The Queensland Government has updated cumbersome requirements and cut red tape to streamline dam and weir developments.
New Accepted Development Requirements have removed the requirement for development applications and approvals on over 90 per cent of waterway barrier works, culverts, disaster recovery works or dam and weir repairs.
Unnecessary requirements for fish passages will also be removed from 122,000 kilometres of waterways in Western Queensland.
The Queensland Government has said that it is delivering a reform that will strike the right balance between industry certainty and healthy fish populations, with native fish species to still be looked after with well-designed and risk appropriate fish passage requirements.
A Rural and Remote Council Fish Passage Support Team has been set up for regional councils to gain quality and timely technical agency advice on the management of waterways, fish passage and waterway barrier works in their respective regions.
Queensland Minister for Local Government and Water, Ann Leahy, said the State Government was delivering a fresh start for Queenslanders.
“We are delivering a plan for Queensland’s future by significantly reducing the cost, time and regulatory burden for waterway projects across Queensland,” Leahy said.
“We promised Queenslanders we’d deliver meaningful change and generational water infrastructure, and it’s exactly what we’re doing. It’s exactly why we’re cutting this red-tape.
“The Queensland Government’s common-sense reforms reduce red tape and will make more dam projects financially viable at a time Queensland needs water security to address the needs of a growing population.”
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett, said the changes achieve sensible reform which protects and safeguards fish stocks and waterways.
“We committed to be a government that listens, and to make decisions grounded in science rather than ideology,” Perrett said.
“These changes are testament to that approach by striking the right balance and will ensure our fisheries remain healthy and well stocked into the future.
“The Department of Primary Industries is providing a technical advice service for local councils and water suppliers which can provide early advice and fish passage guidance on projects, saving them time and money.
“While we are delivering significant red tape reduction, there is much more to be done to deliver for Queensland’s future, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised.”
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith, welcomed the partnership approach taken by the State Government in its work with councils to reduce red tape and unnecessary costs to communities.
“These reforms are practical, pragmatic, efficient and respond to what councils have been calling for,” Smith said.
“In particular, the changes to reduce the regulatory burden placed on councils trying to rebuild following natural disasters – something councils and the LGAQ have advocated for several years – is very much welcomed.
“We thank the State for listening to the concerns of councils and responding in a way that will help them better deliver for their communities.”
More information the new Accepted Development Requirements can be found here: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/fisheries/development/waterways/barriers
