A State Government strategy to manage natural resources in South East Queensland has won a prestigous national planning award.

The South East Queensland Natural Resources Management Plan 2009-2031 has won the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) national award for planning excellence in the regional planning category.

The plan addresses strategic environmental issues including population growth, climate change, new infrastructure, housing, and services.

Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson it was developed in collaboration with state and local governments, non-government organisations, traditional owners and natural resource management groups.
 
“This plan coordinates the efforts of environment workers and natural resource management groups to guide sustainable development,” Mr Robertson said.

“The targets in the plan raise the level of sophistication in the planning discipline by providing measurable performance indicators.

“This achievement is made more significant as the targets have been agreed on by all major contributors and will form the basis for making and implementing decisions to develop, maintain or protect land, water, vegetation and ecosystems.”

Mr Robertson said acknowledged the contribution of the Department of Environment and Resource Management in the planning process.

“Staff provided considerable resources and expertise to assist in the development of the plan and more than 1000 people were consulted in the development phase,” he said.