Queensland planner Journal of the Queensland planning profession Summer 2016 Vol.56 No. 4

The environment... ultimate legacy or balancing act? This issue

From the president 1 Plan Queensland From the chief executive offi cer 2 Planning for Queensland’s environment, community and economy - a balancing act 16 planner From the editor 3 Journal of the Queensland planning profession Summer 2016 Vol.56 No. 4 Th e sustainability of the new News SEQ Regional Plan 18 2016 PIA Awards for Planning Excellence Chain of responsibility laws 20 in Queensland 4 Natural hazard mitigation planning in the Grapes, apples and planning in Stanthorpe 6 United States 22 Climate change, Paris and coastal planning 8 Tree envy - in a changing climate, urban Th e degree of Master of Urban Studies, greening can save lives and money 24 University of Queensland – a retrospective 9 Recognising indigenous rights in planning 26 Leading women in planning recognised 10 Warding off disaster by planning resilient HOW TO manage density in greenfi elds communities 28 and brownfi elds sites 11 People The environment... HOW TO navigate the EPBC Act Welcome to new members 30 ultimate legacy or balancing act? referral and approval process 12 Q&A - Richard Moore 31 Editor: Dan Molloy HOW TO implement best practice Place Committee: Rachel Jones stormwater management 13 Matthew Leman PIA (Assoc.) Th e Great Wall of South Bank 14 Tropical Urbanism – Cairns City Image Linda Tait RPIA Letter to the editor 15 Study 32 John Van As MPIA Postcard from Oahu 37 Environmental Planning Convenor: Laura Gannon MPIA Cover design: Zara Ali - www.zaraali.com.au Cover image: Meeting of the Waters, Warrie Circuit, Springbrook National Park (2016). Courtesy Georgina Pratten

Next edition Season’son’s Th e focus for the Autumn 2017 edition is Transformation. Other contributions that relate to current planning issues are also welcome. Contributions should be between Greetings 1,200 and 1,800 words and may be edited. Images, graphs and photographs are The PIA Queensland office essential. Language should be direct, concise and targeted at a wide audience. Items may be reproduced with acknowledgement. Xmas break will be from close of business on Monday 19 Contributions for the Autumn 2017 edition are to be received by Friday 10 February 2017. Email [email protected] December 2016, re-opening on Monday 9 January 2017. Note - Th e views expressed in Queensland Planner are not necessarily the views of the Planning Institute of Australia, the editor, the editorial committee or Best wishes to all members, contributors’ employers. All statements are believed to be true and accurate, but cannot be guaranteed and no liability will be accepted for any error or omission. sponsors, advertisers and Advertisements must comply with relevant legislation. Responsibility for supporters for a safe and compliance rests with the person or company submitting the advertisement. happy festive season and for Queensland Planner Journal of the Queensland planning profession. a prosperous and rewarding December 2016, Vol 56, No4 Printed on 113gsm Titan Gloss, which is a 2017. carbon neutral paper produced using sustainable forest raw material. ABN: 34 151 601 937 ISSN: 1326-3374 From the president

Series 3-0, primarily thanks to Peter Our outreach to rural and regional areas, Sterling and Brett Kenny. in response to member concerns, has been ramped up, with: It was in 1986, with no budget, an enthusiastic Awards Committee was formed. • our Central Queensland Convenor I would like to personally thank and Julie Brook holding another planning recognise on behalf of the Planning Institute symposium in Mackay; of Australia, the foresight of that initial • our North Queensland Convenor Committee in recognising the value and Phillipa Galligan holding a planning contribution that we as planners or indeed our symposium in Townsville; planning customers make to our communities. • our (former) Darling Downs and Th e initial committee consisted of the late Lockyer Valley Convenor Josh Leddy co- Basil Veal, Noel Christie and Mark Doonar. ordinating PIA’s fi rst Rural and Regional Importantly, these events cannot succeed Planning Conference in Stanthorpe; and without the support of sponsors. I wish • the decision to hold the State conference Todd Rohl MPIA to thank our 2016 Awards sponsors in in 2017 in Bundaberg to be led by Wide It was my absolute pleasure and privilege particular our long standing gold sponsor, Bay/Burnett Convenor Michael Ellery. the Queensland Government, our silver to provide opening remarks at the recent To all our convenors and our young planner PIA Awards for Planning Excellence in sponsor Brisbane City Council and our bronze sponsors – Allens, City of Gold Coast; network, thank you for eff orts in 2016. You Queensland dinner recognising planning are greatly appreciated and valued. excellence, planning contribution and Buckley Vann; Colin, Biggers and Paisley; planning achievement. Ipswich City Council; Gadens Lawyers; and What we saw in 2016, as we collaborated Toowoomba Regional Council. We also and consulted across the State was enormous Th e iconic Gabba played host to the event appreciate the support of Powerlink Qld, innovation, dedication and commitment to with more than 200 guests including Th e Mackay Regional Council and the Wendy great planning outcomes. Th is is refl ected in Hon Jackie Trad MP, Deputy Premier and Chadwick Memorial Trust. the comments from the Awards Committee Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and judges about the awards. Th e Awards and Planning, and Minister for Trade and It has been a big year for planning. A range of matters impacted on how we do business Committee and judges said they were Investment, Ian Walker MP, Opposition overwhelmed by the standard and calibre of spokesperson for planning, a range of mayors every day. We have seen a range of legislative and policy changes including: entries this year and it is testament to the and councillors from across the State, PIA Life quality of planning occurring in Queensland. Fellows, PIA Fellows, PIA CEO Kirsty Kelly, • a new Planning Act; Chair of the Commonwealth Association Th e diversity of winners is a refl ection of what • a long-awaited SEQ Regional Plan; and of Planners Dy Currie and Immediate Past is unique to our industry. Very few, if any, President Kate Isles. • many announcements such as the NQ industries work across as many sectors as we Regional Plan. do. Some of us are regulators and enablers, Th e night was a very signifi cant milestone some of us developers, some of us community for our industry. It was 30 years ago the idea We saw growth blossom in the fi nancial year advocates, environmental scientists, real estate of recognising planning excellence, planning 15/16 with: agents, infrastructure planners and the like. contribution and planning achievements was • residential building approvals rising 11%; born. Th is diversity requires us to consider a broad • non-residential building approvals rising church of views and walk a tightrope in It was the time when: 12.9%; balancing the views of our members when • Ronald Reagan was the President of the creating policy positions and advocating for • Qld taking 18.9% share of national United States; better communities and a better Queensland. population growth. • Bob Hawke was the Prime Minister of Th is broad diversity is our strength and it is Australia; All this means is more work for planners and my view this strength is bound by a common our planning customers. • Joh Bjelke-Petersen was re-elected the thread; a belief that as planners, regardless of Premier of Queensland with an absolute In 2016 PIA Queensland commenced the what we do, or who we work for, we seek to majority and 38.6 percent of the primary review of the awards, met with red and blue create better communities and places. vote; political leaders and have been chipping away In 2016, I would like to sincerely thank at policy documents for consultation with our PIA’s Queensland staff , all individuals who • when crocodiles and a man called members on: Dundee took Hollywood by storm; voluntarily supported the Queensland • responding to the digital world; Division in some form and all planners and • when Neighbours was launched and still our planning customers, for your input, • planning for the indigenous estate; graces, our nightly television screens; debate and passion shown on planning • the songs We Built this City by Starship • transport; and matters in 2016. It is valued and appreciated. and, You’re the Voice by John Farnham • regional planning. A special vote of thanks and appreciation to were Number 1 hits in Australia; Th e continuing professional development Dan, “the Man”, Molloy. Th is is his last edition • At Talaq won the Melbourne Cup; of members and non-members on all things as editor of Queensland Planner. A valued friend of the Planning Institute of Australia. • Hawthorn won the Victorian AFL; planning continues to thrive under the leadership of our convenor Rosanne Meurling Have a great holiday season and look • New South Wales won the State Origin and her team. forward to 2017 with gusto. Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 1 From the chief executive officer Reflections on PIA’s journey Kirsty Kelly RPIA, Chief Executive Officer

In taking on my “dream job” as a 34-year- as highly competent, qualifi ed planning old back in 2011, it’s fair to say that I professionals. knew that I had a big job ahead of me. Th ere is still some way to go in But as I bow out, now at 40, I’m fi lled implementing Registered Planner, but with pride to see how much the Institute alongside the supply of Registered has grown and transformed. Th ere is, of Planners we are focusing equally on the course, still much to be done. However, creation of a demand for Registered I leave knowing that there’s a solid Kirsty Kelly RPIA Planner. Unfortunately, I won’t get to foundation and structures in place for the see this through, but early indications next CEO to take PIA to the next level. I of a Cities Minister, with PIA playing a across the country are that governments look forward to watching the next stage role in the collaborative advocacy that and industry are interested in Registered of PIA’s journey and will be cheering saw the inclusion of a Cities portfolio in Planners as a means of assuring that from the sidelines. the Ministry. Th is was taken up by Angus the advice guiding the planning and Taylor MP as the Assistant Minister for I believe it’s critical for growth to development of our cities and regions is Cities and Digital Transformation, and periodically pause and refl ect on progress coming from appropriately qualifi ed and retained following the federal election. and achievements, to learn from the capable professionals. PIA has engaged strongly with the challenges and celebrate the successes. Aligned with PIA’s commitment to Minister and supporting departmental 2016 saw the completion of the 2012- developing high quality planners, our teams to assist in shaping the cities 2015 Strategic Plan and the endorsement CPD and University Accreditation agenda. City Deals – a concept PIA of the new PIA2031 Strategic Plan for policies have been reviewed and updated advocated for in the 2013 federal election the coming 15 years. Th e directions of in the past year, providing a strong as part of the Urban Coalition – has the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan centred basis for the education and professional also been taken up federally this year, heavily round the implementation of the development of planners. Th is is representing another policy win for our Membership Retention & Recruitment supported by a strengthened program Institute. It has been fantastic to be Strategy. Membership growth through of professional development across the personally involved in the collaboration Planning Matters: Membership Matters country, including a nationally available and advocacy that led to these outcomes, has seen a 6% increase in members, with program of webinars and a commitment with various professional and industry PIA hitting a high of 5,286 members to the sustainable expansion of Victoria’s groups coming together and uniting for a on 30 June. Th is follows growth in the Planet program to other states and common cause. previous two years, which is a pleasing territories. trend and further cements PIA’s position Supporting the need for better cities, PIA as the representative body for planning in Queensland volunteers have stepped is a key member of the Parliamentary Australia. up on the national stage this year to Friends of Better Cities group, which is a put on a couple of spectacular events. non-partisan group through which PIA Th e substantive focus of the past year National Congress in Brisbane this year and other collaborators can engage with has been on Registered Planner as the had the largest numbers of delegates, parliamentarians. Th is has raised PIA’s organisation’s most critical strategic and (importantly) the largest cohort of profi le and provided the platform for the initiative. Th e commencement of the PIA members, attending in at least the launch of our Journey towards 50 million rollout of Registered Planner in early last decade. To compliment the urban report - Th rough the lens: megatrends 2016 was the culmination of more focus of Congress, this year we’ve recently shaping our future. Th is was a great than three years of work to review successfully trialled the inaugural national success, attracting ongoing attention via a and transform CPP into a credible, Rural and Regional Planning Conference sustained social media campaign. competency-based model. Reaching this held also in Queensland – Stanthorpe milestone is a personal career highlight Social media, traditional media and - meeting the needs of our planners for me, involving countless hours of deep other communications have been an working outside of the major capitals. thinking, robust discussions and extensive area of increased focus in the past year Th e call for a Rural and Regional Charter research. Following a signifi cant program with the employment of a national for PIA arising from that event is a great of member and stakeholder consultation, Communications Manager. Our media example of the passion of PIA members. I believe that we have developed a presence increased substantially, and more robust model that has learned from It has been a strong year in policy & recently we have formed a partnership that the lessons of CPP and will position advocacy nationally, with PIA releasing will see PIA stories promoting planning PIA and Registered Planners to be the fi rst of its Journey towards 50 million reach an audience of more than 50,000 via recognised by government and industry reports. 2016 has also been the fi rst year an allied industry online platform. 2 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 From the editor

his work in positioning Queensland Th anks to all authors and contributors Planner as a magazine–journal, over the last three years with a special somewhere between ‘folksy’ and acknowledgment to state presidents ‘academic’. Kate Isles and Todd Rohl. Special thanks to the Queensland Planner Working with the dedicated editorial editorial committee, currently Linda committee, a number of issues have Tait, John Van As, Rachel Jones and featured large pictorials, particularly Matthew Leman, for their insights, when the region that hosted a major ideas and commitment to the PIA event was featured. Th ese included publication. Also to past committee Gold Coast (Spring 2014), Townsville members Nikki Huddy, Eve Vickerson (Spring 2015) and Darling Downs and Daniela Walker for their input. My (Spring 2016). Our focus on Brisbane thanks to Melanie from the PIA QLD (Summer 2015) set the scene for the offi ce for coordination of advertisers Dan Molloy city as host of this year’s National and distribution. Th is fi nal edition for 2016 takes a close Congress. look at a range of environmental topics So after twelve editions I’ve decided to and issues that should be of interest More recently we have harnessed the call it a day. It’s time for someone new to all planners. As well, we celebrate power of the Queensland Committee to make the running. Th e fi rst edition the success of the inaugural Rural and and invited convenors to join the in 2017 will be about ‘Transformation’. Regional Planning Conference held at editorial committee for specifi c I look forward to seeing this applied to Stanthorpe in October and the 30th editions. Th is year Shannon Batch Queensland Planner too. year of the PIA Awards for Planning (Transport), Josh Leddy (Conference) Best wishes Excellence in Queensland. and Laura Gannon (Environment) Th is edition is also my fi nal as editor. I have been integral in the process Dan Molloy inherited the role from Mike McKeown of compiling each of the last three Editor at the end of 2013 and have continued editions.

from page 2 committees and working groups across PIA is at the forefront of our industry in PIA is continuing to look for new ways to the country give up much of their time the fl exibility and adaptability of its work increase our presence as the trusted voice to contribute to advancing PIA and environment, which has enabled us to for planning. the profession. I’d also like to take the attract and retain good talent. I am very opportunity to thank the past volunteers, proud of being able to provide a career Governance of the Institute is undergoing Directors and Presidents of the path within PIA through which I’ve continuous improvement and is well Queensland Division for their support of watched several team members blossom supported by the Board Secretariat, me personally on the journey over the last and grow professionally to take on with a new electronic voting system six years, including Gary White MPIA leadership roles. introduced this year to further enhance (Life Fellow), Sonia Kirby MPIA, Greg the quality of PIA’s governance systems. My heartfelt thanks to my team, past and Tupicoff MPIA, Dyan Currie FPIA CPP, Financial performance is solid, with the present, for all your hard work on behalf Darren Crombie MPIA CPP, Kate Isles Board making strategic decisions to invest of our members and for your support MPIA and Todd Rohl MPIA. I would in advancing Registered Planner, resulting of me over the past six years as CEO. It also like to acknowledge the great work in a modest profi t. Membership, event has truly been an amazing experience to and support of PIA’s Queensland-based attendance and strong support from succeed in my dream job. Now it’s time staff , past and present, including Kay our sponsors continue to be the main to pursue a new dream. Duggan, Dan Molloy, Mel Adam, Dion fi nancial drivers of PIA’s success. PIA’s Adam, Gillian Morgan and Richard Kirsty Kelly CEO management continues to prove that it Moore. is adept at controlling expenditure and generating revenue in a constrained and PIA is very fortunate to have this fantastic competitive operating environment. team of staff , and I have had the privilege Once again, the PIA team and the of helping to guide them. We have taken multitude of volunteers across the the concept of ‘OnePIA’ and made it country have put in an enormous eff ort business as usual, moving from what was this year. Th e National President, PIA once a very parochial culture to forming Board, Division Presidents, Division a unifi ed national organisation that works Committees and a raft of other closely and positively together. I believe

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 3 News 2016 PIA Awards for Planning Excellence in Queensland Brisbane 11 November 2016

AWARDS FOR PLANNING EXCELLENCE2016 QUEENSLAND

GOLD SPONSOR

SILVER SPONSOR

Th e 30th PIA Awards in Planning Outstanding Student Project Excellence were celebrated at a gala Award – Tertiary dinner at the famous ‘Gabba’ on Friday November 11. Commendation only - no award in 2016

