ARTICLE · 02 JUNE 2012

Queensland's Regulatory Quagmire: The Dark Side of Planning - Part 2

HopgoodGanim

Explore more from HopgoodGanim

This part examines Qld's regulatory system of urban planning with respect to Standard Planning Scheme Provisions.

AustraliaEnvironment

Author LinkedIn connections

By David Nicholls,Partner

Standard Planning Scheme Provisions

The SPA introduced a new category of State planning instrument, called the standard planning scheme provisions. ⁴² This creature was conceived during the review of the IPA following the then Minister for Local Government and Planning's announcement in February 2006 of a general review of the legislation. Extensive consultation revealed a concern about inconsistencies in the structure, language and application of planning schemes and a desire for a more uniform approach to their drafting. This occurred in the context of a broader general concern on the part of stakeholders that the IDAS system was very heavy on process and light on producing good planning outcomes.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

New South Wales–No Shortcuts On Scope 3: High Court Puts Scope 3 Emissions Back On The Table For Resource Projects

AustraliaEnvironment

The High Court, Scope 3 GHG Emissions And What It Means For Development Applications

AustraliaEnvironment

Holding Redlich

Australia Begins Public Consultation On Draft Evaluation Statement On The Use And Introduction Of PFAS

AustraliaEnvironment

Bergeson & Campbell

Scope 3 In Scope: High Court Of Australia’s First Climate Decision Confirms Greenhouse Gas Considerations Include Scope 3 Emissions And Clarifies The Scope Of The Assessment Of Likely Impacts

AustraliaEnvironment

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Keeping Up With ESG In Australia – October 2026

AustraliaEnvironment

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

Comparative Guide

Environmental, Social and Governance

Comparative Guide

Environment

See more popular content from

Environment

EPBC Act Reforms: Consultation On Proposed Regulations To Support Final Tranche Of Reforms

Australia's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has released consultation papers outlining the regulatory framework for the final phase of environmental protection reforms under the EPBC Act. With submissions closing on 13 October 2026 and implementation scheduled for 1 December 2026, these reforms will fundamentally reshape how projects are assessed and approved, introducing streamlined pathways...

AustraliaEnvironment

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

New South Wales: Data Centre Guidelines Published

New South Wales has introduced comprehensive Data Centre Guidelines to manage the rapid growth of data centre investment while addressing resource, environmental and community impacts. The framework establishes six core principles with 17 performance measures covering energy efficiency, water usage, consumer cost protection, renewable energy commitments and community benefits.

AustraliaEnvironment

Keeping Up With ESG In Australia – October 2026

Our monthly ESG bulletin provides a targeted snapshot of key developments we see as reflecting the “must know” trends in the Australian market and, where relevant, the international market.

AustraliaEnvironment

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

EU Commission Publishes The Risk Classification Under The EUDR

On May 22, 2025, the EU Commission adopted an implementing regulation to the EU's Deforestation Regulation ("EUDR") in which it identified the risk classification of countries...

GlobalEnvironment

A New Climate For Financial Reporting: Mandatory Sustainability Disclosure Obligations

Australia's mandatory climate-related disclosure regime requires certain companies to prepare sustainability reports alongside financial reports starting from 2025.

AustraliaEnvironment

Coleman Greig Lawyers

Noise restrictions in NSW

Noise restrictions are regulations or laws that limit the amount of noise in a specific area or at a specific time.

AustraliaEnvironment

Corrs High Vis: Episode 62 - Power, Planning & Data Centres - Inside NSW’s New Guidelines (Podcast)

The NSW Government has released a comprehensive data centre policy framework establishing new guidelines for electricity network connections, planning approvals, and environmental standards. These reforms require data centres to contribute to network infrastructure costs, procure renewable energy, and demonstrate demand flexibility while offering streamlined approval pathways for compliant projects.

AustraliaEnvironment

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Amendments To Facilitate Project Delivery In Queensland

The State Development and Public Works Organisation (Critical Minerals) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 (the Bill) has passed the Queensland Parliament.

AustraliaEnvironment

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

New South Wales–No Shortcuts On Scope 3: High Court Puts Scope 3 Emissions Back On The Table For Resource Projects

The High Court of Australia has ruled that NSW planning authorities must consider Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions when assessing resource and energy development applications. In a landmark 3:2 decision, the Court invalidated approval for the Mount Pleasant coal mine extension, establishing that consent authorities cannot fulfill their climate change obligations by examining only Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.

AustraliaEnvironment

UN Special Rapporteur On The Human Right To A Clean, Healthy, And Sustainable Environment Intervenes In Proceedings In An Australian First

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment has made history by intervening in Australian Federal Court proceedings challenging the extension of Woodside's North West Shelf gas project until 2070. The intervention raises critical questions about how international environmental law obligations should inform the interpretation of Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, particularly regarding climate change impacts and heritage

AustraliaEnvironment