due consideration of more suitable alternative sites.  We need to act urgently to prevent the loss of  biodiversity values and an important part of a key bio-regional...

  Places You Love MEDIA RELEASE United Nations rules Great Barrier Reef in trouble: Federal Government should not leave the Reef in Newman’s hands  Thursday 19 June 2014 The Places You Love alliance, representing more than 40 Australian environment groups, says the Federal Government should not hand responsibility for protecting the Great Barrier Reef to the Queensland Government. This follows the UNESCO World Heritage Committee’s decision to...

Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area PETER COSIER THE AUSTRALIAN JUNE 10, 2014 FIFTEEN years ago the Howard government introduced sweeping changes to national environmental laws, with the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. Its objective was, and still is, to provide for the protection of the environment and promote the conservation of biodiversity. The act was built around an inter­governmental agreement allocating different responsibilities to the states and commonwealth. The role of the commonwealth is to protect matters of national environmental significance, including our national...

If you're wondering what the Halls Creek debate  is all about this video will give you a quick overview of the history and main issues. Come along to the Halls Creek Community Forum on 3rd July 2014 at the CCSA Hall in Caloundra for an opportunity to hear from experts and decision makers and to join in the discussion.

Our region’s natural assets are important for the economy, lifestyle and well-being of our community. The South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031 (SEQ NRM Plan) is the community’s plan to protect and restore the region’s natural assets.  The SEQ NRM Plan is currently being updated to help prepare the community and the economy for the future.  Whilst community feedback sessions have now been completed, the project is...

MEDIA RELEASE – 22 May 2014 ZIP-LINE OK FOR TOURISM BUT NOT FOR NATIONAL PARK-SCEC The region’s peak environment group remains concerned that the high environmental and scenic values of the Kondalilla National Park will be at risk from a proposed zipline. Narelle McCarthy of the Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) said “Queensland is already falling well short of the mark in terms of protected areas with just 5% in National Park. The introduction of commercial activities which are likely to compromise significant conservation values and impact on the passive enjoyment of millions of visitors is extremely...

This video provides a snapshot of just some of  the environmental values found in the Mooloolah Logging Area within the Beerwah State Forest. It's an insight into why it was due to transition into National Park until Minister Dickson arbitrarily suspended the SEQ Regional Forests Agreement & why it's the wrong place for a motorsports precinct.   SCEC maintains alternative sites need to be considered if such...

SCEC is calling on anyone concerned about climate change to join our community climate change choir: The Carbon Canaries What are the Carbon Canaries? The Carbon Canaries are passionate about communicating the climate change message through song, and the louder we are the better.  Great voice not necessary, joy in singing out with a group of like-minded people definitely is! Why have the Carbon Canaries? We need a new way to connect with people on climate change that tackles the serious issues but at the same time lets people to come...

The Noosa on Weyba application is in its final decision stages, with the Noosa Council staff report on the matter now available. Access the report and background about the application at: Paul Summers Planning -FoLW All meetings of Noosa Council are public meetings so you can attend and watch proceedings (space is always limited). The process for the application is as follows: The staff report will be considered by Noosa’s Planning & Organisation Committee on the afternoon of Tuesday 25 March 2014...

You have probably heard that the State Government recently signed off on the new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme. In his letter advising our Council of the Government’s decision, Minister Seeney (Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning) instructed our Council to include the Halls Creek area in the planning scheme as an area for possible future growth. The Halls Creek Area in the Pumicestone Passage catchment is the subject of a long standing debate between the Sunshine Coast Council and the State Government....

18 March 2014 MEDIA RELEASE “Pumicestone Passage sacrificed by State Government to satisfy developer demands”  Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) President, Keryn Jones, today condemned the State Government’s direction to force Council to include Halls Creek as an ‘Investigation Area’ for future urban development in the new Sunshine Coast Planning Scheme due for adoption in coming...