BRONZE SPONSORS Here we present a list of the winners and Sponsor: Queensland Government sponsors. Congratulations to the winners Award for Excellence – Cutting and commendation recipients and a Edge Research and Teaching thank you to our generous sponsors. A full list of winners and commendations Mastering the Art of Planning - 100 can be found in the Commemorative Stories from Urban Planning Practice by Book on the PIA website. Robin King-Cullen RPIA (Life Fellow) - Planning Secrets Awards for Excellence – Category Winners Award for Excellence – Best Planning Ideas Award – Small Project Award for Excellence – Outstanding Student Project Tropical Urbanism - Cairns City Image Study by Cairns Regional Council, Tract Award – Secondary SUPPORTERS Consultants, Follent, Peddle Th orp, Light Rail Investigation by Emma CA Architects, Total Projects Group McIntyre – Mt St Michaels College Architects Sponsor: Queensland Government Sponsor: City of Gold Coast

Planner of the Year - Kate Isles MPIA with John Adams RPIA (Fellow) Young Planner of the Year - Julie Brook MPIA 4 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 News

Best Planning Ideas Large Project - Moreton Bay Regional Council Great Place - Beenleigh Town Square

Award for Excellence – Best Wendy Chadwick Encouragement Award for Excellence – Overall Planning Ideas Award – Large Award Winner Project Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country Tropical Urbanism - Cairns City Image Moreton Bay Region University Precinct by Terrain Natural Resource Management Study by Cairns Regional Council, Tract by Moreton Bay Regional Council Consultants, Follent, Peddle Th orp, CA Sponsor: Brisbane City Council Architects, Total Projects Group Architects Sponsor: Gadens Lawyers Award for Excellence – The Award for Excellence – From Plan Robert Swider Memorial Award to Place Young Planner of the Year Kwong Sang Walk by Toowoomba Julie Brook MPIA Regional Council, Dig It Landscapes, Place Design Group, Deicke Richards, Urbis Sponsor: Queensland Government Sponsor: Colin Biggers & Paisley Award for Excellence – Planner of the Year Award for Excellence – The Hard Won Victory Kate Isles MPIA Loganholme Local Plan by Logan City Sponsor: City of Ipswich Council Sponsor: Toowoomba Regional Council Award for Excellence – Improving Planning Processes and Practices Gold Coast Flora & Fauna Database by City of Gold Coast Sponsor: Buckley Vann Planning + Development Award for Excellence – Public Engagement and Community Planning Clifton Township Concept Master Plan by Tract Consultants, Toowoomba Regional Council, Clifton State High School Award for Excellence – Great Place Beenleigh Town Square by Logan City Council Secondary Student Commendation - Georgia Cutting Edge Research and Teaching - Robin King- Sponsor: Allens Mignone with Deputy Premier Jackie Trad MP Cullen RPIA (Life Fellow) with Nicole Bennetts MPIA Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 5 News Grapes, apples and planning in Stanthorpe Josh Leddy MPIA

On 26-28 October, over 160 delegates joined Th e conference was held at the Queensland Special thanks to Annette Doherty MPIA CPP, us for PIA’s inaugural Rural and Regional College of Wine Tourism, where delegates Ken Harris and team for their informative Planning Conference in Stanthorpe. Th e two enjoyed a smorgasbord of the tastes and fl avours walking tour. days involved intensive discussion, an emphasis of the Southern Downs. It was a great success, on information exchange, collaboration and as people came together to share a real sense Th ere were many impressive presentations over presentations by leaders in their fi elds. At least of camaraderie, share in common issues and the two days. A fl avour of both keynote and key a third of those attending were from outside appreciate the opportunity to explore and message presentations included those from: Queensland and all mainland states and exchange ideas and approaches suited to rural • Costa Georgiadis, host of Gardening territories were represented. and regional Australia. Many rated it the best Australia, gave a brilliant and inspirational conference they’d been to! address. He likened planners to Caper On Wednesday, study tours included both bushes, which are deep-rooted plants - like a bicycle and bus option. Th e bicycle tour the roots a planner has in their community, included a 25km bike ride and was co-led by where the outcomes we plan for are our conference Master of Ceremonies (MC) resilient to the political and social changes. Greg Vann LFPIA CPP and illustrious ‘Southern Costa also saw planners in rural and Downite’ Cecil Barnard MPIA; who both wore regional areas as not only ’tough mongrels’ the yellow leaders jersey on the tour which took but also ‘vascular surgeons’ i.e. standing in local landmarks, some big granite boulders, tall and steadfast in the face of a challenge and a fi nal sprint to a winery or two. Planners and that we are facilitative in clearing on this tour experienced the natural beauty, unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles, with landscape and eco-tourism opportunities on ‘the the intention of allowing essential lifeblood Downs’. to keep pumping through the town. Costa also refl ected on the positive contribution Th e bus tour was led by Clancy Sloan PIA of planning to the communities he has (Assoc.) from Southern Downs Regional worked in, however he believes that we Council (SDRC) and involved discussion on need to celebrate the outcomes more often, the planning issues and responses surrounding and focus less on the process. local land uses such as tourism, wine-making, agriculture and other ‘foodie’ industries. Th e • Jennifer Howard, Assistant Minister for tour started with Sutton’s Farm juice factory, Local Government, spoke to the wide cidery and distillery; followed by a visit to one of program of regional planning initiatives the region’s largest apple packing sheds, and was being undertaken by the Queensland rounded out with a wine tasting masterclass at Government. Summit Estate Wines. Th e planners on this tour • Greg Chemello MPIA, General Manager enjoyed a fi rst-hand look into the importance of for Economic Development Queensland, agro-tourism and unique planning issues on the presented on the ‘Advancing our cities and Southern Downs. regions strategy’ and strategies on regional planning.org.au/qld SDRC (our host local government) led a main liveability precincts and sustainable energy street heritage tour on Th ursday morning. projects.

Planners cycle Speakers catch up - Costa Georgiadis and Ian Sinclair MPIA (Fellow) 6 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 News

• Professor Jim Cavaye, from the University collaborative partnership between the state, local of Southern Queensland’s Institute for government and community to help this smaller Resilient Regions presented a wide ranging local government plan for their communities via take on the challenges facing our regions, a streamlined plan-making process. as well as the opportunities they uniquely Th anks to the team of fi ve who presented present. informative snapshots on agricultural land • Brittany Lauga MPIA - MP for Keppel - management, and the intensive poultry and chaired a Q and A inspired panel discussion pork industries - Stephen Potts (DAF), Mark which included notable practitioners and Baker-Jones and Nell van Weerdenburg (both academics from the planning industry. Dibbs Barker), David Ireland MPIA (PSA) and Th is included insights from a politician’s Janine Price (Australian Pork Limited). Th e perspective, and involved discussion on diversity of presentations was as impressive as the what role a planner may play in their high quality of delivery by all. Th e focused rural communities. and regional theme produced a great sharing of • Ian Sinclair MPIA (Fellow) and George planning knowledge from across Australia. Milford MPIA both talked ‘Food over One of the key benefi ts of holding a conference Food’ at a special Friday morning breakfast in a rural and regional area is the ability to session. Th is included discussing planning, experience the town as a local would. Th e main food security and promoting agro-eco- conference dinner was hosted at the Granite Belt tourism and artisan farming opportunities. Brewery, and involved sampling the local craft Stanthorpe Charter • Stuart Moseley RPIA (Fellow), Deputy beer. Th e wrap up social function was held at Specialist input and advice from Andrew Foley Director General of DILGP, presented on a local historic pub, where Costa joined us for MPIA (USQ), Ian Sinclair MPIA (Fellow) regional futures, including the benefi ts of the evening talking about tales from the road (Edge Planning), Marita Basson MPIA (USQ), planning at a regional level, and how this and his experiences in working directly with the Paula Grant RPIA (TRC) and Richard Moore can be approached to address planning community on contributing to a town’s identity. (PIA QLD) was also greatly appreciated. To issues such as confl icts between town During the planning and preparation of the Greg Vann LFPIA CPP for his skilled and development/growth and regionally conference, the organising committee recognised entertaining duties as MC - thank you! He kept important agricultural industries. the need for an outcome of the conference. the conference running effi ciently and is a born • Kirsty Kelly RPIA, PIA CEO, presented Th is was the inception point for the Rural and natural to that role. on the role and importance of rural and Regional Planning Charter. Th e charter attempts regional areas in strategies looking forward to establish a strategy for a planning agenda Our sponsors also deserve a special thanks; to an Australia with a population of 50 for a more liveable and prosperous future for Major - Queensland Government through million people. rural and regional communities and planning in DILGP; Gold - City of Logan; Silver - Colin Australia. Th e charter received positive support Biggers and Paisley; Toowoomba Regional Th e conference was also fortunate to receive over and comment, and will be distributed to all Council and John Gaskell Planning Consultants; 65 high quality abstracts, and 28 were selected attendees for further consideration. Trevor Special and event sponsors and supporters – to present at concurrent sessions. Some which Budge AM MPIA (Life Fellow), from City of Southern Downs Regional Council; Buckley attracted a lot of interest included Sue Calvin Greater Bendigo, also led a very productive Vann – Planning + Development; King and from Taree (NSW) about the eff ectiveness group discussion on Friday afternoon. Company - Solicitors; University of Southern of tactical urbanism in the main street of a Queensland; Edge - Land Planning and Reel regional town and Th omas ‘Sherlock’ Gardiner Th e organising committee also deserves a Planning - Urban and Rural Strategies. MPIA (Rockhampton), a young planner who huge congratulations and acknowledgement; outlined the lessons learnt and how to wrangle the committee included Cecil Barnard MPIA At the last call on Friday afternoon there was the rural/regional planning bull by the horns. In (SDRC), Chris Buckley MPIA (Life Fellow) a strong vote to conduct a second rural and addition, Stephen Smith (DILGP) presented a (Tract), Damian Rigby MPIA (TRC), Hayley regional planning conference within 12 months masterclass on the Murweh (Charleville) south- Seears PIA (Graduate) (TRC), Mel Adam (PIA … so watch this space in a rural and west planning scheme project, which involved a QLD) and myself as conference convenor. regional community near you!

The Stanthorpe cohort Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 7 News Climate change, Paris and coastal planning Laura Gannon MPIA

Professor and Director of the Global record breaking temperatures experienced Change Institute at the University of in 2015. To date, including 2015, 15 of the Queensland, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, 16 warmest years on record have occurred delivered this year’s Keeble Lecture on the during the 21st century. Th e odd sceptic topic of climate change, the Paris agreement may emerge forth and seek to rationalise and coastal planning. With a background in this trend by suggesting it could be part biology, Ove has focused his studies on the of long-term weather variability. What impacts of climate change, particularly as does Ove think? It is diffi cult to dismiss Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg they relate to the Great Barrier Reef. He has climate change as a signifi cant factor in shift, we need our communities to be featured on the ABC program ‘Australian global warming trends when solid science aware, and to be protected. We also need to Story’ and having him deliver this year’s says we should be seeing more extreme protect our invaluable environment and all Keeble Lecture was a true privilege. Ove’s temperatures and weather events, and we in of its natural functions. lecture was on point, only weeks after fact are. If we consider the impact of the the release of the Queensland Climate Th e reality is that major changes will Adaptation Directions Statement, and Christchurch earthquake, 50 years’ worth occur across every sector of society, every of sea level rise impact occurred in just a immediately following the enactment of ecosystem and every bit of geography the Paris Accord on 4 November, putting few seconds due to the ‘sinking’ of large across the globe. Th e risk from coastal stretches of the city. We don’t know what in place legally binding limits on global fl ooding alone is estimated well into the warming for the fi rst time. is around the corner, events that could hundreds of billions of dollars in Australia, potentially expedite long term impacts. Ove commenced his lecture highlighting which includes a signifi cant proportion of that the concentration of dialogue and essential community infrastructure. Th e Despite this, Ove conveys the message communication with regard to climate tourism industry in Australia is particularly of a good news story. We have solutions, change impact must tie back to the solid vulnerable. Great Barrier Reef mortality and we have the opportunity to change. scientifi c base which exists, with 97% is escalating, likely faster than you might We have the opportunity to mitigate and of climate papers stating a position on have anticipated. Ove suggests that by the to formulate adaptation plans. We can human-caused global warming, agreeing mid-point of this century it is potentially mitigate and adapt to climate change. that global warming is happening and that going to be ‘curtains’ for the Great Barrier we are the cause. Unfortunately, a great Reef unless signifi cant action is taken on a deal of confusion now exists off the back of global scale to mitigate the impact of global the peddling of certain interests by certain warming. Like it or not, this means carbon organisations and to suit certain political pricing. It may not be the only tool in the agendas. toolbox, but it is a fairly critical one because Looking through the planning lens, climate of the need to drive a rapid change. Th e change impacts translate to more than just longer we resist, the more signifi cant the dealing with a rising sea level and more carbon reduction measures will need to be intense natural hazard impacts – as if the over a shorter period of time. task ahead wasn’t already monumental. It is Th e Paris Accord implies that 95 per cent also about facilitating a changing economy of fossil fuels now must stay in the ground. in key areas such as energy generation, Whilst there may be approximately 15,000 transport, manufacturing, and the list goes GT of CO2 (fossil fuel reserves) yet to be on. Changing employment markets are capitalised upon, we now have a budget. key to improved climate mitigation and Th at budget is 500 GT of CO2 that we adaptation, and fostering such changes globally have left to emit to the atmosphere sooner rather than later is imperative to before global warming exceeds 2 degrees. maintaining economic, environmental and Th at equates to about 15 years’ worth of social well-being. carbon emissions at current rates. Th us, we In terms of how we are currently tracking, have a fi nite window for action. Ove spoke to a rapid upward trend of What does this mean for planners? Th e temperatures over the past +100 years, impact of climate change is going to be with 2016 tracking to take the title of the felt much sooner than you or I may have warmest year on record, beating out the anticipated. We need our economies to

8 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 News The degree of Master of Urban Studies, University of Queensland – a retrospective Victor Feros MPIA (Life Fellow)

Having recently been notifi ed of a degree courses, as these substantially of post graduate studies. Not even a handful University of Queensland (UQ) Planning overlapped with the options in the MUS actively pursued a solely town planning Alumni Reunion, I was prompted to course” (the options were, principally, vocation – not in any way an adverse reminisce about the pioneering Master of Urban and Regional Planning, but also commentary, rather due acknowledgement Urban Studies Degree (MUS) course. included Governement, Law, Urban to the very multi-disciplinary ethos of the Design, amongst others). In consequence, degree, which after all was its intended Professor Lewis Keeble, Past President and the Urban Studies Masters was replaced by purpose. Life Fellow – uniquely, and what is more, the Master of Urban and Regional Planning Th e MUS recipients were: for all time – of both the British Royal Degree (MURP), however with noticeably Town Planning Institute and of the Royal reduced curricular requirements. Brown, A Lex Jones, Ronald S Australian Planning Institute, conceived the Master of Urban Studies Degree curriculum Th e conferral of the Master of Urban Brown, Darrell D Jordan, James G at UQ in 1968 and introduced it in 1969, Studies Degree was accordingly limited Brown, Ronald A McNaught, Donald V refl ecting his visionary commitment to to 1971 – 1979, with just 22 awarded, Davis, Brian C Mersiades, Nicholas G overwhelmingly to male recipients (21). multi-disciplinary planning. Divett, Neil G Pearse, Samuel H Th ese graduates were dominated by Th e Department of Town Planning Feeney, Brian J Piggott, Christopher M surveyors, engineers and architects, with commenced at UQ in 1972. Feros, Victor G Snelling, John D. F possibly only one emerging from the Notwithstanding the outstanding success (the geographer) humanities (in Geography). Toms, Kenneth N of initial enrolment placements, the Board Glasscock, James T.C Will, Barry F of Studies in Urban Studies recommended Sadly, a signifi cant number of recipients Haupt, W. Th omas in 1975 the curtailment of the MUS have since passed on, which is unsurprising, Wheeler, A. John “because of the introduction of the Masters given the passage of some 40 years and Higginson, Colin R Yardley, of Regional Science and other new Masters more, and the very nature of later-age entry Hitchcock, Pacquita Dennis V

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 9 News Leading women in planning recognised Shane Spargo MPIA

At the Awards dinner on 11 November, Sandy Vigar and Mary Mealey were elevated to Life Fellow and Fellow respectively. Sandy Vigar has given conspicuous service to the profession of planning and to PIA over her 37 years of professional practice. Th ere are few in the profession who share the depth and breadth of Sandy’s professional experience. Sandy is a past president of the Queensland Division of PIA and is distinguished as the fi rst female National President. Sandy has been a natural leader in her places of employment from a young age, and leading major multi- disciplinary project teams is her forte. In these many ways her career is ground breaking for women in the planning profession in Australia. Similarly, Mary Mealey helped pave the way for women professionals over thirty years and has actively promoted the objectives of the profession both through Sandy Vigar MPIA (Life Fellow) with Medina Handley MPIA and Todd Rohl MPIA her work and through involvement with the PIA. She has been a strong supporter of professional development over many years, including her regular commitment to the PIA mentoring program. Mary has contributed to the education and professional development of young planners and that commitment continues today via her consulting in a senior policy and education role with the Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning on the current evolution of Queensland’s planning legislation. Congratulations Sandy and Mary – wear your pins with pride.

