my letter from Fiona Simpson

THIS IS WHAT I WROTE TO FIONA SIMPSON

The Honourable MsFiona Simpson

Member for Maroochydore and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Queensland Government

Dear Madam Speaker,

Congratulations on your re-election to serve the electorate of Maroochydore.

Congratulations also on your appointment to serve the people of Queensland as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

The behaviour of the Queensland Premier this week in Parliament does not demonstrate the "humility, grace and dignity" that he promised in his Victory speech on winning the election in March 2012.

I find it a little hypocritical for the Premier to refer to cleaning up "Anna Bligh's mess" and "Anna Bligh's legacy" with a "pooper scooper" when he left Cr Graham Quirk and the people of the city of Brisbane with a legacy of debt as well.

I wonder what the visiting United Kingdom delegation thought of the Premier's decorum in the Parliament.

The question remains un-answered. Will the Queensland Government will provide funding for counselling services for those 20,000 public sector workers facing the unemployment and an uncertain future?  I would appreciate your thoughts on this matter and how you (as Speaker) might hold the Premier to his promise to conduct himself and the Queensland Government with humility, grace and dignity.

your's sincerely,

Rowan Barber

.....AND THIS WHAT SHE WROTE IN REPLY

 Mr Rowan Barber

Dear Rowan

Thank you your congratulations on my re-election as the Member for Maroochydore and

my appointment as Speaker. I consider it a privilege to serve my electorate, and the people

of Queensland.

Regarding questions you pose concerning funding for specific services, I refer you to the

Ministers of the relevant departments, rather than to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.

The role of Speaker involves a number of aspects, including presiding over the Chamber.

Member from both sides of politics often engage in robust debate.  My role is to seek to

fairly apply the rules to both sides of the House and allow them the opportunity to
participate in debate.  You are free to express your personal opinion as to how Members
exercise their rights; however I am restrained from doing so due to my need to preside
with fairness. 

Yours sincerely

HON FIONA SIMPSON MP

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly

Parliament House

George St Brisbane Queensland 4000 Austrlalia

Phone: +61 7 3406 7374

Fax +61 7 3406 7308

email speaker@parliament.qld.gov.au

Web www.parliament.qld.gov.au

Budget, Fast-tracking Development, Land Clearing

Budget

 

This week’s budget formalises the merger of key water entities in South-East Queensland and formalises the end of the Queensland Water Commission.

The Qld State Government has shut down most of Queensland’s climate and Environment initiatives arguing that the Federal Government’s carbon pricing scheme is duplicating this action. .

In Environment and Heritage Protection the State Government has cut around $20m in funding including two large solar energy generation projects.  $12m has been diverted into the Everyone’s Environment grants program.

Minister Powell say the Qld Government is refocusing his department’s core purpose to be a strong environmental regulator facilitating appropriate, sustainable development while also being a protector of Queensland’s heritage.

The Qld State Government aims to be fiscally prudent, pro-environment and pro-business believing that that these elements are not mutually exclusive.

Environmental Protection Regulation Amendment Project

On Friday 24 August 2012, the Temporary State Planning Policy 2/12 Planning for Prosperity (TSPP 2/12) came into effect.

This is the new Government’s first State Planning Policy. The TSPP 2/12 has been introduced as the pre-cursor to a single State Planning Policy that will combine 14 existing State Planning Policies into one.

The new policy is, indeed, concise – only 7 pages long - but its reach appears quite long. The policy’s Preamble explains that it must be reflected in relevant State and local government decision making.

The Queensland Government is fast-tracking development for it four pillars:

• agriculture
• tourism
• mining/resource extraction
• Construction.  

The TSPP 2/12 then sets forth broad objectives for each industry.

However, the policies do not apply to a local government's assessment of development applications.

TSPP 2/12 requires referral agencies (but not local government assessment managers) to apply the policy at the decision- making stage of assessment, with the aim of protecting land uses and reducing incompatible uses.

