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Feb 2009 - A Quandary of Offsets

Date: Thursday 26 February 2009
Time: 1.30pm - 6.00pm (registration from 1pm, networking from 5-6pm)
Venue: Lawson Room, Novotel Brisbane, 200 Creek Street, Brisbane.

Offsets are a widely accepted mitigation measure for unavoidable clearing of vegetation and habitat to protect and enhance biodiversity in Queensland. Now enshrined in State government policies, infrastructure providers, developers and others are required to provide direct or indirect offsets as part of the Development Approval process.

But are offsets the answer to protecting biodiversity? And how do the various policies work to achieve this?

This forum explored the underlying principles of offsets as well as the "nuts and bolts" of the policies as they apply to projects undergoing Development Approval. Speakers from State Government agencies NRW and DPIF discussed application of the policies. Case studies and special guest speakers Prof Tor Hundloe and Prof Hugh Possingham highlighted some of the early experiences in applying offsets policies in Queensland.

Policies covered include:

  • Whole of Government Offsets policy
  • Policy for Vegetation Management Offsets (Natural Resources and Water)
  • Mitigation and Compensation for Works or Activities Causing Marine Fish Habitat Loss (Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries)

Attendees at this forum:

  • Explored the role of offsets in protecting and enhancing biodiversity
  • Gained a strengthen understanding of individual policies, how they are applied and the tools available
  • Learnt how to better address the various policies in the project cycle, particularly the Development Approval process
  • Discussed issues with speakers and fellow environmental professionals

Speakers Included (click on the underlined names to download the presentations):

  • Dan Mayer and Melissa Dixon, Manager Planning and Assessment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Industry Devment, DPI&F - fish habitat and marine plants
  • Jennifer Armstrong, Principal Project Officer Vegetation Management, NRM
  • Andrew Franks, Senior Ecologist, GHD
  • Prof Tor Hundloe, Bond University
  • Prof Hugh Possingham, University of Queensland

The EPA Draft policy for biodiversity offsets was not discussed at this event due to the government being placed in caretaker mode due to the election.