Mary Mealey MPIA (Fellow) 10 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 News

2016 HOW TO Seminar Series

HOW TO manage density in greenfields and brownfields sites Steve Craven MPIA

At the September HOW TO seminar, including Ridgewood (in Parkinson), interaction with neighbours. In addition, the audience was treated to a residential Northlakes, Bells Reach (Caloundra the rear lanes open up opportunities for urban design lesson by Peter Egerton, West), Fitzgibbon Chase and Sunshine alternative housing forms, such as loft Regional Technical Director – Urban Cove (Maroochydore). Th ese and other homes above garages. Design, RPS Group. examples show a gradual increase in Th e lessons learnt can be summarised as: housing density since small lot housing With a brief to outline responses to the was “introduced” some 25 years ago. It • Orientation for optimum exposure to challenge of increasing densities to meet has mainly been achieved by increasing sunlight and breeze is vital, though in dwelling targets, Peter began with a quick the proportion of small lots and Queensland, that is not necessarily to history lesson as a reminder that small- experimenting with terrace housing lots the north. lot living is not new. Despite planning as small as 70m2, but market acceptance • Parks assume great importance to strategies designed to markedly increase has not been quick or guaranteed. Of the compensate for limited on-site open densities, average suburban densities have examples, the current stages of Fitzgibbon space; a number of small/pocket parks eff ectively lifted in recent years from 15 Chase have the greatest net residential that are immediately accessible to dwellings per hectare to 20-25 dwellings density, at 38 dwellings per hectare. houses is preferable to conventional, per hectare. larger but less accessible parks. Fitzgibbon is also perhaps the most • Although a planning strategy may target Nevertheless, in certain developments, innovative of the examples given. It has high residential densities, the experience substantially higher densities are experimented extensively with housing is that the market has been cautious and being achieved. Peter detailed the form and layouts, including rear access may not accept it, so it should experiences of a number of residential and utility lanes that leave front yards not be relied on entirely to communities developed in recent years, free of cars and the “streets” available for achieve dwelling targets.

PLANNING ESSENTIALS – 2017 seminar series

PIA is excited to launch the 2017 premium PD seminar Th e seminars will be held in Brisbane City and will also series – PLANNING ESSENTIALS. be available via Livestream for those not able to attend in person. More details on each seminar and registration Continuing to build on the success of previous HOW arrangements are available on the PIA website: www. TO series, PLANNING ESSENTIALS is a suite of 10 in planning.org.au/qld. depth seminars tailored to provide essential knowledge and skills to planning professionals and those they work Not only is it an excellent opportunity to extend with. Th e seminars cover topics that planners deal with essential professional skills, but you will also earn PD every day and will be presented by recognised industry points and build your networks over light refreshments experts, including: off ered prior to the Brisbane event. Book all 10 seminars • Essential project management for planners by Friday 20 January 2017 and only pay for eight! • Essential stakeholder engagement for planners • Essential development controls for planners • Essential traffi c planning for planners • Essential infrastructure charging for planners, and more.

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 11 News

2016 HOW TO Seminar Series HOW TO navigate the EPBC Act referral and approval process Peter Gill MPIA

Th e Environment Protection and for determination. Th ere are several Biodiversity Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) potential outcomes: was the subject of the October 2016 PIA • Th e action is a “controlled action”, “How to…” seminar. Presenting were and therefore requires assessment and Kathryn Pacey and Wayne Moffi t, who approval under the EPBC; Kathryn Pacey addressed the topic through fi rstly a review of the statute and requirements of the Act, • Th e action is not a “controlled action”, While the details of each project, and secondly insights into the practical and requires no further assessment and the approach to assessment and application of the Act’s referral process under the EPBC; negotiation bespoke to each is too lengthy respectively. • Th e action is not a “controlled action” to reproduce here, in all cases Wayne Th e EPBC Act regulates a number provided it is undertaken in a certain identifi ed some common themes critical to of matters, but in particular regulates way (i.e. subject to conditions); or eff ective assessment and referral processes: the impact of actions on matters of • Th e action is clearly unacceptable. • Address the EPBC early, even in the national environmental signifi cance Th is aspect of self-regulation is critical case that referral is highly unlikely; (MNES), including matters such as world to the application and navigation of the heritage values, RAMSAR wetlands, • Engage early – pre-referral meetings Act. In many projects, referral may not be listed threatened species and ecological and ongoing contact are invaluable, required at all, or may be undertaken for communities and migratory species, the particularly where you are well purposes of legal surety with no further Commonwealth marine area and the prepared; and requirement likely for EPBC Assessment. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and On the other hand, projects may warrant • Focus the referral material clearly to coal seam gas development and mining assessment, in which case as Kathryn matters relevant to the EPBC. activities. pointed out, the provision of robust Th e ‘take home’ messages from both Kathryn Pacey is a Partner at Clayton and appropriate documentation to the presentations were in accord: Utz. Her particular focus is on major Minister for consideration is critical. projects approvals and environmental • It is relevant to consider the need Wayne Moffi t is the director and principal assessments and has managed project for EPBC referral on all projects, consultant at 28 South Environmental. approvals from application stage through even though it is more likely to have With nineteen years of experience as an to compliance for some of Queensland’s signifi cant implications for larger environmental manager and ecologist biggest infrastructure and resources projects such as greenfi eld land in Queensland, New South Wales and projects. Kathryn helps clients with their development, mining and coastal Victoria, Wayne has lead assessment obligations under environment laws, development; in a wide range of environments and from the day-to-day issues such as site development settings and has advised • If it is determined that a referral is environmental compliance, through to clients in both the public and private not required, ensure that appropriate the complex and high-profi le problems of sector on matters including; ecological documentation is prepared and incident management. assessment and management; threatened retained; Kathryn dissected the Act for us, defi ning species management; bushfi re hazard • Where referral is required, present a its role and application, and then assessment and management; ecological compelling suite of material, and in outlining from a legal perspective the key monitoring; sensitive area development; particular where impacts are identifi ed, matters of relevance through the referral and statutory compliance. recognise these and focus clearly on and assessment processes applicable. Wayne’s presentation illustrated the mitigation and management strategies; As Kathryn observed, the scheme of practical application and implications of • Th ere are complexities to the process, the Act when considering “actions” (i.e. the EPBC Act, and continued the theme however a prudent and well informed projects, developments undertakings etc) of requisite “self-awareness” when dealing early approach will serve to minimise which may be “Controlled” under the Act, with its provisions, providing specifi c later diffi culties. relies largely on self-regulation. Th e onus project examples ranging from relative lies with the proponent to determine the certainty the referral was not required Overall it was an excellent presentation likelihood of a project’s impact on MNES, (residential tower in Fortitude Valley), to from both our speakers, evidenced by the and where actions may be controlled a clear requirement for referral (Flagstone lively question time following. actions, refer the project to the Minister PDA, koala species impact). Th ank you to Kathryn and Wayne. 12 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 News

2016 HOW TO Seminar Series HOW TO implement best practice stormwater management Kate Matthews RPIA

Th e November HOW TO implement Waterways 2010). Th is forms a linkage best practice stormwater management with solving the problem of creating seminar was held at the Allens venue urban areas that function like a natural and appealed to attendees with a broad environment. Brad Dalrymple range of professional backgrounds. Th e Understand that ‘best practice targets’ seminar focused on the implementation aren’t really ‘best practice’: there are Implement appropriate asset of stormwater management solutions a number of regulatory drivers (e.g. management: at a minimum this should in Australia and how appropriate Sustainable Planning Act 2009, SEQ include regular removal of accumulated solutions are critical to the health of Regional Plan, State Planning Policy material, know where assets are, know a region’s waterways, community and and Environmental Protection (Water) what assets are and ensure suffi cient economy. Th e seminar provided an policy 2009) that require construction resources (e.g. staff , equipment/ engaging practitioner perspective from and operational phases of a project meet machinery, funding) to maintain and Brad Dalrymple who is the Principal particular targets, however to achieve the manage for both private and public Environmental Engineer and Team target you do not need to achieve leading owned assets. Leader of the Urban Water Team in BMT practice. Healthy Waterways (2010) WBM’s Brisbane Offi ce and the President confi rms that targets do not necessarily Recognise that often ‘the devil is in of Stormwater Queensland. achieve a no-worsening of pollutant the detail’: ensure the water sensitive urban design solutions are designed and Brad highlighted his top 10 loads compared to current or natural installed properly, as minor mistakes can recommendations for how to achieve best catchment conditions. have large negative consequences for the stormwater management which included: Aim for multiple objectives: achieve environment (e.g. erosion, scouring) and leading practice through an integrated Understand the problem: urban cost of the infrastructure (e.g. retrofi tting design process with specialist skills. Th is development changes the water balance infrastructure). signifi cantly by creating areas that are approach requires encouragement and support from the client Learn and improve: Review of existing impervious and removing vegetation processes, barriers and potential solutions that reduces infi ltration. Th e aim of Plan: Long term strategies for total to monitor and identify improvements as stormwater management is to achieve a water cycle management is critical to well as examining the success and failures natural water balance in an urban setting. plan out the infrastructure and funding of other projects to develop appropriate Th e health of our waterways is critically requirements for local government that solutions. important to Queensland’s economy in is best achieved through collaboration terms of the tourism/recreation, primary with technical specialists, asset managers Th e seminar highlighted the importance industries and recreational fi shing sectors. and the community. Brad highlighted of ensuring that stormwater management a Moreton Bay Regional Council case avoids focusing solely on operational Recognise that stormwater study that incorporated scenario testing water management as it is essential that management is important: the and modelling to identify potential the construction phase is also addressed community considers marine and management solutions for the region’s with appropriate design solutions that waterway health is of most concern catchments with a long term 30 year reduce contributions of sediment to the to them during surveys undertaken outlook for the region. receiving waters. Brad emphasised that by Healthy Waterways in 2010 and often the small frequent fl ow events are its importance is refl ected in the Collaborate: emphasise for the overlooked, however their environmental commitments and vision strategy importance of collaborating with impact can create signifi cant sediment documentation produced by many local multiple disciplines and stakeholders and pollutant loads on the receiving governments in Queensland. while developing urban water design solutions was highlighted, particularly waterways to the detriment of our Understand the solution(s): the being inclusive of knowledge from asset environment, community and economy solution is to achieve water sensitive managers and the community. Th e in Queensland. urban design, which mitigates the installation of educational signage that impacts of urbanisation on the natural describes the environmental improvement water cycle while creating a connection created by the water sensitive between communities, landscape and urban design can support increased the management of local water (Healthy understanding from the community. Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 13 News The Great Wall of South Bank Matthew Leman PIA (Assoc.)

Park(ing) Day: it’s not a new and sociable city - a vision which the used 600 milk crates, to produce an phenomenon, but with rising pressures Queensland Young Planners (QYP) udderly remarkable street-side oasis. Th e on public space, it is an important one. achieved through their park, titled “It’s a parklet did not lac(tose) recognition, with Park(ing) Day, which is now in its 11th planner’s game, build your own parklet”. QYP receiving both a Judges’ Highly year, provides people all over the world Th e intention of QYP’s parklet was to Commended award, and the People’s with the opportunity to reclaim a small invite public input regarding its design, Choice Award. slice of public space (namely on-street car which was altered throughout the day, parks) for public enjoyment. according to recommendations canvased Pictures of the parklets can be found By transforming car parks into public on social media and from passers-by. on Instagram by searching parklets, Brisbane Park(ing) Day 2016 Milking the opportunity to exhibit the #BNEParkingDay, or by aimed to inspire a more vibrant, creative merits of people-led placemaking, QYP following @QLDYoungPlanners.

The great crate wall QYP trophies

Suggestion board 14 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Letters

Dear Editor If developers could increase their 2015 was almost constant. Th at is, the prices, they would, regardless of the reduction in infrastructure charges was In the Spring 2016 issue (Vol 56 No3), level of infrastructure charges. A not associated with a reduction in the Steve Craven provided a useful report project feasibility study starts with the cost of vacant residential land. of the HOW TO seminar on the new estimated sale price of the residential Economist Cameron Murray at infrastructure framework. lots and then deducts the costs and theconversation.com says home buyers the profi t margin to determine the Steve reported that a cap on do not pay infrastructure charges. infrastructure charges will remain, and maximum price that can be paid for that the gap between infrastructure the broadhectare land. Th e higher the With government budgets restricted, costs and revenue from developer infrastructure charges, the lower the the development industry will need charges is likely to increase. Th is is price paid for the broadhectare land. to make a greater contribution to particularly concerning in light of the the cost of new infrastructure than Gold Coast City Council followed this it has done in the recent past. Both large population growth forecast for mistaken approach in 2012, when it SEQ. economic theory and development introduced the Construction Kickstart industry practice suggest that increasing Th is cap is based on a widely-held, policy. Th is off ered large discounts on infrastructure charges up to full cost but mistaken, belief that infrastructure infrastructure charges for development recovery levels will not have much charges increase the cost of housing. substantially commenced by March impact on housing prices if phased Th is belief was rebutted in the report 2013 and completed by March 2015. in over time. Th e phase-in will allow of the Henry tax review (Chapter However, the government’s own data developers to adjust the prices they pay E4-5). Under market conditions in (Residential land development activity for broadhectare land. larger local government areas with profi le) shows that the median price of Brian Feeney a growing population, the price of vacant residential land in Gold Coast land is whatever the market will bear. city between Oct 2012 and March Gold Coast

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Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 15 Plan Planning for Queensland’s environment, community and economy - a balancing act Department of Local Government Infrastructure and Planning