While TSPP 2/12’s policies do not apply to the assessment of a development application or assessment of a master plan (TSPP 2/12, ss 1.3.1 and 1.3.2), conflicts with such planning instruments are to be resolved by giving additional weight to:

·       agricultural uses in areas zoned for agricultural uses

·        urban uses in areas zoned for urban uses

·        tourist development shown to be complementary to an area’s environmental, scenic and cultural values

·       mineral and extractive resources development shown to be complementary to an area’s primary intended land use. (TSPP 2/12 s 2.3).

The policy indicates that the Government will facilitate and removal of some costs to development. The policy aims to 'speed not impede' development, allowing developers to maximise the economic potential of projects.

More specifically, TSPP 2/12 applies to the full range of circumstances set out in the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, including a referral agency’s assessment of a development application (TSPP2/12 s 1.3).

In addition, TSPP 2/12 is to be applied in the making or amending of regional plans or local plans, as well as in designations of land for community infrastructure (ss 1.4, 2.1 – 2.3).

A copy of TSPP 2/12 is available at: the Department of State Development and Infrastructure Planning website.

Vegetation Management

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps announced a strategy that will aim to streamline vegetation management across Queensland.

The management of vegetation is currently regulated by several Acts of Parliament, including:

·         Sustainable Planning Act 2009

·         Vegetation Management Act 1999

·         Nature Conservation Act 1992.

Each Act has a different function and any person proposing to clear vegetation may need approvals under one or more legislation depending upon the geographic area, tenure of the land, whether or not the ecosystem is identified as remnant ecosystem, or if the activity involves rare or threatened plants.

Mr Cripps plans to make reforms to the Vegetation Management Act and underlying regulations to allow landholders to:

• Undertake routine management activities such as vegetation thinning, weed control, fodder harvesting and clearing of vegetation encroachment in accordance with self –assessable codes and without the need to regularly apply for permits;

• Receive exemptions for vegetation management activities undertaken to allow for environmental works, and as part of clean-up operations following natural disasters.

In addition, the Department of Natural Resources and Mines will work with local Natural Resource Management and other groups to create practical Area Management Plans (AMPs).

Water, Waste, Mine Fine

 Long Term Water Planning

 

The Qld Government is committed to releasing a discussion paper for a 30 year plan for Queensland’s water sector over the next six months.

The Newman Government has announced that a 30-year vision for affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water, sewerage and sewage treatment services is being developed as part of the Six Month Action Plan.

Energy and Water Supply Minister: Mark McArdle said planning for Queensland’s future water sector was critical to delivering a reliable and cost effective water and sewerage service and to maintaining business growth and lifestyle choices.

A long-term water plan to harness the benefits and reduce the risks associated with Qld’s naturally-occurring climate (drought and flood), is an integral part of the Qld Government’s plan for growth.

The Newman Government is highly critical of the former Government’s SEQ Water plan. $7 billion was spent on the Western Corridor Water recycling scheme, a desalination plant on the Gold Coast and a (so-called) water grid.

It is easy to be critical in retrospect (following the floods in 2011) but the reality of the situation in 2009 was 7 years of consecutive drought.

Now the Department of Energy and Water Supply is working with other state departments and agencies to prepare a ‘whole-of-government’ discussion paper on the challenges and opportunities facing Qld’s water, sewerage and sewage treatment system.

One challenge to realising a clear 30-year water supply plan for Queensland is navigating the complex institutional arrangements (referred to by the Minister as a legislative, bureaucratic and jurisdictional maze).

The Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper, to be released in December 2012.

The discussion paper will consider water security and reliability, public health and safety, environmental outcomes, liveability (integrated water and land-use planning), industry resilience (including industry skills), water for Queensland industries (including agriculture and mining), partnerships and engagement, and affordability.

Local Government Association of Queensland President Paul Bell said the Government had promised to work with local councils in establishing a 30 year vision for the state’s water and sewerage services.

He said Water and Energy Supply Minister Mark McArdle understood the need for proper and inclusive planning to ensure the state’s future water supply and sewage transport and treatment systems operated efficiently and effectively.

