Mangrove removal
The new approval process mangrove removal and low-impact fisheries developments is now available through the self-assessment processes introduced by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries this month.
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said the new self-assessable codes could be used for projects that would have a minor impact on the environment and community.
The two self-assessable codes that canegrowers mostly will use are:
- maintenance works on existing lawful structures (other than powerlines and on-farm drains) in a declared Fish Habitat Area or involving the removal, destruction or damage of marine plants
- on-farm drain maintenance works involving the removal, destruction or damage of marine plants
Cane growers have been undertaking these works under the previous agreement with the Q DPI&F. Now cane growers will use a self-assessment process against the relevant code. This code has the same requirements as the previous arrangements with DPI&F.
"Under the self-assessment process, if your project complies with the rules and requirements set out by the DPI&F codes, you can proceed with the project without further approvals from DPI&F," Mr Palaszczuk said.
"However, if your project does not comply with the code you will need to make an application through the normal DPI&F development assessment and approval processes."
Self-assessment codes have been prepared for fisheries developments with low ecological impact including:
- low impact aquaculture
- dead marine-wood collection from unallocated State land for trade or commerce
- maintenance works on existing lawful structures (other than powerlines and on-farm drains) in a declared Fish Habitat Area or involving the removal, destruction or damage of marine plants
- on-farm drain maintenance works involving the removal, destruction or damage of marine plants
- maintenance works on powerlines and associated infrastructure in a declared Fish Habitat Area or involving the removal, destruction or damage of marine plants
- works for educational, research or monitoring purposes outside declared Fish Habitat Areas
- minor waterway barrier works on low order inland waterways
- temporary single waterway barriers works in freshwater.
The new codes are part of amendments, which have been made to the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA).
In addition to these eight codes, the amendments have also allowed for pest control activities such as mosquito control to be carried out in declared Fish Habitat Areas without receiving a Fisheries Act authority so long as the procedure complies with the Fisheries Code of Practice.
The amendments have also allowed for the fee structure associated with development approvals and resource allocation to be simplified. Annual fees have been abolished. More information on the IPA amendments is available from the Fishweb site at www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb or by phoning the DPI&F Call Centre on 13 25 23.