Queensland’s environment is sensitive to Queensland the population is expected to assets while enhancing the role they play in climate variations. We only have to look at swell to 7 million by 2036. A coordinated climate change adaptation and mitigation. our state’s history of extreme weather events approach to planning is needed to manage For example, mangroves can buff er the to see how the climate is changing. With this growth sensibly and ensure we protect community and infrastructure from the evidence suggesting we can expect more of and adapt to our environment. impacts of storm surge. Large areas of the same, the role of planning has become bushland can host climate adaptation ShapingSEQ - based on the fi ve key themes more important than ever. Balancing the zones for plants and animals; while urban of grow, prosper, connect, sustain and live need to create a sustainable and resilient green infrastructure reduces the urban heat - takes a strategic, coordinated approach community with the needs of agriculture island eff ect. Th e impact of these strategies to dealing with the issue of climate and urban land use are paramount. is far reaching. More resilient natural change. From its 50 year vision to specifi c environments and communities are created Recently, the Queensland Government strategies, ShapingSEQ aims to address the alongside long-term economic, recreational released for public consultation issue of climate change throughout the and health benefi ts. ShapingSEQ – the draft South East document. Queensland Regional Plan 2016. Th e draft ShapingSEQ also seeks to prioritise public Th rough eff ective and timely planning, we plan has a strong focus on protecting our transport and active travel for a range of can limit the adverse impacts and better natural environment and growing in a reasons, including reducing greenhouse manage our climate risks. ShapingSEQ sustainable way with its 50 year vision gas emissions. Th is aligns with the state’s understands that Queenslanders are seeking to ‘nurture the natural systems that transition to a low carbon future. Another naturally drawn to live in areas where sustain us’. Th e principles sitting behind fi rst for the draft plan is that local strategies the environment is most enticing. Our the plan recognise that without a healthy integrate subtropical urban design and beautiful coastlines and hinterland provide environment, we will not have a liveable encourage the use of renewable energy for a unique Queensland lifestyle, but with community. And a sustainable community across the fi ve themes. this comes potential risk. Th e draft plan allows our economy to thrive. supports a regional settlement pattern to Th e draft plan boasts regional specifi c For the fi rst time, the draft SEQ regional minimise the community’s exposure to policies, illustrated through a series of plan recognises that climate change is a natural hazards and the impact of climate maps, which are based on the latest science, global issue and acknowledging this means change, such as sea level rise. socioeconomic and natural resource dealing with its potential consequences assessments. Th ese maps guide planning Regional biodiversity corridors are also for SEQ. Over the next 25 years the that balances agriculture, environmental identifi ed and protected to enhance region’s population is expected to grow to and urban uses. ecological functions and resilience. Th e approximately 5.3 million people with the settlement pattern guides sustainable Importantly, the draft regional plan does need for more than 780,00 jobs. Across development to reduce impacts on natural not operate in a vacuum. ShapingSEQ recognises if its policies are to be brought to life they need to align with other key government and community initiatives, such as Resilient Rivers, SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan and the Brisbane River Catchment Floodplain Management Strategy. Regional plans, such as ShapingSEQ, take their direction from the State Planning Policy (SPP). Th e SPP outlines the principles and polices needed to deliver at a local and regional level, and guide development that will advance the social, economic and environmental needs of all Queenslanders. Th e North Queensland regional plan will also take its lead from the SPP. Preliminary work has commenced on developing North Queensland’s fi rst draft Hiking around the Scenic Rim (TEQ) 16 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan regional plan. Initial discussions with local governments in the region have identifi ed an opportunity to collectively plan for and capitalise on the growth of the renewable energy sector, particularly emerging solar farms and bio-fuel industries. Th e draft plan will recognise the infl uence of climate changes and its potential impact on agriculture and water supply. Currently, the SPP, alongside the draft Planning Regulation and the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP), is under review as part of the reforms being delivered in conjunction Lockyer Valley lettuce farm (Khemistry) with the Planning Act 2016. Th e state’s planning instruments ensure climate change is recognised as a key factor in the planning system. Th ese documents are expected to be released for public consultation in late 2016. Although the proposed changes to the SPP are not extensive, the revised policy provides a stronger mandate to address climate change factors. Th ese include taking into account a projected sea level rise of 0.8 metres by 2100, addressing climate change impacts through eff ective design and location of buildings, the integration of transport and land use planning and the delivery of quality urban design. Lockyer Valley wheat growing (Khemistry) Th e draft SPP recognises climate change as Improving community resilience by processes by avoiding the fragmentation of an important consideration for planning at mitigating and adapting to the impacts environmental values. all levels. Land use planning has a variety of climate change is a vital component of Water quality is also vital for our state. of roles in climate change, including the draft SPP. Climate change policy will Th e draft SPP recognises that Queensland establishing sustainable settlement patterns, be integrated in all relevant state interests waters should be protected by avoiding promoting quality design, ensuring and a specifi c reference to climate change and minimising adverse impacts from integrated infrastructure provision, is to be included in the guiding principles. development on water quality. Water appropriately managing the risks associated For example, the draft SPP aims to ensure quality requirements are expected to with natural disasters, providing for greater the coastal environment is protected align with best practice and support local energy effi ciency and adapting to changing and enhanced while also supporting governments to adopt fl exible and localised conditions. opportunities for coastal development solutions for stormwater management that protect environmental values. Coastal planning is a key element in the and maintaining public access to coastal planning reform process. Th e Government land. Th e relevant code for coastal Next year will herald a new planning era has committed to delivering on its election planning (now known as State code 8: for Queensland. We will enjoy a planning commitment to save the Great Barrier Coastal development and tidal works) will framework which supports Queensland’s Reef. Th e goal is to reinstate world class also undergo a comprehensive review. people, economy and environment to coastal planning laws to ensure the Great Th e draft SPP state interest for natural continue to thrive in the context of a changing climate. Th e new system will focus Barrier Reef is not adversely aff ected by hazards, risk and resilience requires local on adapting and mitigating climate change development along our coastline. However, governments to identify and appropriately impacts and strengthening community coastal planning laws are not limited to consider the risks of natural hazards in resilience. Climate considerations will the Great Barrier Reef catchment. Th e areas where development is intended. be integrated into planning and decision Government understands a state-wide Similarly, the state interest for biodiversity making processes by all users from state approach is needed to ensure Queensland’s emphasises avoiding, minimising to regional level and local government. coastal environment is protected and mitigating impacts on matters of Ultimately, the new Planning Act 2016 and managed sustainably. Achieving environmental signifi cance. Th is includes promotes sustainable development and this election commitment requires revised policies for matters of national, provides the basis for minimising and a coordinated approach to planning state and local environmental signifi cance, responding eff ectively to the impacts instruments. and a requirement to maintain ecological of climate change. Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 17 Plan The sustainability of the new SEQ Regional Plan Roger Brewster MPIA

Now that the draft SEQ Regional Plan has been I will not dwell on oil supply forecasts, since released we have the opportunity to assess its the Saudi oil reserve fi gures are state secrets, goals in relation to sustainability. I do so having so any forecast is speculative. However, the researched the implications of oil depletion key message is that serious oil depletion is on the future of sustainable urban residential an almost certain prospect within the 25 development in Australia. My research focused year horizon of the SEQ Regional Plan. Th e on the impacts on built environment and imperative to replace oil with alternative how we might adapt to oil depletion in the transport ‘fuels’ (including electrics) and Dr Roger Brewster MPIA construction of residential development and support from renewable energy sources is possible eff ects on the sustainability of urban being suppressed by current low oil prices compact and connected sustainable urban form. Th is resource aspect of sustainability at the pump, despite production cuts by form as advocated in the Connect goal below. is considered to be important, because cities OPEC countries announced in late 2016. Th e in Australia and other developed countries necessary lead time to act is forever shortening, • Townhouses – 47% and Houses – 25% depend so heavily on the oil economy (e.g. despite the warnings by many serious analysts • Small apartments (suitable for 1-2 Droege 2006). Vulnerability caused by future including such notables as Peter Newman, people) – 8% oil depletion could fracture the socio-economic Jago Dodson and Neil Sipe. • Large apartments (suitable for more than framework and drastically aff ect the quality Since the Planning Institute of Australia two people) – 21% of life; particularly at the vulnerable suburban fi rst devoted a journal issue in December scale (Newman et al. 2009). Th is research has My fi ndings on mobility support the Connect 2006 to articles on energy planning (Wright recently led to the award of a PhD through goal for SEQ to be a region of more complete 2006) and peak oil (Taygfeld 2006), some Bond University. Th e fi ndings are relevant to and inter-connected communities. However, forward thinking local governments in SEQ— the goals of the SEQ Regional Plan when by while the communities are ‘supported by a Moreton Bay (2009) and Sunshine Coast 2041 the region is expected to be home to multimodal and integrated regional transport (2010) Regional Councils, and Redland City nearly two million extra people (Shaping SEQ system that prioritises public and active Council (2010)—have published strategies 2016:30). transport for commuter trips (Shaping SEQ making specifi c references to peak oil and oil 2016:56), my research suggests that an It is fi rst necessary to set the scene regarding oil vulnerability, mainly in the climate change and emphasis on mobility to support a compact, depletion. While the weak global economy has liveability context. effi cient and sustainable future must go further continued to depress oil prices since an initial A key fi nding of my research reinforces the than current transit oriented development recovery after the great recession of 2008- need for more compact cities and limitation (TOD) concepts. Each urban structural unit 2009, planners must not be complacent about of outer suburban development, which is (which could be a precinct or suburb) should the future of oil supply. Th e International contrary to the mixed message contained be developed or transformed into a 1km/15 Energy Agency (IEA) in its 2010 World in the Grow goal aiming for SEQ to ‘have a minute radius walkable neighbourhood model Energy Outlook summary report (IEA 2010: consolidated urban structure of well-planned promoting what I have termed public-active 6) acknowledged that global conventional and more complete communities. Th ere is mobility oriented development (P-AMOD). crude oil output had peaked back in 2006 at suffi cient land to accommodate the projected 70 million barrels per day (mb/d), but noted Such a model would incorporate principles of population and employment growth in unconventional sources were growing strongly urban metabolism and embodied/operational an aff ordable and sustainable way’ (italics to maintain a steady total oil output of 86 energy reduction into planning for an effi cient added) (Shaping SEQ 2016:32). Reliance mb/d. However, the IEA 2015 World Energy land use pattern, as partially advocated in on the urban footprint principles needs to be Outlook commentary on oil production the Live goal to deliver energy effi cient living reviewed in the light of future oil constraints, prospects suggests that: (Shaping SEQ 2016:76). However, an oil- which are ignored in the regional plan constrained future advocates higher densities After 2020, even though oil prices reach (Shaping SEQ 2016:84). throughout all P-AMOD precincts. levels that allow upstream investment to pick up again, the collective output of non- Th e Shaping SEQ second poll on the Grow Th e Sustain goal must be cognisant of the OPEC countries does not resume growth, theme asked what kind of housing do you future reality of oil depletion as well as particularly once production from the United think SEQ needs more of? Th e results climate change. Unfortunately the current States – so important in the market over (reproduced below) point towards a more political climate and the very low oil the decade to 2020 – reaches a plateau and compact urban form, however, new houses price manipulation as at late-2016 are not then enters a gradual decline. As it does so, would normally be built in a greenfi eld conducive to such strong leadership, which the United States yields, in the mid-2020s, setting; and suburban townhouses—the would hasten the transition for example the top spot in the global output ranking preferred dominant new form—could also towards alternative fuels for, and electrifi cation to Saudi Arabia … By 2040, conventional be encouraged as infi ll development. Th e of, the private vehicle fl eet. Th e latter has crude oil accounts for only 66% of total 29 per cent preference for apartments, implications for urban form at the precinct production, compared with 87% in 2000 including small house size alternatives, is more scale for car recharging stations and on-street (IEA 2015: 132-133; 132-145). supportive of my fi ndings for a much more parking facilities. It will be fascinating to 18 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan see how the forecast take up of autonomous security requires complex reorganisation for future. A transformation of suburbs into vehicles will have eff ects on urban form movement of people, goods and resources. 1km/15 min. radius walkable neighbourhoods relating to car parking. Th e timely guidance of governments in a model beyond TOD, promoting public- My research concluded that transport aspects beyond phase (a) and (b) strategies will active mobility oriented development at of oil dependency strongly suggest short determine the trajectory of suburbs towards precinct scale would be a key element towards to medium term resilience of the existing a sustainable or dysfunctional future. Local more sustainable communities. Inner urban suburban form is strongly related to alternative groups may coordinate community urban communities will be the battleground for transformation to truly compact cities ‘fuels’ or electric power supply for private car farms, or protect private gated enclaves with a necessary limitation on new transport. Th is is relevant to non-commuting respectively in such futures. Development outer suburban development. trips, which could become problematic in and market forces favour the wealthy in References: conventional powered cars and literally drive housing choice and relocation closer to Brewster, RJ 2013, ‘Pathways to an oil-constrained future: analogies with people towards inner city living. A conceptual work, public transport system and inner city climate change mitigation and adaptation’, in CA Brebbia (ed.), Sustain- model was synthesised from the literature facilities. Changes to alternative leasehold able Development and Planning VI, WIT Press, Southampton, pp. 253-265. review and analysis of sustainable cities to land tenure could alleviate the impact of illustrate the possible transformation of Brewster, RJ 2014, ‘Pathways to an oil-constrained city’ in N. Marchettini, rising residential land values to make inner CA Brebbia, R. Pulselli and S. Bastianoni (eds.), The Sustainable existing suburbs to the oil constrained future. city housing more aff ordable. City IX: Urban Regeneration and Sustainability, WIT Press, Figure 1 shows two extreme hypothetical Southampton, pp. 351-363. adaptive and maladaptive transition scenarios Conclusions Droege, P 2006, The renewable city: a comprehensive guide to an urban revolution, Wiley-Academy, Chichester. in three phases after the peak oil plateau: A transformative and regenerative approach International Energy Agency (IEA) 2010, World energy outlook 1. Adaptive transition by proactive infi ll to planning urban form is imperative if the 2010, International Energy Agency and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris. densifi cation, improved public transport SEQ urban communities are to become International Energy Agency (IEA) 2015, World energy outlook and alternative fuel cars, low emission sustainable in an oil-constrained future. While 2010, International Energy Agency and Organisation for Economic and renewable energy sources the proposed SEQ goals promote short to Cooperation and Development, Paris. medium term resilience of the predominant Newman, P, Beatley, T & Boyer, H 2009, Resilient cities: responding to 2. Maladaptive transition to dysfunctional existing suburban form, in the longer 30 - 50 peak oil and climate change, Island Press, Washington, DC. urban forms by poor community Sunshine Coast Regional Council 2010, Sunshine Coast climate change year term the full implications of the society’s awareness, inadequate policy direction, and peak oil strategy, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Caloundra, Queens- reliance on the oil economy will become land, http://www.sunshinecoast. qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=cc-strategy reactive and delayed action. evident. Th e timely guidance of governments Taygfeld, P 2006, ‘Exploring the stance of state and local government My research suggests three phases after the to think about implementing oil adaptation departments in South East Queensland (SEQ) towards peak oil’, Aus- tralian Planner, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 14-21. global peak oil plateau: strategies will determine the trajectory of Wright, K 2006, ‘The relationship between residential density and non- Th e initial mitigation phase of oil depletion suburbs towards a sustainable or dysfunctional transport energy use’, Australian Planner, vol. 43, no. 4, p. 12. (after the conventional oil peak plateau) could see signifi cant price increases for private Figure 1 car fuels. Th is will lead to prioritisation of petroleum usage to extend the time horizon for the benefi ts of the resource and provide oil-based essential materials and petrochemicals relied upon for building components and infrastructure construction, goods manufacturing, public transport system, communications technology, health products and systems, etc. Th is implies not waiting for the post-peak oil plateau period to be wasted, but taking adaptive action at government level in the short term with fully educated community support. Th e later adaptation phase when oil depletion gradually becomes a signifi cant transport constraint on suburban living as fracking of tight-oil declines (IEA 2015), the full implications of the society’s reliance on the oil economy becomes evident. Community action will be complemented by government action to fully develop the public transport system. Th e transition town movement will become much more active in the community to provide guidance and a rallying point for energy descent strategies. Th e oil-constrained phase sometime after 2025 with uncertain food and energy Conceptual synthesis model of adaptive and maladaptive transition scenarios towards an oil-constrained future Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 19 Plan Chain of responsibility laws Olivia Williamson