Cr Bell said the LGAQ had long been urging successive governments to streamline regulatory and reporting arrangements covering water and it was good that Mr McArdle’s had pointed to navigating the existing bureaucratic and legislative maze as the biggest stumbling block to water reform.

Work on the plan, which the Government has said was aimed at delivering affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewage transport and treatment services, will include extensive consultation with utilities, industry experts, business and the community. 

Waste Levy Media Frenzy

One of the first tasks for the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell was given was to repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy.

The previous Labor Government only recently introduced a Waste Tax in December 2011, with a focus on reducing waste & promoting improved resource recovery.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 was introduced as an industry waste levy to create a price signal to encourage waste generators to focus on waste avoidance & resource recovery & to discourage unnecessary landfill disposal.

The levy was designed to ensure a level of consistency with waste disposal costs in other states to deter unnecessary disposal of interstate waste in Queensland.

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government can find alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.

This week, Tony Moore contacted ASBG to ask for a comment on the increase of waste being trucked into Queensland as a result of the removal of the $35/t Waste Levy.

The next day, this story appeared in the Brisbane Times.

ASBG was invited to be interviewed on ABC Local Radio Station: 612Brisbane.

This story aired on Steve Austin's Morning Program.  A little later this story appear in the Telegraph.   Gary Hargraves from 4BC chatted to ASBG briefly on his drive program.

ASBG don't fore see the Qld Government backing down on the removal of the waste levy in this term of Government.   The NSW Government is set to increase their levy.

Mine Fine

A North-West Queensland mining company was fined $500,000 and ordered to pay approximately $83,000 in investigation costs for unlawfully causing serious environmental harm as a result of uncontrolled discharges of highly contaminated water from its mine site in early 2009.

The Prosecution bulletin no. 3/2012 has been published on the EHP website. 

Waste Levy Media Frenzy

One of the first tasks for the new Environment Minister – Andrew Powell was given was to repeal the former Government’s Waste Levy.

The previous Labor Government only recently introduced a Waste Tax in December 2011, with a focus on reducing waste & promoting improved resource recovery.

The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 was introduced as an industry waste levy to create a price signal to encourage waste generators to focus on waste avoidance & resource recovery & to discourage unnecessary landfill disposal. 

The levy was designed to ensure a level of consistency with waste disposal costs in other states to deter unnecessary disposal of interstate waste in Queensland.

It remains to be seen if the Qld LNP Government can find alternative funding streams to deliver an industry driven waste strategy as part of the budget process.

Last night, Tony Moore called me at home to ask for a comment on the increase of waste being trucked into Queensland as a result of the removal of the $35/t Waste Levy....

The next day, this story appeared in the Brisbane Times.

Then the phone rang.

I was invited to be interviewed on ABC Local Radio Station: 612Brisbane by both Amanda Dell and Scott Sparks,

This story aired on Steve Austin's Morning Program.

A little later this story appear in the Telegraph

Gary Hargraves from 4BC chatted to me briefly on his drive program.

I don't fore see the Qld Government backing down on the removal of the waste levy.  The NSW Government is set to increase their levy.

By the time I got to speak to Nicole Dyer on ABC Local Radio on the Gold Coast, I was getting sick of the blame game.

It is a perverse outcome that waste is being transferred across vast distances but we (as a society) need to take more responsibility for the waste that we generate and work with regulators and service providers on better policies and different business models.

Perhaps we need to call this stuff something else other than "Waste"....

Mark McArdle: poo, wee and lifestyle choices

Is Mark McArdle taking an interest in Lifestyle Choices?

Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark McArdle

Thursday, August 23, 2012

30-year Queensland water plan in pipeline

The Newman Government has announced a 30-year vision for affordable, secure, sustainable and high quality water and sewerage services is being developed as part of the Six Month Action Plan.

Energy and Water Supply Minister Mark McArdle said planning for Queensland’s future water sector was critical to delivering a reliable and cost effective water and sewerage service and to maintaining business growth and lifestyle choices.

“Delivering a long-term water plan to harness the benefits and reduce the risks associated with our State’s naturally-occurring climate (drought and flood), is an essential part of our plan for growth,” Mr McArdle said.

