Minister runs out of patience with Moreton Bay Council and rejects planning amendment proposal
THE State Government has rejected a local council’s 139 major amendments to the Planning Scheme after more than nine months of deliberation.
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THE State Government has rejected Moreton Bay Regional Council’s 139 major amendments to the Planning Scheme after more than nine months of deliberation.
Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said the council had been too slow in withdrawing the amendments after it became clear they would not be approved.
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“Today I have refused the proposed major amendment to Moreton Bay Regional Council’s planning scheme,” Mr Dick told Pine Rivers Press.
“My department conducted an extensive assessment of the proposed amendments, including seeking a range of expert advice.
“In making my decision, I formed the view that the proposed amendments were inconsistent with the requirements of Queensland’s planning legislation and therefore I could not approve them.
“Council has been informed of these issues for some time and had advised they would withdraw the amendment.
“It now appears this will not occur in a timely fashion, and it is appropriate for me to act to provide certainty to the community and to business.
“I want to be very clear that development can still proceed in the Moreton Bay region. Council has, and will continue to have, the ability to accept development applications and consider them on their merits.”
In a letter sent to Mayor Allan Sutherland today, Mr Dick said the amendment package was unprecedented.
“The major amendment raises significant concerns that impact the legal rights of landowners and its consistency with Queensland planning legislation,” Mr Dick wrote.
“I am not satisfied the proposed amendment achieves the purpose of the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 and does not adversely affect state interest.
“The proposed amendment has raised some fundamental legislative issues which I cannot support.”
The letter also states the amendments did not conform with “many of the fundamental transparency and good governance provisions established by Queensland legislation”.
It states a number of court appeals before the Planning and Environment Court were a direct consequence of refusing code assessable development applications based on the presumption that the amendments would be approved.
“Proposed planning scheme amendments should never stifle development opportunities for applicants,” Mr Dick wrote.
“The council must get back on with the job of providing living and housing options for the community.”
Mayor Allan Sutherland said former Planning Minister Jackie Trad wrote to the council last year congratulating it on “proactive management of growth in the Moreton Bay Region” and told them to proceed with public consultation and advertising subject to some minor changes.
“These amendments were made and nothing has changed since, but the new Minister has formed a different view,” Cr Sutherland said.
“The State Government has said the Moreton Bay Region needs to deliver more than 88,000 dwellings over the next two decades in order to accommodate growth.”
“We are committed to delivering a plan that will address this challenge in a responsible and timely manner, so that we can preserve our local way of life.”
Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said she felt community sentiment or concerns were not given appropriate consideration through the consultation phases by the council.
“For the better part of a year, have been working closely with the Minister to advise of the views of local residents and stakeholders,” she told Pine Rivers Press.
“While I value a robust working relationship with our Council, I find it disappointing that collectively we have landed in a place where there has been inaction in terms of the withdrawal of the planning amendment for too long.
“I will continue to work as part of the State Government with the Minister to ensure that our region has certainty and increased confidence into the future.”
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