Th e chain of responsibility laws took out of a relevant activity by the eff ect earlier this year when the State company; or Government passed the Environmental • Is, or has been at any time during Protection (Chain of Responsibility) the previous 2 years, in a position to Amendment Act 2016. infl uence the company’s conduct in Th e objectives of this Act was to amend relation to the way in which, or the the Environmental Protection Act 1994 extent to which, the company complies Olivia Williamson (EP Act) to: with its obligations under the EP Act. pursue any entity fi nancially equipped to • facilitate enhanced environmental A person may “infl uence a company’s rehabilitate or rectify any environmental protection for sites operated by conduct” by giving a direction or damage notwithstanding that the entity companies in fi nancial diffi culty; and approval by making funding available, may not have been extensively involved in • avoid the State bearing the costs for or in another way (EP Act, s.363AB(3) the ERA. managing and rehabilitating sites in (b). Th at was a relevant factor in the Another feature of the chain of fi nancial diffi culty. decision by the DEHP to issue Mr Peter Bond with an EPO in May this year. responsibility laws is a requirement Th e laws followed concerns about sites Mr Bond was the former Chairman that the Land Court can only stay a operated by companies in fi nancial and Managing Director of Linc Energy decision by the DEHP to require a diffi culty continuing to comply with their Limited (Linc). Linc was the holder of fi nancial assurance if the holder of the environmental obligations, especially in various environmental authorities for environmental authority (EA) provides at light of the looming downturn in the the Chinchilla CSG Gasifi cation Plant. least 75% of the amount of the fi nancial mining sector. Th e company was placed into voluntary assurance sought (EP Act, s.522A). One of the most signifi cant components administration and subsequently resolved A fi nancial assurance is a fi nancial of these new laws is the expanded to be wound up. Pursuant to the chain security provided to the Queensland powers aff orded to the Department of of responsibility laws, Mr Bond was Government by the holder of an EA. Environment and Heritage Protection personally issued with an EPO which Essentially it provides the government (DEHP) in respect of environmental required Mr Bond to take action to with a fi nancial security to cover any costs protection orders (EPOs). rehabilitate land at the Chinchilla or expenses incurred in taking action to GSC Gasifi cation Plant and also prevent or minimise environmental harm Now, in some circumstances, EPOs can provide a bank guarantee in the sum of or to restore the environment, should the be issued to persons who are considered $5,500,000. holder fail to meet their environmental to be “related” to a company carrying obligations. A fi nancial assurance may out an environmentally relevant activity Mr Bond applied for an internal review be required as a condition of an EA or (ERA), instead of issuing the EPO to the of the decision to issue the EPO and then a transitional environmental program company who actually conducts the ERA. commenced an appeal to the Planning before the relevant activity is carried Th is is a critical element of the State and Environment Court. One of the out. Th ere however also circumstances Government’s plan to establish a “chain grounds of appeal is that Mr Bond was throughout the life of the EA when the of responsibility” to ensure operators not a “related person” to whom the EPO amount of the fi nancial assurance can be of sites continue to comply with their could lawfully be issued. reviewed and amended. environmental obligations. Th ere was a preliminary hearing in Th e obvious concern with this approach Related persons include holding August 2016 (Bond v Chief Executive under the chain of responsibility laws is companies of the company conducting of Environment and Heritage Protection that the holder of an EA will be required the ERA, some landowners on which [2016] QPEC 40), however the full to provide security for a considerable the ERA is being carried out and, appeal against the decision to issue amount of the disputed fi nancial signifi cantly, persons considered to have a the EPO to Mr Bond is still yet to be assurance in circumstances where it has “relevant connection” to the company. heard. While we await judicial guidance not yet been independently determined Th e “relevant connection” test is broadly on a number of these new provisions, by the Court that the quantum of the drafted and can capture a person that: including particularly the extent to which fi nancial assurance imposed by DEHP a person will be considered to have a was appropriate. Notwithstanding this • Is capable of signifi cantly benefi tting “relevant connection” to a company, there concern, the requirement was passed and fi nancially, or has signifi cantly are lingering concerns that the provisions is now refl ected in sections 522A and benefi ted fi nancially, from the carrying simply allow DEHP the ability to 535B of the EP Act. 20 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan

Th e Land Appeal Court in the Alphadale stay application is made pending an language which assist in deciphering legal decision (Alphadale Pty Ltd v Chief internal review decision), sections 522 meaning and betray little understanding Executive Department of Environment and 522A will apply and the fi nancial of the precise legal concepts in the subject and Heritage Protection [2016] QLAC assurance decision can only be stayed if provisions of the Act.” 6 has now provided guidance on when the 75% payment is provided. In conclusion, proponents of ERAs the Land Court can stay a fi nancial It is also important to note that this need to think very carefully about the assurance decision without the EA holder argument is unique to appeals to the extent of the risk to their companies, providing the 75% payment. In that case, Land Court. In the context of an appeal associated entitles and persons related the appellant was successful in arguing to the Planning and Environment Court to the company conducting an ERA. As that the requirement to pay 75% did (the forum for appeals in respect of with many new laws there are concerns not apply in the circumstances of that fi nancial assurance decisions relating to about the potential for unintended case because section 522 of the EP Act non-resource activity EAs) the provisions consequences. Judicial determinations only applies pending internal review and are drafted with more precision and the will provide guidance and clarity on the before an appeal is lodged to the Land Planning and Environment Court will provisions, yet against the background of Court. not be able to grant a stay of a fi nancial the so-called “urgent” and “confronting In this case, because the stay application assurance until the 75% payment is diffi culties” sought to be addressed by was made to the Land Court after an provided. the chain of responsibility laws, judicial appeal had been fi led, it was held that decisions may simply compel re-drafting We anticipate that the State Government section 522 and section 522A of the EP of the legislative amendments to secure is considering amendments to the EP Act did not apply and instead the Land the intended outcomes. Th ere is also Act to address the outcome which Court’s power to grant a stay pending the real potential for other States and eventuated in the Alphadale decision. the determination of the appeal was Territories to follow Queensland’s lead Th e explanatory notes relevant to pursuant to section 7A of the Land Court and amend their respective environmental section 552A strongly imply that the Act. Section 7A puts the Land Court in laws to establish a chain of responsibility. person drafting this amendment to be the same position as a court of unlimited We continue to watch with interest. introduced by the chain of responsibility jurisdiction which has the power to stay a laws thought that a stay could be granted Olivia Williamson is a Senior Associate decision to secure the eff ectiveness of an pursuant to section 522 which would at HopgoodGanim Lawyers. Olivia appeal, absent a requirement to provide a last until an appeal was decided. Th e gratefully acknowledges the work of Th omas 75% security. Land Appeal Court acknowledged this, Buckley and Elizabeth Harvey, from It is important to note that if the stay however they ultimately found the HopgoodGanim Lawyers, in earlier application is made to the Land Court explanatory notes (paragraphs 25-28) alerts published relating to chain of before any appeal is fi led (such as if the of little assistance for “they do not use responsibility laws.

Toowoomba Regional Council’s vision for our region is for a vibrant, Our region is recognised as one of Australia’s most diverse and inclusive, environmentally rich and prosperous region that embraces stable economies, with robust commercial and industrial enterprises. the future while respecting the past. A recent infrastructure injection including a new jet-capable airport, Our goals are for well-managed, integrated and connected regional the commencement of construction of the Toowoomba Second growth, respecting community and heritage values and for a highly Range Crossing (Australia’s largest inland road project); and our valued, diverse, liveable and sustainable environment. place on the proposed Melbourne to Brisbane inland rail corridor JSΑfSPeX[de`_^_eb9NbRS^5XdiX]NVSN^R_ůSb_ebbScXRS^dcdWS will open remarkable opportunity for the region to become a leading best of both city and country lifestyles, underpinned by economic intermodal transport hub for Eastern Australia. opportunities and security. Our future is indeed bright and there has never been a better time to live, visit and invest in the Toowoomba Region!

G_ű^R_ed]_bSRSdNX[cQN[[131 872 or visit www.tr.qld.gov.au

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 21 Plan Natural hazard mitigation planning in the United States Nathan Slaughter

Th e best time to plan for how to reduce earthquakes, landslides, high winds damage and loss of life from future from thunderstorms, hurricanes and disasters is when skies are blue. Seems tornadoes and other natural occurrences like common sense, right? Planning today that threaten life and property. FEMA helps reduce the detrimental impacts has developed guidance documents and of future hazard events. But across the offi cial regulations that must be met by world, it seems that most tend to react each plan (h ps://www.fema.gov/hazard- to disasters once they’ve occurred, rather mi ga on-planning-resources). Each Nathan Slaughter than proactively plan, before the event plan must be reviewed and approved by occurs, to reduce the impacts of these FEMA and then offi cially adopted by its jurisdiction. Information collected events. governing body. usually includes historical data on natural hazard events that have occurred in and In the year 2000, the United States Th e planning process involves completion around the participating communities government passed a law (the Disaster of the following steps. and how these events impacted on Mitigation Act of 2000) that requires Process of development people and property. Based upon state and local government entities to historical occurrences and best available develop hazard mitigation plans as a Generally, plans are developed with the data from agencies such as the National prerequisite for receiving federal funding input of a planning team. Th ese teams Weather Service, the planning team for implementing hazard mitigation are made up of offi cials representing works to identify and describe all natural projects. Most states, counties, cities the government developing the plan hazards that threaten the participating and towns want to remain eligible for and other stakeholders from a variety of jurisdiction Detailed hazard profi les that funding, so they develop hazard disciplines. Each participating jurisdiction include information on the frequency, mitigation plans that must be approved may determine the composition of their magnitude, location and impact for each by the Federal Emergency Management own planning team. hazard in addition to estimating the Agency (FEMA). Th e Disaster Mitigation Public participation is critical to the probabilities for future hazard events. Act came about primarily as a result planning process, and required by Maps are often developed to delineate of seeing a continuing cycle of unwise FEMA. Usually, the planning team will identifi ed hazard areas and previous development in hazardous areas, provide an opportunity for the public hazard occurrences. Th e main point properties in these hazardous areas being to provide input about the plan through of this exercise is to determine which damaged by natural hazard events and a variety of methods. Some choose to hazards need the most attention, through then the same properties being rebuilt in hold public meetings during the process mitigation, for reducing the impacts of the same areas with little or no thought and some will develop public surveys future occurrences. given to how to reduce future damages. to capture public input. Th e purpose Risk assessment Th e Disaster Mitigation Act was also of getting the public involved is to partly inspired by the fact that fl ood solicit input, participation and feedback Th e next step in the process involves insurance in the United States is only from any interested residents and the collection and integration of data, available through the federal government businesses that can help further defi ne including an inventory of assets that may and the costs associated with paying the the hazards or actions to be taken for be aff ected by natural hazards, such as claims of structures located in fl ood zones reducing the impact of those hazards. people, housing units, critical facilities, was becoming too much of a fi nancial Th e participating jurisdictions seek to special facilities, infrastructure and burden for the country. Th e hope was ensure that the general public and other lifelines, hazardous materials facilities and that if the incentive was given to develop potential stakeholders remain aware of commercial facilities. Th is information hazard mitigation plans, future damages the planning process and are given the is generally collected from national could be avoided. opportunity to participate as appropriate. and state databases and local data is Th is includes making the components of integrated, where possible. The Hazard Mitigation Plan the draft plan available for public review and comment. Once this data is compiled, the planning Th e hazard mitigation plan outlines teams assess potential impacts from specifi c actions for the government Hazard identifi cation and analysis each hazard using FEMA’s Hazards U.S. entity to undertake to reduce the impact During this step, the planning team will (HAZUS) multi-hazard loss estimation of the natural hazards they are facing. work together to identify and compile model (h ps://www.fema.gov/hazus) Primarily, the hazards considered in relevant data on all potential natural and other risk modeling techniques and the US include fl ooding, wildfi res, hazards which threaten the participating GIS analyses. he resulting information 22 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan provides local jurisdictions with detailed actions (i.e. open space preservation), such funding is usually provided to information that outlines the full range property protection techniques, natural emergency managers which sometimes of hazards they face and potential social resource protection strategies, structural leads to complications in organising, impacts, damages and economic losses. projects, emergency services and public implementing and delivering such Another key component of the risk information and awareness activities. complex planning activities. assessment is assessing the potential Planning teams will sometimes seek future impact of natural hazards to identify potential multi-objective Conclusions based upon the current and projected projects such as combining fl oodplain Th e Disaster Mitigation Act has been development trends for each participating management with parks and recreation in place for over 15 years. As of June jurisdiction. opportunities. 30 2016, all 50 states, the District of Capability assessment As part of this step, the planning team Columbia, and fi ve US territories have also prepares a method and schedule FEMA-approved state mitigation plans. A Many times, the planning team will also total of 22,765 local governments have conduct a capability assessment for each for evaluating and updating the hazard mitigation plan. current (FEMA-approved or approvable- participating jurisdiction that examines pending-adoption) local mitigation plans and evaluates the programmatic, Plan review, adoption and approval and an additional 145 tribal governments technical, administrative and fi scal In accordance with Federal requirements, have current tribal mitigation plans. Over capabilities to mitigate the eff ects of the governing bodies of each participating 82 per cent of the nation’s population natural hazards. Th is includes the jurisdiction must review and approve lives in communities with current identifi cation and analysis of relevant that portion of the overall plan that mitigation plans. Th is represents solid plans, policies, and programs already in aff ects their jurisdiction. Following the participation across the country and a place at the local level such as land use plan adoption process, the plan will be good step towards reducing vulnerability plans, fl ood control programs, natural submitted for formal approval by FEMA. to hazards in the United States. Other resource studies, zoning ordinances, countries such as Canada and England building codes, subdivision regulations, Plans are then approved for a period of fi ve years and require updating thereafter. are considering similar approaches for and capital improvements. combating future hazard occurrences Th e purpose of the capability Benefits of Hazard Mitigation which are taking place more frequently assessment is to detect any existing gaps, Planning and with more intensity as a result of shortfalls or confl icts within existing climate change. Th ere are many benefi ts of hazard or on-going government activities that mitigation planning. Simply going Nathan Slaughter is a certifi ed professional could exacerbate community hazard through the planning process can help planner with the American Planning vulnerability. Th e assessment also communities better protect vulnerable Association and certifi ed fl oodplain highlights the positive measures already properties and save lives. When taken management specialist with MWH, in place or being done that should seriously, hazard mitigation planning can now part of Stantec from Raleigh, North continue to be supported and enhanced help communities develop meaningful Carolina. if possible through future mitigation risk reduction activities such as eff orts. Th e results of the risk assessment implementing new plans, policies or and capability assessment provide a procedures that are aimed at reducing general foundation for determining the vulnerability. Th e planning process specifi c type of mitigation strategy each can also help build relationships within participating community develops and state and local governments by fostering ultimately adopts. relationships that normally may not Mitigation strategy development occur. Th e planning team next works to draft Room for improvement an overall mitigation strategy for the participating jurisdiction. Th e planning Th ere are also challenges. Many teams usually begin this process by jurisdictions, especially those with limited identifying the general goals and target vulnerability and/or capacity may not objectives for the hazard mitigation take hazard mitigation planning seriously. plan. Th e goals and any objectives are Th ose that do plan, often do it poorly, usually developed as a result of reviewing not involving appropriate stakeholders the fi ndings of the risk and capability to participate in the process, not assessments. Based upon these goals and conducting a thorough risk assessment objectives, the project team will identify, and/or not making the appropriate review and analyse a comprehensive range connections between the risk assessment of appropriate mitigation measures for and the mitigations strategy therefore, the participating jurisdiction to consider discouraging any meaningful change. In in reducing the eff ects of natural hazards. addition, while funding for planning is Such measures include preventative provided to state and local governments, Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 23 Plan Tree envy - in a changing climate, urban greening can save lives and money Tony Matthews and Jason Byrne MPIA

