Queensland’s Ministerial Environmental Roundtable has met for a question and answer session with representatives from a range of interest groups including the Queensland Conservation Council, Sunshine Coast Environment Council, National Parks Association and the Environmental Defenders Office.

 

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said his government was “unashamedly elected on the platform of economic development, but we will do it in a way that respects the environment and delivers the best possible environmental outcomes for Queensland”.


“There can be a degree of conflict between development and planning and the environment but we always want to find the right balance between them, so it’s crucial that we have a close working relationship with these groups.


“As long as Environment Minister Andrew Powell and I are involved, there will always be a close interaction between my department and the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP),”  Mr Seeney said.


Mr Seeney was questioned on a range of issues including protection of the Great Barrier Reef, CSG regulation, regional planning, development at Abbot Point and negotiations involving the Caloundra South project.


He said the Newman Government was working on establishing a number of regional plans and that the concerns of environmental groups and the communities involved would be taken into account as those plans were developed.


“We want to see the Co-ordinator General bring together the many departments that will work to deliver our objectives, and we want to see EHP given the status it should have as a strong environmental watchdog,” Mr Seeney said.


The two-day roundtable was hosted by Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Andrew Powell, who addressed the group yesterday.