New Levee Bank Framework to Provide Greater Certainty (Australia)

Queensland landholders and local communities will benefit from a clear and transparent process for the construction and modification of levee banks, following the introduction of a statewide regulatory framework that came into effect today.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Andrew Cripps said the new process was in response to the final report of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

“We are delivering on the Queensland Government’s commitment to implement the recommendations of the final flood commission report,” Mr Cripps said.

“This is the first time landholders and local communities will have a clear definition of levees and a consistent approach across the state to help them manage the construction and modification of levees in Queensland.

“The changes will provide certainty and guidance for landholders where individuals are constructing or modifying levees with no impact beyond their property boundary by introducing a self-assessable code.

“We are also empowering local councils by allowing them to assess applications for levees, which will have an impact on more than one property, or pose a significant risk to infrastructure or the local community.

“Councils will also have the ability to decide how they wish to implement the new rules by allowing them to make decisions about levees based on their knowledge of the local community and specific local planning and management needs.”

Mr Cripps said it was a logical decision to give councils the power to assess these applications.

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Press Release, May 16, 2014