Managing climate change is a major of cities are hotter than the surrounding reduce daytime temperatures by as much challenge for Queensland’s cities. Built countryside. Heat-island eff ects are now as 2.3°C. More greenery off ers other environments are increasingly subject widely recognised by planners (Feyisa et advantages including increasing residents’ to intensifying climate change impacts al., 2014). Th ere is a growing body of physical activities and improving social including fl ooding, bushfi res, cyclones research that focuses on the consequences interactions (Byrne et al., 2015). In and heatwaves (Matthews et al., 2015). of urban heat islands in urban cores short, greener neighbourhoods are cooler, Perhaps surprisingly, extreme heat is the (Kleerekoper et al., 2012). Comparatively healthier and happier. most dangerous climate change impact little research exists to examine and Current research shows that people who facing all Australians (Coates et al., mitigate heat eff ects in the suburbs. Given live in greener, leafi er suburbs tend to be 2014). Heat stress now accounts for more the limited research and the fact that wealthier. Unfortunately, poorer suburbs deaths than cyclones, fl oods, bushfi res most Queenslanders are suburbanites, are often dense with much lower levels of and storms combined. our green infrastructure team and Griffi th greenery. Residents consequently suff er University has strategically focused on the Extreme heat events connected to more heat stress. Th e concentration of suburban scale. climate change directly challenge to poorer people in hotter places is called how we plan and design settlements. Our goals include: understanding the ‘thermal inequity’ (Byrne et al., 2016). Heat-related impacts are exacerbated by consequences of heat stress for suburbs; poor design. Impacts are increasingly identifying the potential for green Thermal inequity in Gold Coast City manifesting in suburbs, especially in infrastructure to mitigate extreme heat Our green infrastructure team at Griffi th newer developments on the urban fringe. eff ects; discerning residents’ understanding University recently partnered with the Drivers include urban densifi cation of green infrastructure; using remote City of Gold Coast Council to assess the policies, contemporary trends for bigger sensing to measure the capacity of potential of urban greening to combat houses and apartment living. All lead greening to lower heat; working with heat stress. Our work focused on the to less space for gardens and trees (Hall, planners to increase green infrastructure suburb of Upper Coomera, located in 2010). One way to lessen temperature uptake and; working with the the Gold Coast’s northern development increases is through urban greening, yet development industry to design greener corridor. Gold Coast city has grown many new housing developments are suburbs that are cooler yet still aff ordable. rapidly in recent years and continues delivered with little greenery. Plentiful street trees, well-designed parks to do so. Th e population is expected to and other types of suburban greenspace double to over 1 million in the next two Quantifying the value of decades. Growth management policies suburban greening help to reduce ambient air temperatures. Advantages accrue in many suburbs with are increasing densities in many suburbs. Th e term ‘urban heat island eff ect’ the addition of increased greenery. For Land clearing on the suburban fringe describes situations where the urban cores example, a 5% increase in tree cover can for development typically removes much of the native vegetation, which in turn increases heat. Th e Gold Coast, like many cities, is now seeing a trend where comparatively disadvantaged people seek more aff ordable housing in outer suburbs like Upper Coomera. Less affl uent residents are increasingly concentrated in suburbs where housing is packed tightly into smaller lots, leaving less room for trees and greenery. Th is leads to hotter houses and neighbourhoods and residents paying higher electricity prices to keep cool. A recent research article from our project demonstrates that thermal inequity is a real concern in Upper Coomera (Byrne et al., 2016). We employed a mail-back survey of 1,921 households to determine: Gold Coast Northern Development Corridor (Darryl Jones ozaerial.com) residents’ perceptions of climate change; 24 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan

like Upper Coomera means that it is more diffi cult to green them, especially through tree planting. Th ere is often less land available for greening as yards are smaller and verges are typically dominated by on-street parking. We recommend education campaigns about the benefi ts of urban greenery and better urban design guidelines to provide more space for trees and vegetation. Longitudinal studies of suburban microclimates could help developers to proactively ‘design-in’ urban greenery in future, while allowing councils to retrofi t existing suburbs. Careful species selection would reduce maintenance issues. Heat stress is a major cause of mortality in Australia, but it can be reduced through good planning and suburban design. Climate change means planners need to make use of green infrastructure a Upper Coomera mosaic (Jason Byrne) mainstream practice. Developing evidence- household energy costs; how people cool increased urban greening to combat based knowledge about the best forms of their houses and; residents’ attitudes heat. Almost two thirds of respondents greenery to reduce heat stress in Queensland towards using green infrastructure to favoured tree planting; more than half suburbs will generate long-term economic reduce heat stress. felt there was insuffi cient shade on local and social returns. It will also assist planners streets. While 90% of surveyed residents in embracing green infrastructure to combat Our fi ndings were stark, pointing to high saw shade as a key benefi t of trees, only thermal inequity, now and into the future. levels of thermal inequity and household just over half understood that trees could vulnerability to heat stress. We found Dr Tony Matthews is a lecturer and Jason lower air temperatures. While most more than 90% of residents were aware Byrne is an associate professor at residents recognised tree maintenance the School of Environment, Griffi th of climate change and almost 70% were costs as a disadvantage, they still favoured University . concerned about it. Residents living in more greening. Interestingly, we found townhouses were particularly worried. many planners shared that perspective in References Paradoxically those living in dwellings prior research we conducted (Matthews Byrne J, Ambrey C, Portanger C, Lo A, Matthews T, Baker D with dark roofs were less worried, as were and Davison A. (2016) Could urban greening mitigate subur- and Byrne, 2016). ban thermal inequity?: the role of residents’ dispositions and those with larger families. Th is suggests household practices. Environmental Research Letters that people choosing to live in houses with Overall, we have found that many 11: 095014. dark roofs either don’t understand the disadvantaged households with less Byrne JA, Lo AY and Jianjun Y. (2015) Residents’ understand- heat implications or don’t have a choice; disposable income live in dwellings ing of the role of green infrastructure for climate change that were more vulnerable to heat and adaptation in Hangzhou, China. Landscape and Urban residents with larger families may have Planning 138: 132-143. pronounced thermal inequity. Yet support more immediate and urgent concerns. Coates L, Haynes K, O’Brien J, et al. (2014) Exploring 167 amongst residents for more urban years of vulnerability: an examination of extreme heat events Th e fi nancial cost of keeping cool greening is encouraging. A program of in Australia 1844–2010. Environmental Science & was pronounced, with over 90% planning-led urban greening in Upper Policy 42: 33-44. of respondents using expensive air Coomera would benefi t from strong Feyisa GL, Dons K and Meilby H. (2014) Effi ciency of parks in mitigating urban heat island effect: An example from Addis conditioning. We ran statistical analyses community buy-in. Ababa. Landscape and Urban Planning 123: 87-95. and discovered that families with children Hall T. (2010) Goodbye to the backyard?—the minimisation of and renters are especially vulnerable. Lessons for planning practice private open space in the Australian outer-suburban estate. Interestingly, people living in townhouses Our fi ndings can inform planning Urban Policy and Research 28: 411-433. were less likely to purchase energy effi cient practice in Queensland and beyond. Kleerekoper L, van Esch M and Salcedo TB. (2012) How to make a city climate-proof, addressing the urban heat island devices to lower energy expenses, as were Urban greening has many advantages effect. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 64: those with more children. Th is could be for climate change adaptation. It is 30-38. because those respondents are struggling comparatively inexpensive and politically Matthews T and Byrne J. (2016) If planners understand fi nancially and unable to aff ord the outlay it’s cool to green cities, what’s stopping them? Avail- palatable. Its rollout is supported by the able at: https://theconversation.com/if-planners-understand- costs for new appliances even if payback Federal Government’s recently established its-cool-to-green-cities-whats-stopping-them-55753. occurs over time through reduced bills. urban greening agenda. Matthews T, Lo AY and Byrne JA. (2015) Reconceptualizing green infrastructure for climate change adaptation: Barriers Our fi ndings on residents’ attitudes Unfortunately the legacy of poor urban to adoption and drivers for uptake by spatial planners. Land- point to broad community support for design in higher density neighbourhoods scape and Urban Planning 138: 155-163. Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 25 Plan Recognising indigenous rights in planning Sharon Harwood RPIA, Ed Wensing MPIA (Fellow) and Dominic Hammersley MPIA

In May 2016 the Queensland Parliament Th ere is presently no procedure or determination under the Native Title Act passed a new Planning Act, which in handbook that tells a planner how to 1993 (Cth) ; and a fi rst for planning law in Queensland advance the purpose of the Planning requires that in advancing the purpose Act in respect to valuing, protecting and Lands and waters that are subject to of the Planning Act, we ‘value, protect promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait a non-exclusive possession native title and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge, culture determination under the Native Title Act Islander peoples’ knowledge, culture and and tradition or how to demonstrate 1993 (Cth). tradition’. Th is is a momentous step- compliance. Moreover, this also means Altman (2014) maintains that since the change in the history of planning law that the Native Title Representative Bodies introduction of the Native Title Act 1993 in Australia, that Aboriginal and Torres (appointed under the Native Title Act (Cth) Indigenous Australians now own, Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge, 1993 (Cth) to represent Aboriginal and manage or control much of northern culture and tradition have been explicitly Torres Strait Islander people on native title Australia under statutory land rights and acknowledged, and therefore protected, matters) have also never dealt with this native title determinations and account level of infl uence from a planning Act. valued and promoted. for 48 per cent of the 3 million km2 of Th is provision has implications for all In the absence of any previous policy land north of the tropic of Capricorn entities operating under the Planning or detailed guidance notes from the (Altman 2014). However, if all native Act 2016 (Qld), namely of course, the Queensland Government relating to the title claims are successful, as much as Department of Infrastructure, Local inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait 70 per cent of Australia could be under Government and Planning as well Islander peoples’ interests in planning some form of Indigenous title. Th is also as a host of other State Government law, this paper identifi es two important suggests that all future development in departments and agencies, all local matters that planners practicing in northern Australia (in particular) will governments in Queensland, and all Queensland must be cognisant of in need to be carefully negotiated with other entities performing functions conducting planning activities. Th ese Indigenous land owners. under the yet to commence Planning include planning for the Indigenous Estate and the places where Aboriginal What is of greatest concern to us as Act. Th is applies to all lands and waters planners and the Aboriginal and Torres within the control of local governments and Torres Strait Islanders live. Strait Islander people we have been in Queensland and as such, all planning As this edition of Queensland Planner fortunate to work with, is the assumption policies (S4 of the Act) must demonstrate is about ‘Th e Environment’, it seems by outsiders that Traditional Owners how they have addressed ‘Advancing the only logical to discuss what this do not seek to develop their lands or purpose of the Act’. means relative to some myths about create an economy on the pretense that planning and Aboriginal and Torres Th e Sustainable Planning Act 2009, in they want to live a traditional lifestyle. Strait Islanders, their estate and where ‘Part 2 – Planning Schemes’ states that In many cases, Traditional Owners are they live. Th is background gives an a local government and the Minister seeking or supportive of their lands being important perspective on how the new must be satisfi ed the local government’s used to gain a foothold in the local or purpose of the new Planning Act may be planning scheme coordinates and regional economy. It is critical therefore operationalised in the future. integrates the matters, including core that planners familiarize themselves matters, dealt with by the planning Indigenous Estate in Queensland with the United Nations Declaration scheme. Core matters, include, amongst on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, other things ‘valuable features’, which in It is important that planners gain an appreciation of the size of the Indigenous especially their rights to development. turn include ‘areas or places of cultural It is time for the planning profession heritage signifi cance, including, for Estate and how the planning process must be adapted to suit the complex to respond through the design of example, areas or places of indigenous appropriate planning methods that truly cultural signifi cance’. legislative arrangements that aff ect its use and development. In Queensland the engages with Indigenous peoples about Th e signifi cance of the new Planning Indigenous estate comprises of: their world views and values. Th ere are Act is the explicit acknowledgement of distinct diff erences in environmental Freehold lands (pursuant to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander philosophy between Indigenous and non- Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (Qld), Torres knowledge, culture and tradition in Indigenous cultures which profoundly Strait Islander Land Act 1991 (Qld) and advancing the Act’s purpose, which aff ects shape perceptions about land use and the Land Act 1994 (Qld)); not just the matters that a planning environmental management. Th ese need scheme has regard to, but all facets of Lands and waters that are subject to to be acknowledged from the outset of land use planning. an exclusive possession native title any planning project. 26 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan

Finally, there has been scant Aboriginal Torres Both Total % Indigenous of Indigenous acknowledgement of the ‘fundamental Strait Indigenous total Population people/km2 Islander responsibilities that planning has in Cairns Regional Council 6,997 4,176 2,264 13,437 9.2 7.93 advancing its relations with Aboriginal Area: 1,693 km2 and Torres Strait Islander people in Townsville City Council 7,800 1,727 1,176 10,703 6.1 2.83 Urban Queensland’ (after Wensing Area: 3,786.6 km2 Mt Isa City Council 2,984 100 122 3,206 15.1 0.07 and Porter 2015). Planning must as a Area: 43,314 km2 matter of priority, identify methods and Brisbane City Council 12,598 1,196 836 14,630 1.4 10.92 strategies for implementation in day- 2 Area: 1,340 km to-day planning in seeking to advance Total Q Urban Areas 30,379 7,199 4,398 41,976 .837 Area: 50,133 km2 the purpose of the new Planning Act, Cape York Region 5,946 1,007 1,412 8,365 90.1 .349 in respect to valuing, protecting and All Indigenous LGA promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2 Area: 23,948 km Islander peoples’ knowledge, culture and Torres Strait Region/Island 137 4,911 872 5,920 78.9 4.29 Area: 1,377 km2 tradition. Queensland 122,896 20,094 12,834 155,824 3.6 .089 Area: 1,734,238.8 km2 Sharon Harwood RPIA is, Senior Lecturer James Cook University. Ed Table 1. Indigenous population in key local government areas in Queensland Wensing, MPIA (Fellow) is Adjunct Source: Queensland Regional Profiles, Queensland Government Statistician’s Office, Queensland Treasury. Associate Professor, James Cook University. Dominic Hammersley MPIA is Business Urban Aboriginal and Torres Th e Australian Human Rights Development Manager/Principal, Planning Strait Islander residents Commission (2010) has prepared a Cardno. Community Guide to United Nations While the above statistics seem Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous signifi cant for the future of northern People which states that ‘Equality recognises diff erence and does not mean Australia in terms of the spatial extent of References the Indigenous Estate, Queensland cities assimilation’. Th is means that Indigenous Australians have the right to practice and Australian Human Rights Commission (2010). Community in fact possess the greater concentration Reference Guide to the UN Declaration on the Rights of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres enjoy their culture as well as participate of Indigenous People. Available at https://declaration. Strait Islander peoples. Table 1 illustrates in broader society. So while Aboriginal humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/fi les/document/publica- and Torres Strait Islander residents may tion/declaration_community_guide.pdf (accessed 25 that Brisbane City Council has the October 2016). not be living on their ancestral lands they highest concentration (per square Wensing, E. and Porter, L. (2015) Unsettling planning’s kilometre) of Indigenous residents still have the right to continue to practice paradigms: towards a just accommodation of Indigenous living within the spatial extent of its their culture where they live. rights and interests in Australian Urban planning? Austral- ian Planner, 53(2), pp.91-102. jurisdiction followed by Cairns Regional Conclusions Queensland Regional Profi les, Queensland Government Council and Townsville City Council. Statistician’s Offi ce, Queensland Treasury Available at Planning has already realised some of the http://statistics.qgso.qld.gov.au/qld-regional- Despite the higher concentrations of incongruities between the philosophies profi les (accessed 25 October 2016). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Altman J. (2014) The political ecology and political peoples in Brisbane and other major economy of the Indigenous land titling ‘revolution’ in people and the impact that this has Australia. Maori Law Review, March, pp. 1-17 centres compared to the rural and on the use and development of the Legislation remote parts of the state, there are fewer Indigenous Estate. For instance bushfi re successful native title determinations in Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), (Australia). Available at: www. hazard management does not take into comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2014C00631 (accessed 25 the major cities and regional centres (see account the application of traditional October 2016). Wensing and Porter 2015, for instance). fi re management practices and the Aboriginal Land Act 1991 (Qld). Available at https://www. Th is has signifi cant implications for subsequent reduction in hazards through legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/A/Abor- planning, because if the planning process these techniques. Moreover, the matter of LandA91.pdf (accessed 25 October 2016) does not engage with the Aboriginal and housing on the Indigenous Estate remains Torres Strait Islander Land Act 1991 (Qld). Avail- able at https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ Torres Strait Islander population in our unresolved as a consequence of diff erent CURRENT/T/TorresStIsLnA91.pdf (accessed 25 October cities and major regional centres, then cultural conceptualisations of the term 2016) their needs and aspirations are unlikely ‘dwelling’. An interim compromise has Land Act 1994 (Qld). Available at https://www.legislation. to be met. Th is also has implications been found in Cook Shire with the qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/L/LandA94.pdf (ac- for planning processes elsewhere in the introduction of a ‘Good Living Area’ for cessed 25 October 2016) State. For example, current planning seasonal camps, but more work needs Planning Act 2016 (Qld). Available at https://www. legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2016/16AC025.pdf processes are not designed to take to be done to respond to the aspirations (accessed 25 October 2016) account of Aboriginal and Torres Strait of Traditional Owners to live and work Sustainable Planning Act (2009) Available at https://www. Islander peoples’ statutory land rights or on their Indigenous Estate on a more legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/S/Sust- native title rights and interests. permanent basis. PlanA09.pdf (accessed 25 October 2016)

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 27 Plan Warding off disaster by planning resilient communities Mateusz Buczko

