Petition against Gympie council’s law repeal cracks 26k
An online petition asking for the State Government to step in and stop a repeal of two environment laws in the council’s planning scheme continues to grow
Gympie
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A PETITION calling for the State Government to step in and stop Gympie Regional Council’s repeal of two environmental protection rules has topped 26,000 signatures.
The petition was launched last week after councillors voted 6-2 to overturn two Temporary Local Planning Instruments they believed were not working as intended.
Council staff said at the meeting these two planning tools had unintended impacts on the region’s development processes.
These claims were rejected by some former councillors and council staff involved in the creation and adoption of the laws.
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The petition is asking Local Government Minister Steven Miles and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon to intervene to ensure the protection of the region’s koalas and native plants and wildlife.
In an attached form letter addressed to Mr Miles by the sites creator, a “concerned resident”, the MP is being asked to intervene under Queensland legislation which allows for urgent or direct action to be taken to protect the state’s interests.
The letter states without the TLPIs in place “insufficient provisions in the Planning Scheme may significantly impact” the region’s biodiversity, coastal environment and water quality.
Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig said on Tuesday the council was already in consultation with the State Government about ensuring the protection of the region’s environment moving forward.