The Property Council of Australia has provided a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications Inquiry into the status, health and sustainability of Australia's koala population.
This Inquiry is critically important to the property industry in Queensland, as the powers afforded to the Federal Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity and Conservation Act (EPBC) have the potential to quarantine development in South East Queensland if misused.
Koala protection legislation has been a continual issue of concern in Queensland. Efforts by the State Government in late 2009 to create planning provisions to protect the Koala were poorly informed and led to onerous requirements being placed on appropriately zoned land and approved developments. Fortunately through detailed submissions by industry the Queensland Government has now adopted a more considered response to the issue.
The Property Council’s submission to the Senate Inquiry aims to highlight the need to find a balance between economic, social, and environmental factors. The submission also focuses on impacts from current regulations and other instruments in place for the protection of the koala population.