Natural disasters are all too common in Yet currently there is a lack of guidance At present, however, settlement Australia, and have increased in frequency on what the responsibilities are of adaptation is much easier said than over the past 10 years. Th ey are also planners and built environment done. Th e Australia’s country towns 2050: very expensive: at present, they cost our professionals in this regard. Aggravating What will a climate adapted settlement economy $6.3 billion per year, a fi gure this is the fact that natural hazard pattern look like? report cites three major that is set to increase to $23 billion in management processes are often geared obstacles to implementing settlement 2050. Material losses aside, there is the towards engineering solutions such as adaptation strategies: a lack of resources far more tragic human toll – over the structural mitigation, which require among small councils to plan and last decade, catastrophes such as the a level of technical knowledge and implement actions; the ineff ectiveness of Black Saturday bushfi res in Victoria and understanding that can exclude planners current national and state government Cyclone Yasi in Northern Queensland from meaningfully participating. legislative frameworks to mobilise have claimed more than 200 lives and local government in this regard; and directly aff ected hundreds of thousands Th is is not to say that considering the pressure on local governments to more, leaving long-lasting emotional natural hazards in land use planning is prioritise immediate needs over the long- trauma and huge tears in the social fabric altogether new in Australia. Settlements term thinking required for settlement of impacted communities. would naturally evolve over time in adaptation planning and policy-making. response to hazards as they presented Th ere is not much we can do in the short themselves. If major or recurrent fl oods Th is is where PIA’s National Land Use term to prevent cyclones, tsunamis and occurred, for example, they would Planning Guidelines for Disaster Resilient other extreme environmental events from compel settlers to relocate their homes Communities comes in. Th is newly- occurring. Yet how much damage and and businesses to a safer area, with the released document, made possible by suff ering they cause is not simply a matter unstable areas being left as public open Australian Government funding as part of their severity. Th ere is another critical, space. Resilient building techniques such of the National Emergency Management often-overlooked factor: the capacity of as stilts, and ecological management Projects 2014-15 initiative, champions people living in at-risk areas to prepare practices such as vegetation management, the role of land use planning in creating for and withstand such events. Th is would also help people to live with or resilience. In its own words, it is capacity to anticipate, plan for, mitigate resist natural hazards as they adapted intended to “provide the context, process and recover from environmental risks is to Australia’s unique and sometimes frameworks and tools for how to integrate known as ‘resilience’. challenging environment. Finally, laws natural hazard risk reduction and resilience into land use planning practice.” A resilient community is one that has and regulations, in the form of land At a high level, the guide’s purpose is to been primed to resist the eff ects of a use management mechanisms, would instil practitioners with an understanding disruptive event. It is also one that is be developed by governments to help of how they can incorporate settlement dynamic, fl exible and quick to respond protect their settlements from risks. planning, social demography and non- and recover in the wake of such events. However, built environment practice hazard settlement considerations into Building this resilience is ever more is becoming more about ‘settlement hazard management planning. critical in Australia as natural disasters are adaptation’ than mere mitigation set to not only continue but potentially nowadays. Settlement adaptation means PIA CEO Kirsty Kelly calls it a “living increase in frequency and severity. using land and designing dwellings document” – an important fi rst step towards a national-level best practice Land use planning – a form of urban and infrastructure in such a way that it guidance for practitioners grappling with planning which seeks to ensure land is conforms to the natural form and fl ows the issues of natural hazard resilience, used and developed in an orderly, effi cient of the surrounding environment. Th is pre-disaster planning and post-disaster and ethical way – is instrumental in draws on the same logic as the analogy recovery. “Testing and jurisdictional helping build long-term resilience in our of the willow in a hurricane, which, implementation of this document is also communities. In the words of COAG’s because it is fl exible and able to bend intended to occur over time,” she writes National Strategy for Disaster Resilience, to the wind, survives the event – unlike in the guideline’s foreword, encouraging “Land use planning systems and building the sturdy but brittle tree, which is left readers “to comment on this document control arrangements reduce, as far as broken, battered and even uprooted. and provide suggestions to improve it to is practicable, community exposure A community that is able to adjust to better respond to this evolving area of to unreasonable risks from known its environment is able to absorb and land use planning practice.” hazards, and suitable arrangements recover from environmental events more are implemented to protect life and easily than one which tries to resist or Th ere is no doubt that climate change property.” control those forces. and population growth are rapidly 28 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Plan changing the world we live in, and measures like sea walls to early-warning personnel, government and other relevant that our approach to natural hazard systems and evacuation procedures organisations to be actively involved. management needs to catch up. We’ve to building codes that better protect Hence the settlement adaptation all heard about the melting ice caps in residences and infrastructure from the approach towards hazard mitigation the Arctic, but do we realise that the elements. Resilience is about preparing elevates land use planning from a resultant sea level rise around Sydney communities to stave off catastrophes but supporting role to a leading one, ensuring is likely to be double that of Iceland? also to recover from them and continue settlements are built in ways that are Or that the number of days of extreme functioning if they occur. It is about in accord rather than discord with the bushfi re danger in southern and eastern places and assets but above all it is about surrounding environment. Australia could almost triple by the end people – their psychological well-being PIA’s Land Use Planning Guidelines serves of the century? With 81% of Australia’s and social connectedness as well as their as a crucial starting point for navigating population living within 50km of the physical safety. As Jim Palmer of the today’s regulatory, administrative and coast, and growing pressures for urban Waimakiriri District Council said after legal frameworks to achieve eff ective development to extend into high- the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, “We prevention, preparation, response and bushfi re risk areas, PIA’s Th rough the will not be measured by the kilometres recovery. Actioned in conjunction with lens: megatrends shaping our future report of road and pipes that we replace, we will the longer-term recommendations of warns, “climate change will have wide- be measured by how our people come PIA’s Planning in a changing climate ranging and signifi cant impacts on the through this.” position statement, they can see planners infrastructure critical to the operation of Th at is why it’s critical for land across Australia become the champions settlements and industry across Australia.” use planners to lend their expertise of community safety, strength and We know that the impact of a natural towards the embedding of resilience sustainability… ensuring, as much as hazard is signifi cantly amplifi ed or in communities – by identifying possible, that the environmental hazards diminished by a community’s resilience, risks, developing plans and policy, and events we can forecast today do not and that this resilience is born out of and helping to continually improve turn into the natural disaster stories of robust, forward-thinking settlement the governance processes upon which tomorrow. adaptation as well as natural hazard good implementation of these relies. Mateusz Buczko is PIA’s mitigation. At a granular level, resilience Planners play a crucial role in engaging Communications Manager. is many things: from structural community members, emergency services

INFRASTRUCTURE CHARGES REDUCTION FOR RETIREMENT AND AGED CARE ACCOMMODATION

Brisbane City Council is offering a 33% reduction of infrastructure charges for qualifying developments for retirement and aged care accommodation.

To qualify, developments must: • be for a retirement facility and/or residential care facility which is compliant with the relevant provisions of Brisbane City Plan 2014 • provide a quality living environment that is fit for purpose and contributes towards design excellence within the industry • be given development approval between 1 September 2016 and 31 December 2019 (inclusive) and substantially commence building work by 31 December 2020 • enter into an Infrastructure Agreement with Council prior to the development commencing operation. 18020708AA

Council is committed to supporting the delivery of accommodation for our ageing population as part of our vision for a well-planned and liveable city.

For further information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘infrastructure charges’ or call Council’s Infrastructure Coordination team on (07) 3403 8888.

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 29 People

Congratulations to the following Members who have achieved milestones in their PIA journey since August 2016.*

John Adams RPIA (Fellow) - Elevation to Registered Fiona Macleod MPIA - New Member Planner (Fellow) Daniel Martiri MPIA – Elevation to Full Member Michael Ball RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Kate Matthews RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Matthew Burke MPIA – Re-joined Garth Moore RPIA (Fellow) - Elevation to Registered Peta Champion MPIA – New Member Planner (Fellow) Michelle Cottrell MPIA – Re-joined Urbi Musso MPIA - Elevation to Full Member Neil De Bruyn RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Jeff Nelson MPIA - New Member Aysin Dedekorkut-Howes MPIA – New Member Keith Noble RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Anthony Franklin MPIA – Re-joined Andrew Parker MPIA – Re-joined Nathan Freeman RPIA - Elevation to Registered James Paw RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Planner Natalie Plumbe MPIA - Elevation to Full Member Th omas Gardiner MPIA – New Member Lynette Prince-Large RPIA - Elevation to Registered Paula Grant RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Planner David Hansen RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Charlotte Swanston MPIA – Elevation to Full Member Byron Jones RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Felicity Tait RPIA - Elevation to Registered Planner Robin King-Cullen RPIA (Life Fellow) - Elevation to Karen Vella MPIA – Re-joined Registered Planner (Life Fellow) Simone Wise MPIA – New Member Michaela Lehman MPIA – Re-joined Darryl Low Choy RPIA (Fellow) - Elevation to Registered Planner (Fellow) *Refl ects membership records as at 11 November 2016

30 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 People

Q&A - Richard Moore Dan Molloy

Former Queensland Manager of the What were the highlights of your Australian Institute of Company Directors, time at Company Directors? Richard Moore took up the position of QLD/NT Manager for PIA in July. Richard Working with some of the fi nest has made a smooth transition in to the business leaders in Australia. To see their world of planning and shared some thoughts dedication to contribute to the success with Queensland Planner. of their respective organisations, whether that be for profi t or not for profi t, was Richard Moore How do you view your role with professionally very enjoyable. for the diversity of our membership. PIA? Also, taking our programs and courses We came away from this conference to the Pacifi c island nations, meeting I see my role as helping to ensure recognizing that the issues facing wonderful people and providing quality PIA remains relevant, innovative and planners in rural and regional centres continues to promote the positive governance training was extremely satisfying. are perhaps not given as much focus contribution Planners make to as they deserve. Also, there is much our communities. To support the What are the main challenges for to learn from the experience planners Queensland Committee and regions in the planning profession? develop in working across so many ensuring we continue to provide relevant diff erent issues in rural and regional services to PIA members. Some of the key challenges facing settings. the profession include attracting and What is your professional retaining talent; raising awareness of What are you passionate about background? the role of planners amongst the wider … other than work? community, planning for climate change, I started my working life in the oil & gas Besides family and travel, I do enjoy exploration sector as a geological data and the ongoing short-term pressure on our politicians which impacts on our long- playing some ordinary golf on some engineer working on oil rigs both onshore extraordinary courses. and off shore here in Australia and in term policy making. diff erent parts of the world. An exciting You worked on last month’s 2016 What places inspire you? career, but not without its challenges at Rural and Regional Planning times. I have been very fortunate to have Conference in Stanthorpe. How travelled to Asia many times for work I fell into association management during important is the connection with and pleasure, and the people, food a down turn in the oil industry and have regional members? and culture fascinate me. Places thoroughly enjoyed this sector in helping Extremely important, this conference like Barcelona and Chicago for the develop professionals in their respective architecture, but hey look at where we careers. highlighted the need for PIA to cater live……. Complete this sentence - Planning matters because … it provides the basis on which we utilise our community / social, environmental and cultural resources. Planners matter because if you look at the areas in which they work ie urban growth, transport, environment, social needs, economic, technology, quite simply they make a real diff erence to our future communities and ongoing wellbeing.

Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 31 Place Tropical Urbanism – Cairns City Image Study Cairns Regional Council, Tract Consultants, Follent, Peddle Thorp, CA Architects, Total Projects Group Architects

Tropical Urbanism – Cairns City Image Study won the ‘Best Planning Ideas – Small/ Local Project’ Excellence Award at the 2016 PIA Qld Awards for Planning Excellence and then capped off the awards presentation on 11 November by winning the Overall Winner’s Award. Th e following is an edited extract from the winning submission. Project background Cairns is framed by two World Heritage areas, the Wet Tropics Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Cairns is, quite literally, a ‘city in a rainforest.’ It is this close proximity between nature and the city that attracts tourism, energises the experience of locals, and positions Cairns The Concept of Tropical Urbanism as a unique tropical urban environment. Protecting and enhancing this environment and professionals challenged the long- built form within the area would need through planning and innovative urban standing policy on building height in to consider impacts on the operational design is paramount for the continued Cairns. Furthermore, in the lead up to airspace of Cairns Airport and, in particular, economic and community success of the commencing the Cairns City Image Study, the constraint of the Obstacle Limitation region. a number of development applications Surface. had been lodged with Council proposing In Cairns, the relationship between built Th e study was the culmination of previous development that would greatly exceed work, since 2009, on defi ning Tropical form, city planning and landscape is the building height limits within the expressed as Tropical Urbanism and is Urbanism and a ground- breaking review of Cairns City Centre and North Cairns the building height limits within the Cairns a defi ning characteristic of the Cairns areas. Understandably, community interest identity. City Centre and adjacent North Cairns piqued. area. Th e study resulted in the preparation Cairns Regional Council and local experts Th is prompted the need to review the of a contemporary vision for the built form in the fi elds of architecture and urban Council’s long-standing policy on building of the City and associated planning scheme design have, since 2009, been defi ning height limits within the Cairns City provisions to deliver this vision. Tropical Urbanism through research, policy Centre and North Cairns areas with the Th e City Image Study delivered: development and master planning of the view to consider increased development built environment. opportunities but in a way that would allow • A contemporary vision and strategic Over the past 20 years, the planning policy Cairns to retain its vision as a ‘city in a policy statements for built form within surrounding building height limits in rainforest’. the Cairns City Centre and North Cairns has remained relatively unchanged. Cairns Historically the topic of building heights The project • A defi nition of Tropical Urbanism within Cairns has generated measurable Th e Cairns City Image Study was a • Unique planning requirements for community and political interest as Cairns collaborative planning exercise undertaken both the Cairns City Centre and North has a predominantly low-rise skyline in 2015 by Cairns Regional Council in Cairns areas; which aff ords spectacular views back to the partnership with the consultant team and mountain ranges and out to the ocean from • An amended Cairns City Centre local local architects. Th e study focused on an plan code and associated mapping; key vantage points. area encompassing the Cairns City Centre Th is interest manifests itself in a number of and adjacent North Cairns area. Th is area is • An amended Building height overlay ways. fl anked by the Cairns Airport to the North code and associated mapping; and Port of Cairns to the South – both key During the public consultation on the • A Planning scheme policy on Tropical stakeholders in the outcomes of the study. CairnsPlan 2016 planning scheme, which Urbanism; and occurred in 2013 and again in 2014, Th e proximity of the Cairns Airport to • A fact sheet on Tropical Urbanism and submissions received from industry groups the study area meant that any changes to the key policy outcomes of the study. 32 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Place

All of these outputs were delivered in a format for the purpose of being readily included within the CairnsPlan 2016 planning scheme. A visionary approach Th e outcomes of the study represented an original and innovative approach by defi ning concepts and incorporating measures that are special to Cairns. Biophilia Expressing tropical urbanism Biophilia is a term that describes the • Passive design that responds to the the CairnsPlan 2016 is the only planning “extent to which humans are hard-wired tropical climate. scheme in Australia to include a percentage to need connection with nature and other To the project team’s knowledge, this is the requirement for landscaped façade coverage. forms of life”. It means that cities and fi rst time the term and concept of Tropical It is a simple technique but one which their environment, and in particular their Urbanism has been defi ned and used in a makes a powerful contribution to the public natural context, are inextricably linked. Th is statutory land use planning instrument. interest. concept was explored throughout the study and sets an aspirational context within Vertical landscaping Vertical landscaping can be achieved: by which Tropical Urbanism can be made deep landscaping at ground level that Vertical landscaping is increasingly used to more relevant and enduring. within 5 years projects coverage to the enable Biophilia to characterise urban areas façade; by landscaping on the tops of roofs; Tropical Urbanism where, in traditional podium- dominated podiums and basements, and/or by vertical town centres, there is a lack of opportunity gardens, green walls and trellis planting. Tropical Urbanism is thought to have its for landscaping at ground level. Vertical origins in Cairns. Whilst Cairns Regional landscaping softens and screens as well as In the Institute for Sustainable Futures Council and local experts in the fi elds or reduces the heat load of building elements. Australia’s Urban Tree Canopy Report, architecture and urban design have been Vertical landscaping also provides high-rise Cairns was ranked as having the highest exploring and developing the concept of occupants, at risk of disconnection from percentage of tree canopy of any city in Tropical Urbanism since 2009, this study the environment, a tangible experience of Australia at 79%. Although the city already was able to further defi ne the concept of nature. boasts a high level of canopy cover, there Tropical Urbanism in the context of a city’s remains a strong need to ensure that this Th e Study introduced the requirement responsibilities for town planning and asset is both protected and enabled to for development to incorporate vertical development control. continue to permeate urban areas. landscaping that covers 15% of each Th e Study defi ned Tropical Urbanism as: building façade for the full height of the Th e inclusion of ground level based • Th e integration of landscaping and building. To the project team’s knowledge, planting in this percentage calculation tropical design elements into the built environment. Development that expresses Tropical Urbanism incorporates: • Shelter from sun and rain; • A contrast of light and shade; • Suffi cient spaces around and between buildings; • Minimisation of radiant heat and heat island eff ects; • Air circulation, breeze permeation and passive cooling; • Generous outdoor living spaces with large window and balcony openings; • Generous fl oor to ceiling heights; • High quality landscaping; • Quality public and private spaces that proliferate and enliven the urban form; and Indicative street canopy profile Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 33 Place

and adapted to suit the needs of other tropical cities. Th e study incorporated measures for commonly experienced planning issues such as retention of views and vistas to signifi cant landmarks and landscapes. Th e study resulted in the introduction of a maximum building width of 40m within the Cairns City Centre and 30m within the North Cairns Area. Th is measure aims to ensure that signifi cant views to the surrounding mountain ranges can be retained and the visual bulk and impact of tall buildings is minimised. Th e study also introduced requirements for 50% of each façade to be shaded by

