During 2011, the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) implemented a temporary State Planning Policy (Protecting Wetlands of High Ecological Significance in Great Barrier Reef Catchments) to protect coastal wetlands from inappropriate development.  This temporary policy is due to expire in May this year and a permanent policy with the same name has been drafted for implementation.

 The draft policy aims to protect both coastal and inland freshwater wetlands in Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment areas from high impact earthworks and ensure that such wetlands can continue to provide a filtering effect to water flowing to the GBR.  Specifically, the policy applies to wetlands designated by the DERM as having a High Ecological Significance (HES).  Such wetlands can be identified through a free lot on plan search through the DERM.  Wetlands which are designated as being of HES have a 500m assessable development trigger area in rural zones and 100m assessable development trigger area in urban zones for development which includes high impact earthworks.

 Activities defined as high impact earthworks may include:

• filling of land, including raising the level of land, by the placing of fill material;
• excavation of land, including excavation to create a canal, channel or water storage;
• construction of a levee, bund wall or diversion bank;
• construction or raising of a dam, weir or other barrier across a waterway; and
• construction of a road, culvert or causeway.

 The draft State Planning Policy Protecting Wetlands of High Ecological Significance in Great Barrier Reef Catchments is available on the DERM website at http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/ecosystems/draft-spp.html and is open for comment until 28 April 2011.

For a free lot and plan search through the DERM go to:  http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/ecosystems/referable-wetlands-form-draft-spp.php