“In contrast, Labor’s failure to plan resulted in the south east Queensland water supply crisis, followed by a panicked, $7 billion investment in redundant water assets and massive price hikes.”

Mr McArdle said his department was working with other state departments and agencies to prepare a ‘whole-of-government’ discussion paper on the challenges and opportunities facing Queensland’s water and sewerage supply system.

“The biggest stumbling block to realising a clear 30-year water supply plan for Queensland is navigating the legislative, bureaucratic and jurisdictional maze,” he said.

“Water is not something that simply comes out of a household tap and goes down a drain.

“Sewerage management is a key cost to water businesses and has significant environmental impacts. We need to consider the broader water cycle and how to best implement solutions.”

Mr McArdle said he looks forward to hearing the views of the local government sector, especially water and sewerage service providers, industry experts, community and businesses.

“The success of Queensland’s water future relies on government, industry and the community considering the challenges and solutions together,” he said.

The Queensland Water Sector Discussion Paper, to be released in December 2012, will consider water security and reliability, public health and safety, environmental outcomes, liveability (integrated water and land-use planning), industry resilience (including industry skills), water for Queensland industries (including agriculture and mining), partnerships and engagement, and affordability.

If CanDo ruled the Night garden

CanDo has already made a strong start in getting the Night Garden back on track by delivering all of the actions committed to in his First 100 Days Action Plan.

Delivery of these commitments clearly shows that what he promises, he will deliver.

In going beyond the first 100 days, and recognising the difficult decisions that CanDo has to make as highlighted by the Commission of Audit Interim Report, it is vital to continue to share our plans with the Night Garden and set out clear delivery targets.

CanDo is cutting red tape and regulation, speeding up project approvals for business to help get the Night Garden’s economy growing and creating jobs. Encouraging more business activity and more jobs creation is key to getting the Night Garden back on track.

This six month action plan sets out the way forward by building confidence in our economic future, increasing certainty for industry and delivering on the five pledges made to the residents of the Night Garden.

CanDo is committed to getting the Night Garden back on track by balancing the budget, achieving our four per cent unemployment target and continuing to oppose the impost on Night Garden businesses and communities that comes with the introduction of a price on pollution.

This plan sets out the priorities and deliverables for the next six months and will be the next yardstick used to measure CanDo progress in returning prosperity, accountability and opportunity to this Garden.

CanDo is committed to delivering the following actions over the next six months:

• The Tomliboos will be given the option to be registered;
• The Haahoos have all been sacked because they are not frontline;
• Upsy Daisy's arts funding (and/or rehabilitation programme) will be cut off;
• Replace the most of the Night Garden under an Agriculture Strategy (if there is any thing remaining under the Mining Strategy).
• Commence developing a Garden-wide approval process for wind farms.
• Amend the Racing Act to establish a new racing industry featuring the Ninky Nonk and the Pinky Ponk;
• Improve access for tourism and ecotourism operators in whats left of the Night Garden (after Mining and Agriculture);
• Support racing by introducing more gambling.
• Start rolling out more race meetings.
• Support development of a Mining project by amending relevant laws.
• Roll out of a metering policy for the Titifers.
• Improve reporting on current and future mining developments.
• Review legislation and regulation for the small mining sector to reduce red tape.
• Work with mining companies to finalise plans for a load out facility.
• Legislate to support the Night Garden Waterways Authority.
• Engage with key Pinky Ponk partners to attract new aviation business and routes into the Night Garden.
• Finalise the tourism strategy to provide marketing, product development and trade events opportunities.
• Amend the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act to get rid of the waste levy, to allow cheap dumping of waste from the Gardens next door..
• Review the overarching framework for the Biodiversity Offsets Policy, to encourage more mining.
• Finalise a revised Coal Seam Gas Water Management Policy.
• Establish agreements with mining, construction, agricultural and tourism companies for Pontipine employment opportunities..
• Commence a process to restore access for beekeepers to the Night Garden
• Invest in the future of the sugar industry by providing first funding to the Bureau of Sugar Experiment Stations.
• Develop a Night Garden timber industry plan.