Indicative street canopy incorporating permanent features to the building such as protruding balconies, encourages the retention and future Th e canopy provides a generous volume overhangs and building articulation. maintenance of large, established trees on for cooling breezes as it casts additional Th ese approaches have the potential to be development sites. shading over adjacent roads contributing to readily applied in other local government a reduction of the heat island eff ect and a areas. Street canopy reduction in internal air temperatures. Th e project team has presented the Tropical Th e natural rainforest provides a dense Th is initiative takes the humble street Urbanism policy and Cairns City Image canopy to protect those below from rain awning to a new paradigm. Study at the Planning Institute of Australia and sun and features cool deeply shaded 2016 Planning Congress, the Queensland spaces below. One of the signature design Th e study is an innovative and Environmental Law Association Cooktown elements of the study is the Street Canopy responsive planning project driven by Regional Intensive 2015 and the which is an architectural abstraction of the extraordinary physical context and International Urban Design Conference 2015 the rainforest canopy and provides a tall personality of Cairns. sheltered space for pedestrian protection An adaptable approach A collaborative approach from the elements. Th e study delivered built form outcomes Th e Cairns Regional Council team, Th is design element will further defi ne that directly respond to the physical consultant team and local architects worked how Tropical Urbanism is experienced at context of the study area and the hand- in- hand to prepare the study. street level and can incorporate landscaping overarching vision for Cairns as a ‘City Th e study was a collaborative process and elements in this plane. Th e street canopy is in a rainforest’. However, it also provided involved engagement with representatives expected to occupy the full frontage of the built form outcomes that are responsive to from Cairns Airport and Ports North who had site and has been raised to a height to make development in the tropics. a direct interest in the outcomes of the study. visible and activate additional commercial uses on the second storey. Th e canopy ‘Around half of the world’s population – Members from the Council’s Planning also preserves the traditional scale of street some three billion people – and 80 per cent Scheme Industry Reference Group “containment” by 2 to 3 storey buildings of the planet’s animal and plant species were engaged at key stages in the study and is an elegant and consistent step live in the tropics.’ Th is study represents and provided valuable industry insight between the street and taller buildings that a signifi cant contribution of Tropical and experiences. Local architects Roger will sit on podia beyond the canopies. expertise that can be off ered, transferred Mainwood and Carlo Amerio were engaged

34 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Place by Council to provide input into the study and to test the draft policy outcomes using their local experience. Th e elected Councillors were engaged throughout the process and took ownership of the importance of balancing tropical urbanism and economic growth. Broader engagement with the community was undertaken as part of consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s draft planning scheme. Th e progression of the policy outcomes identifi ed by the study was ultimately dependant on the level Vertical landscaping of acceptance by the community. Th e for each. For North Cairns the focus was preserve Cairns’ identity as a ‘City in a community support received during the on built form that integrates into the rainforest’. consultation period confi rmed the policy landscape whereas for the Cairns City direction and validated the vision. Th e legacy will be streetscapes that are Centre it is about landscape that integrates quintessentially Cairns – cool and green A viable approach into the built form. A strong emphasis on with a built environment that is a physical landscaping, and scale, features strongly in Ensuring that any new built form outcomes manifestation and ongoing evolution of the North Cairns, whilst the Street Canopy were achievable and economically viable Tropical Urbanism. and landscaping above the podia dominates was a key objective of the study. Th e in the Cairns City Centre. Th e study is responsive. Th e need to planning scheme provisions underwent address the issue was identifi ed and signifi cant testing and review by the Th e Study represents a turning point in positive and decisive action was taken to consultant team, industry reference group the public’s and Council’s perception of respond professionally and politically. and local architects to ensure they were fi t building heights in Cairns because of the for purpose and commercially viable. Once buildings are in the public domain visionary but skilfully managed alignment they form part of a community’s Th e team explored initiatives on a range of of development opportunities with social psyche and are land marks for individual sites and considered all of the and environmental goals which seek to generations. opportunities and constraints dictated by location and size. What the judges said … Th e Tropical Urbanism - Cairns City Image A feature of the Cairns City Centre is the ….the project represents a turning point Study and the integration of this study into the numerous areas with small lots of varying in the public’s and Council’s perception CairnsPlan 2016, will create a great legacy ownership. Th e previous policy on height of building heights in Cairns. Th e project for planning and the City of Cairns. in Cairns relied on the amalgamation of delivers a contemporary and viable policy for Th e judges felt that this project was several smaller lots to achieve the minimum built form through planning scheme provisions particularly outstanding and worthy of the lot sizes for taller buildings. A key outcome that increases development opportunities overall award because the project: of the study was the removal of minimum whilst preserving Cairns’ identity as a ‘city in 1. is highly innovative, represents forward lot sizes for tall buildings to allow a rainforest’. developers with smaller lots the opportunity thinking and establishes a clear to build tall buildings without relying on Cairns Regional Council are highly commitment to leading by example; the acquisition on surrounding lots. commended for undertaking a collaborative 2. has allowed Council and the project team planning exercise, working with local to ‘think outside the square’ through bold Th is not only opens development architects to test the draft policy outcomes planning and political decisions which will opportunities to a wider pool of potential and capitalise on their local experience. Th e leave a lasting legacy; investors, but also introduces new built judges acknowledge that broader community 3. is undeniably Cairns and embodies a clear form opportunities to the city centre. A engagement was undertaken as part of vision for the future of the CBD that is diversity of building type and heights, all consultation on proposed changes to the likely to redefi ne the City Centre; ‘linked’ by the street canopy is the expected Council’s draft planning scheme. outcome. 4. will enhance the Cairns leadership in Th e study represents a signifi cant contribution the establishment of sustainable and Th e conundrum of off street parking of Tropical expertise that can be off ered, provision, often a project ‘killer’, can be appropriate forms of urban development transferred and adapted to suit the needs of in a tropical setting; handled in the podium, screened from view other tropical cities. Cairns is defi ning itself 5. provides a signifi cant contribution by active land uses within the podium and as a leader worldwide in the area of tropical to reforming the way similar cities by the street canopy. urbanism and this project is likely to redefi ne around the world respond to the modern the image of the CBD. Th e diff erent development context between challenges of managing growth and the Cairns City Centre and Cairns North development. necessitated a diff erent design response Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 35 3rd - 5th May 2017, Sydney Place Postcard from Oahu Dirk Van Der Kamp PIA (Assoc.) and Ciaran Callaghan PIA (Assoc)

Aloha! relaxing on the sandy white beaches, awestruck by the natural beauty of the drinking martinis and navel gazing. island. Oahu, more commonly referred to as the heart of Hawaii, is home to the State Waikiki is a very active and compact Th e mountains compliment the more capital, Honolulu, and Waikiki where, precinct - a veritable tourist paradise. popular beaches and off er a range of out of sheer coincidence, we recently Distinct from the CBD that is unique hiking experiences, some in dry, spent 10 days on holiday (or vacation in Downtown Honolulu, Waikiki harsh coastal settings and others in lush American terminology). comprises a plethora of hotels, shops rainforest locations, but all off ering 360 and restaurants. Th ese dominate the degree panoramic views. Th ough geographically small, taking only main strip, including the largest outdoor one and a half hours to drive around the Unlike many hikes around South-East shopping centre in the world located whole island, Oahu certainly left lasting Queensland, we regularly shared hiking approximately 10 minutes north of impressions … mostly good but some not trails with hundreds of people. Th e Waikiki. Waikiki is most famous for its so good. Government departments charged with beach which is approximately 3km long running and maintaining the hiking trails The highlights and contains a combination of public were under-resourced by comparison to use areas and hotel frontages. Th e live back home. As a result, many of the hikes Th e North Shore is characterised by an band culture certainly contributes to the are inaccessible, due to safety risks and often-remote coastal setting devoid of Waikiki experience with most restaurants, a lack of facilities, but also due to the any dense forms of development and bars and hotels off ering opportunities for sacred nature of some sites which contain is made up of scattered coastal villages local bands to perform. It is a popular the ancient burial grounds of Hawaiian and small local centres, interspersed destination, with crystal clear waters, and chieftain tribes. by the occasional gated, luxury resort. many sail boats and catamarans are visible Th e paucity of development gives rise Complementing the mountains is sailing in the distance. Th is city centre to a plethora of pristine shorelines and the array of beaches, surf-breaks, is truly alive and active with standard beaches with unparalleled opportunities reefs, waterfalls and lagoons, which trading hours from 9am-12am each for surfi ng as well as scuba diving, accommodate a range of water-sports and night, a striking dissimilarity to Brisbane. snorkelling and swimming with turtles, leisure activities. Open ocean swimming with sharks was a highlight. sharks and dolphins. It is an ideal getaway Despite mixed fi rst impressions of Oahu destination, to escape the bustling city at the dated Honolulu International While the beautiful beaches and lifestyle and spend a few days enjoying Airport (in a commercial and industrial breathtaking scenery are something to be some of the world’s best reef breaks, area) it’s not long before we were marvelled at, Oahu is also rich in culture.

Byodo-in Temple Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 37 Place

Th e multicultural roots of Hawaii housed the Hawaiian monarch is now respecting and promoting the Polynesian combine primarily Japanese, European, a public museum and national historic culture of Hawaii as well as embracing Chinese, Filipino and of course landmark. and accommodating the variety of Polynesian ethnicity, which in turn has • Pearl Harbor – In addition to being external cultures, culminating in a truly created a strong sense of multiculturalism. an active military base, Pearl Harbor international destination. Food, art, music, shops and language also contains a collection of varying The lowlights have all been infl uenced by the varying memorials and decommissioned spread of nationalities that inhabit the warships paying tribute to the fallen Th ough few and far between, our journey island. From the Japanese restaurants lives on the infamous day of December to Oahu did present some negatives. (some of which don’t require tipping) or 7, 1941. When visiting Oahu and Waikiki, it is the Filipino dominated populace (second clear that these were built for the tourist • Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC) largest ethnic group in Hawaii), the population. Th is obviously provides – one of the most frequented island certainly embraces ethnic diversity. destinations in Oahu, the PCC positive economic stimulus to the local Multicultural places visited included: contains simulated tropical villages area however after a few days in Waikiki • Byodo-In Temple – a replica non- representative of various Polynesian and the surrounding parts of Honolulu, denominational Japanese Buddhist culture and is also a school off ering it became clear that being so heavily Temple commemorating the 100 year scholarship programs for Hawaiians geared towards the short-term visitor has anniversary of Hawaiian Japanese with the aim to preserve Polynesian somewhat compromised the liveability immigrants culture. and amenity for permanent residents. • Iolani Palace - the only offi cial state of Th e people are relaxed and easy-going Walking through the streets of Waikiki royalty in America which previously and have found a great balance between there is a clear disparity amongst socio- economic classes and you are often struck with an uneasy image of overseas shoppers indulging in one of the many high-end retailers whilst the less fortunate local residents seem excluded. Waikiki’s main strip of Kalakaua Avenue presents a welcoming, luxurious pedestrian environment, with an abundance of water features and streetscape vegetation, however this quickly dissipates as you move further inland, with a noticeable diff erence only a block back from the beach. Unfortunately, crime is also a frequent occurrence on Oahu and tourists are often targeted. When it comes to transport around the island the car is still king. Travel around Waikiki is easy enough on transport shuttles, however any chance of exploring the island outside of the major tourist centre requires a car. Famous walking trails, which are outside Waikiki, are only accessible by car or shuttle bus. Th is renders many of the island’s best natural features diffi cult to access for tourists. Oahu’s only public transport is buses, which for their seemingly small fl eet and lack of infrastructure, do well to cover such a signifi cant portion of the island. Th ese buses utilise the same road infrastructure as private forms of transport, meaning there is little to no dedicated public transport infrastructure on the island. On a positive note, one simple inclusion is bike racks on all Hawaiian buses. Given the size of the island, this simple idea eff ectively Koko Crater hike 38 – Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 Place

Turtle Bay Resort - Oahu’s North Shore integrates active and public transport and of light rail on the Gold Coast, we felt Lessons for South-East Queensland means you can almost always ride a bike that something similar could be very Oahu is unique but there are certain to a nearby bus stop and easily jump on. benefi cial in Waikiki and even downtown aspects that should be noted. Honolulu. Th e proportion of vehicles to the island’s Th ere was evidence of a clear intent to Hawaiians do a fantastic job of marketing size and population has a number invest in renewable energy on Oahu, themselves as a tourist destination. of negative impacts on the function which is a defi nitive positive for the Th ey have recognised the island’s of the City. Peak-hour congestion island. However these structures have tropical beauty as its major asset and is common on the freeways and been met by strong local opposition, capitalised on its value. Th e associated pedestrian connectivity of Waikiki is as residents believe windfarms have service industries of accommodation, also compromised, with pedestrian and destroyed the natural scenic beauty food, entertainment, outdoor activities vehicle confl ict common on the busy and landscape profi le of the islands and and retail have also been developed in city streets. After witnessing the success impacted on wildlife. a way to support the tourist industry.

Waimea Bay - Oahu’s North Shore Queensland Planner – Summer 2016 – Vol 56 No 4 – 39 Place

Importantly, there is recognition that the can fully immerse themselves with many installation of bike racks on all buses natural environment is a fi nite resource opportunities to embrace the experience. which greatly improves the integration of and no complacency can be aff orded, so We could learn from this, especially public and active transport on the island. eff orts are made to protect this, by eco- with regard to how well we educate In South-East Queensland there is a tourism measures such as restrictions on international visitors about indigenous tendency to struggle with this integration. visitor numbers, and access to protected Australians. Th e result is a non-productive areas. competition of all forms of road vehicles As well as preserving and promoting (cars, buses, trains, bicycles and motor Oahu is also a great example of how to culture, Hawaiians do a terrifi c job of bikes) to access city centres. Eff ort should promote culture, preserving it whilst promoting while conserving natural be directed at how our transport modes also sharing it with visitors and making assets. Th e best example of this is can better complement each other, rather it an economic attraction. Th e tourism Hanauma Bay State Park, an example of than compete for dominance. industry off ers Polynesian experiences as eco- tourism, requiring an entry fee and part of its array of “must do” packages, limiting visitor numbers each day. Entry Oahu is a stunning place, with beautiful and these serve to educate outsiders entails viewing an educational video, so people and a defi nite must-do for all keen as well as preserve the heritage for the travellers interested in experiencing new visitors are aware of the importance of local inhabitants. It would be hard to cultures and lifestyles. proper protection of the natural fl ora leave Hawaii without experiencing and and fauna, while providing a spectacular Mahalo! being educated about the Polynesian snorkeling experience. culture even in a small way, as exposure is prevalent in daily life such as food, Th e ability of the Hawaiian people to music and language. Tourists with an maximise results with limited resources express interest and visiting with the is notable. An example of a small specifi c aim of learning about the culture investment with large dividends is the

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