The paint on the Green Door Policy appears rather thin

The Queensland Government this week released their Green Door Policy.  This policy is purported to be about fast-tracking sustainable development that meets certain criteria.   On the face of it this sounds great and something the Greens would support.

But, they also proudly announced in their press release that they will be employing dedicated case managers who will be able to deal with a maximum of six of the most sustainable development proposals at a time across Queensland.  

The obvious question is how many developments that are going ahead are NOT sustainable.  “Six seems to be a paltry number to target” said Dr Sandra Bayley, the Greens Candidate for Ashgrove.

 “Why do they not legislate to ensure that ALL developments are based on sustainable principles or am I just being naive?” mused Dr Bayley.  “Surely the people of Ashgrove have a right to expect that any developments planned in their area would automatically be based on sustainability principles.”

Greens concede Campbell Newman has a point when it comes to the lack of science underpinning policy development in Queensland.

“As a very good case in point, have a look at the Queensland Government’s recently released Regionalisation Strategy”, suggested Dr Bayley, the Greens Candidate for Ashgrove. 

This strategy states that it focuses on investments that will continue to build regional communities around sustainable, liveable and prosperous foundations.  However, as Dr Bayley pointed out, the strategy is very much focused on the development of non-renewable and polluting resources such as coal and coal seam gas.  

Under this strategy corridors are being established that include, gas and coal, but no mention of a renewable energy corridor.  “This seems extraordinary, particularly given the momentous developments last week with the introduction of the carbon tax plans”, Dr Bayley said.

“The maps of current and future economic trends is misleading; the area of intended 40,000 coal seam gas wells covers much of Queensland rather than the small corridor depicted.”

The initiative mentions the word coal 29 times and renewable twice!  “It is as though Queensland either doesn’t understand or is choosing to ignore the developments that are happening in the rest of Australia, and indeed the rest of the world”, pointed out Dr Bayley. 

Dr Bayley reinforced the criticisms made by Campbell Newman when she questioned, “Where are the Queensland Government scientists who understand what ‘sustainable’ means?”

“In addition a document that talks about sustainability and identifying important corridors without considering the environmental implications of the proposed developments, e.g. wildlife corridors, is short-sighted.”

 

Mr Newman, Ashgrovians holiday at the Sunshine Coast!

The Sunshine Coast is a popular holiday and weekend retreat for many Ashgrovians.   The natural beauty of this area and the sensitive development that has occurred over recent times are no doubt key reasons for this as a favoured leisure destination.

Last week Campbell Newman was quoted in the Sunshine Coast newspaper as wanting to re-write the Sustainable Planning and Local Government acts so that the Sunshine Coast Regional Council can act swiftly to support the go forward of the Coast. 

In response to this Dr Sandra Bayley, the Greens candidate for Ashgrove, has asked Ashgrovians to become informed about what this means for their future visits to this highly valued part of Queensland’s coast.

“The Sustainable Planning Act has at it’s core the need to manage the effects of development on the environment” Dr Bayley said. 

“Campbell Newman seems to want to change the Act so that development can be fast-tracked not only on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, but indeed across Queensland.”

“My view is the exact opposite – we need to make sure that all development is subject to careful scrutiny, not only in light of our current understanding of the needs of the environment, but also in light of the impacts of climate change”, said Dr Bayley.

A Welcome Breakthrough on Climate Change

“It was momentous to be sitting at the Greens National Council in Brisbane today as we together watched the unveiling of the carbon price package, Australia’s first step in seriously addressing climate change.” Dr Bayley, Greens Candidate for Ashgrove, said today.

“The delivery of this package has come about as an initiative of the Greens when we achieved the balance of power in the last election.”

Adam Brandt noted that the number one issue in the Melbourne electorate in the last federal election was climate change and in response to that they delivered a Greens member of the Federal lower house at such a critical time in history. 

Dr Bayley pointed out that “If Melbourne can do this, so can Brisbane. Specifically, the seat of Ashgrove has many similarities to Melbourne in that it is a well educated inner city electorate and Ashgrovians will surely be thinking about their children and grandchildren when they go to the ballot box.”

The time is clearly right for the Queensland parliament to mature in its make up, particularly as there is no senate to provide a sanity check on the decisions that are being made.  As an example, the rapid development of coal seam gas is being supported by both major parties in Queensland, just at the time Australia is turning her back on the fossil fuel industry and turning her face towards renewables, as pointed out by Senator Milne today. 

“Ashgrove can also be part of delivering the opportunity of a safe climate for the future by becoming aware of the rapid development of coal and coal seam gas across Queensland and making it a key election issue for the upcoming state election.

Like the electorate of Melbourne which changed the course of Australia’s energy future, Ashgrove too has the opportunity to shape Queensland’s future.” said Dr Bayley.

Sandra Bayley

Candidate for Ashgrove