In the lead up to the coming Queensland Election, the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) urges political parties to do more to facilitate better management of the environment, evidence-based decisions and the role of suitably qualified and experienced environmental practitioners.

The challenges of an expanding global population and the increasing need to reshape the land and sea scapes to meet energy demand, land for agriculture, horticulture and grazing, access to water, and natural resources for export, are placing increasing pressures on environmental resources in Queensland.  Priority should be given to the management of the impacts of population growth and resource use, through the wise use of Queensland’s natural capital, and the development of communities, industries and infrastructure on a sustainable basis.

As the peak professional body for environmental practitioners in Australia and New Zealand, the EIANZ recognises the links between a healthy environment, a healthy economy, and the wellbeing of current and future generations of Queenslanders.  These will continue to be the important pillars for a sustainable Queensland community.

Through knowledge, innovation and effective collaboration, experienced environmental practitioners apply science to the development of good policy and implementation of good practice environmental management.

They apply modern technologies and management systems to care for our environment so that it can continue to provide the ecosystem services on which humanity depends.

In industry, community, research, education and public service, environmental practitioners apply their special skills, knowledge and expertise to protecting environmental values through ecologically sustainable development.  These environmental services will become more important into the future, to ensure Queensland continues to balance growth/opportunity and conservation.

Read the full statement here →