Gilbert + Sutherland

Gilbert & Sutherland Principal Agricultural & Environmental Scientist Neil Sutherland has told a Queensland Environmental Law Association (QLEA) seminar that more consultation over a new Temporary State Planning Policy (TSPP) is warranted.

Neil told the seminar that the assumptions underpinning TSPP No.1/2010, ‘Protecting Wetlands of High Ecological Significance in Great Barrier Reef Catchments’ needed further scrutiny and greater stakeholder consultation. He said in some instances, conflict could arise due to the ‘wetland’ definitions used and the default buffer requirements specified. TSPP 1/10 will restrict or ban major agricultural earthworks adjacent to or upstream of wetlands, effectively limiting cropping choices for the first time.

Neil is a former Chairman of the Queensland Acid Sulfate Soils Committee (including the Technical Committee), which helped frame State Planning Policy 2/2002 ‘Planning and Managing Development Involving Acid Sulfate Soils’ and its supporting guideline. He was also the Independent Chair of the Gold Coast WaterFuture Committee that facilitated the development of the Gold Coast WaterFuture Strategy.

‘It’s vitally important to consult widely before introducing such policies,’ Sutherland said. ‘It wouldn’t help anyone if the temporary policy has the effect of engendering conflict on a local level.’