Sandy has received notification that following her long-time efforts, the recent Government has committed to legislate to establish an Independent Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). She now calls on the LNP to make the same commitment should they form Government after October 2024.
Our community respect, and are passionate about, the environment. That is reflected in its Biosphere Reserve status and the efforts over decades to protect its unique assets. Yet over the last three years, we have seen a catastrophic increase in dust, noise, damage to infrastructure and wildlife, and danger to road users and residents through an inappropriate volume of heavy haulage through our Noosa villages with no action through our environmental protection system to mitigate this.
The Sunshine Coast Environment Council also welcomed this significant election commitment from the recent Government to bolster environmental protection, accountability and decision-making.
They said in a statement on 11 October 2024:
“Along with our fellow conservation & Natural Resource Management groups we look forward to this independent agency playing a key role in environmental protection and regulation. Sandy Bolton MP has led the political charge as she understood its importance from the outset.”
As mentioned in our March 2023 Noosa update, an IEPA is a stand-alone body for the enforcement of environmental laws and can be classified as independent when the Government does not have powers to direct or control the organisation which is being sought. Queensland is the only State in Australia not to have an EPA and Sandy has been pressuring the Government since 2021, as this can potentially provide another avenue to solve local environmental problems including the trauma being experienced by hinterland residents affected by heavy haulage.
The Queensland Conservation Council said in a media release on 11 October 2024 that an IEPA would play a crucial role in cracking down on the state’s rampant environmental crime, including wide scale illegal deforestation. Over the past four years, one hundred and fifty-two thousand and one hundred hectares of unexplained and potentially illegal land clearing has taken place in Queensland – including eight thousand hectares of endangered forest. They are also calling for the LNP to match the commitment to introduce a well-resourced independent EPA with teeth ahead of the state election in just a couple weeks.
The North Queensland Conservation Council also echoes this sentiment, with their Coordinator Crystal Falknau saying in the same media release:
“Queensland is the only state or territory in Australia without an EPA, so this announcement is long overdue. Queensland desperately needs an independent agency with the authority needed to make the tough calls.”
In addition to her efforts regarding the IEPA, Sandy has also advocated for the Minister for Environment to have increased powers. In a speech in Parliament on the Environmental Protection Bill on 2 May 2024, Sandy shared the community’s frustration that the recommendations in the 2022 independent review for environmental protection enforcement and compliance have not been adopted fully within the Bill. To read her full speech, head to https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/speeches/spk2024/Sandy_Bolton-Noosa-20240502-594462689390.pdf
Since giving that speech where Sandy raised the issue of the Bill not fully implementing the original recommendation in relation to the powers of the Chief Executive to amend Environmental Authorities, clarity has been provided. This that the existing processes and new ones combined address the full recommendation. So why did we have a question mark? Because until we ‘test’ this, there are no assurances that it will achieve what is sought by communities impacted by environmental authorities that are no longer ‘fit for purpose’, including those that allow devastation to residents, wildlife and our environment.
The Kin Kin Quarry is an example of where an environmental authority (EA) is issued for small development that then allows for an unacceptable expansion if it is the same type of development, without triggering a review of the EA in any form.
An EA should deal with all impacts, not just those inside the permit area, and include wildlife carnage, social and economic impacts on residents, and the mental and physical health of communities.
Sandy welcomes these long fought for wins and stresses the need for us to stay Independent to hold political parties to their commitments. She said the following in a recent media statement:
“This commitment to establish an IEPA is testimony to the true power of genuine advocacy for the benefit of Noosa and all of Queensland, and the LNP must do the same.”
“Although this Labor Government has had a majority and I am an Independent with no alliances to either major party, these last seven (7) years have seen more delivered for Noosa following my advocacy than when previously we’ve had party MPs, even when their own parties held power. This will not change if the LNP comes to power, as being Independent I work with, or against when needed, both major parties, and as demonstrated, can achieve much. This through sheer hard work and presenting our community’s ‘case’ with credibility and collaboration, as it should be.”
Further information
For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding the Independent Review of Powers and Penalties, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Independent+Review+of+Powers+and+Penalties.
For our previous Noosa 360 updates regarding the IEPA, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=independent+Environmental+Protection+Agency
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