More time and better stakeholder engagement needed on Lake Eyre Basin laws

An organisation representing seven local government areas of outback Queensland is calling on the Queensland Government for more time and better consultation on potential changes to laws which could affect outback waterways and land use in the Lake Eyre Basin.

The State Government provided Remote Area Planning and Development Board with a presentation on proposed amendments to the Regional Planning Interests Act on the 18th of December 2019 requesting feedback by the 24th of January 2020.

RAPAD is calling on the State Government to provide more detail on proposed amendments and extend the feedback period.

“We feel it is more than reasonable to expect an extension of the feedback period until at least the end of February to allow proper consideration of the material presented to RAPAD Directors before Christmas,” RAPAD CEO David Arnold said.

“Mayors need to take what information they have back to their councils and community for consideration before they can provide an informed position on a process which could have a significant impact on their region,” he said.

RAPAD is also calling on the State Government to conduct a multi-stakeholder discussion, to enhance the consultation process.

“It’s our strong desire for the government to adopt a collective stakeholder process similar to the previous Wild Rivers Advisory Panel and Wild Rivers Advisory Panel under both the former Labor and Liberal governments,” he said.

“We feel we can get the best outcome for the communities and environment of the Lake Eyre Basin if local government, environmentalists, traditional owners and industry work together to provide guidance and feedback on the governments proposed changes to the act,” Mr Arnold said.