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
Joint Submission: Performance Framework for QLD Biodiversity Strategy
The Queensland Government’s Performance Framework for the state biodiversity strategy is a critical tool for guiding and assessing the state’s efforts in conserving and enhancing its biodiversity. However, upon review, it is evident that the framework exhibits several inconsistencies and deficiencies that undermine its effectiveness. Notably, there is a disconnect between the Biodiversity Strategy, which is informed by the CBD post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Performance Framework, which references the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This misalignment has led to a lack of specificity, measurable targets, and clear indicators within the framework, impacting its ability to effectively monitor progress and achieve desired conservation outcomes. This submission outlines the key issues identified in the current framework, including inconsistencies, lack of specificity, vague measurability, unclear achievability, relevance concerns, and absence of time-bound deadlines. Addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring that Queensland’s biodiversity strategy is both robust and actionable, thereby enhancing the state’s capacity to meet its biodiversity goals and commitments.
Joint Submission: Crocodile Control And Conservation Bill 2024
The signatories to this submission strongly oppose the Crocodile Control and Conservation Bill 2024 (The Bill) introduced by Mr Shane Knuth MP, Member for Hill on 22 May 2024. The Bill is dangerously simplistic and an attempt to reinvent the current framework for crocodile management in Queensland as contained in the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan (The Plan).
Crocodile Management Plan Draft
The Response to Queensland Crocodile Management Plan Draft (The Draft) prepared by Wildlife and Threatened Species Operations, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (The Department) has raised major concerns for the Cairns and Far North Queensland Environment Centre (CAFNEC). The Department has requested submissions in relation to “how clearly the draft plan explains” the five topics listed for consideration, however CAFNEC is of the view that there are a number of significant matters in the Plan that appear to ignore or contradict the evidence and recommendations on which the Draft is said to have been based.
Queensland Energy Bill
Our communities are already
suffering the impacts of climate change, from flooded homes to ecosystems at risk. We
desperately need to take action to reduce emissions rapidly. Renewable energy is one of the
best ways we can do this. We were very pleased that the 2022 Queensland Energy and Jobs
Plan provided a path to end Queensland’s expensive and dangerous reliance on coal fired
power.Developing Renewable Energy Zone frameworks can work together to ensure that renewable energy is built to meet the system needs and decarbonise our energy.
We urge the Government and Opposition to support this bill, and accelerate the development of
REZ readiness frameworks to ensure the transition to renewable energy benefits nature,
communities and climate.
Review of State Code 23
We urge the Queensland Government to take this opportunity to strengthen the code further to improve environmental safeguards, mandate community consultation and enshrine free, prior and informed consent through the following key improvements. We have also included below our recommendations for the broader planning framework review, including as set out in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, to deliver a strategic and well planned renewables roll out that delivers a safe climate future, thriving nature and strong communities.
Northern Conservation Alliance: Submission on the National Water Agreement
The Northern Conservation Alliance is a coalition of Conservation Councils covering the North of Australia, comprising Environment Centre Northern Territory, Environs Kimberley and Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.
Our organisations recognise that the unique, globally significant natural values, climate and ecological processes of Northern Australia require a different approach. The new National Water Agreement must support an approach to water governance that respects, nurtures and values the environment and culture of Northern Australia, and provides social, economic and environmental justice now and well into then future.
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.
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).