Policy Reform
Policy creation and review has major implication for our human and natural communities. As a regional conservation council we are often advocating for new policies; as well as providing comment on policy reviews, to ensure we are getting the best possible outcomes for the natural environments that are so important to all of us. In some cases CAFNEC will make submissions on behalf of our community. At other times, when there are immediate or important consequences, we will ask the community to assist us in making submissions. Stay up to date here with our most recent policy submissions.
Current Policy Work
Cairns Regional Council: Draft Climate Change Strategy 2030
The Cairns Climate Change Strategy 2030 sets a pathway for Cairns Regional Council to achieve net zero emissions by 2030 and to support the climate aspirations of our community. This strategy is Council’s commitment to our community on climate action, so they are inviting questions, comments and feedback on the draft before finalising and actioning the strategy.
You can read CAFNEC’s submission and make your own submission here.
SUBMISSIONS OPEN UNTIL 31-JAN-2022 AT 5:00PM.
EPBC Act Review
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is our key environmental legislation that sits at a Federal level and is designed to protect our most vulnerable ecosystems. In 2019 the statutory review of the EPBC Act commenced. The review will look at how the EPBC Act has been operating, and any changes needed for the Act to ensure it is fulfilling its purpose.
But we know our EPBC Act is failing to protect the plants and animals that we love and that are essential for our planet’s wellbeing. It is weak, poorly funded and doesn’t even mention climate change.
You can see CAFNEC’s submission here.
In the meantime, you can make your own submission– We’ve put everything you need to know in one place!
Recent Policy Work
Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015 - Cairns Port Provisions
The Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015 (Ports Act) provides a legislative framework for sustainable port development in Queensland. For the Port of Cairns, the Ports Act includes specific provisions (section 35(2)(b) and (3)) that allows the carrying out of limited capital dredging for a port facility within the inner harbour of the Port of Cairns. Up to 50,000 cubic metres of material can be approved to a limit of no more than 150,000 cubic metres of material in a 4-year period.
The Ports Act also includes provisions (section 38) that require a review of sections 35(2)(b) and (3) to be completed. The review required by section 38 of the Ports Act is currently underway.
Spectacled Flying-fox Relocation Management Plan
The Cairns Library colony has approximately 10% of the entire national population of Spectacled Flying Foxes, and fared better than all other roosts during the 2018 heatwave. Yet Cairns Regional Council has proposed a Relocation Management Plan to disperse and relocate this colony of more than 5000 Spectacled Flying Foxes.
Read CAFNEC’s submission on the proposed relocation plan: CAFNEC Submission – Cairns Flying-fox Relocation Management Plan R07
The Code of Practice - Ecologically sustainable management of Flying-fox roosts
The Cairns Library colony has approximately 10% of the entire national population of Spectacled Flying Foxes, and fared better than all other roosts during the 2018 heatwave. Yet Cairns Regional Council has proposed a Relocation Management Plan to disperse and relocate this colony of more than 5000 Spectacled Flying Foxes.
Read CAFNEC’s submission on the review of the code: Code of Practice Review
Queensland Electoral Spending Laws
CAFNEC supports the stated intention of this Bill to make elections fairer, and to limit the influence of big money over politicians in Queensland. However, after reviewing the legislation, we are deeply concerned that it will not meet the stated intention. As it reads, it will have major impacts on small community organisations and charities, like CAFNEC, yet still allow for the influence of the largest groups spending on, and influencing elections.
Read CAFNEC’s submission on the proposed legislation: Submission on the Electoral and Other Legislation (Accountability, Integrity and Other Matters) Bill 2019 (Bill).