Introduction
Queensland is stepping into a new era of environmental planning, with bioregional planning set to shape how future developments are assessed and approved. Sparked by the 2021 Independent Review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) led by Professor Graeme Samuel AC, this approach aims to give industries more certainty while improving environmental protection.
For developers, planners, infrastructure providers, and resource companies, getting familiar with bioregional planning and preparing for its implementation is becoming crucial to ensure project approvals go smoothly.
What Is Bioregional Planning?
Bioregional planning takes a broader look at the environment, bringing together ecological, cultural, social, and economic considerations across entire landscapes. Instead of reviewing each project in isolation, it considers the combined impact of many projects and helps determine where development should be limited, where it can be managed, and where nature restoration is possible.
Some of the main features of bioregional planning include:
- Evaluating the collective impacts on Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES).
- Providing guidance on better outcomes for MNES.
- Creating systems for governance and monitoring.
- Using modern biodiversity mapping tools to support smarter decision-making.
It’s important to note that while bioregional plans won’t replace the need for project-specific assessments under the EPBC Act, they will offer guidance for both regulators and developers.
Queensland’s Pilot Locations
The government is testing bioregional planning in three areas across Queensland:
- South-East Queensland – targeting urban growth in Potential Future Growth Areas (PFGAs).
- Northern Queensland – focusing on wind energy projects near Collinsville.
- North-Western Queensland – concentrating on mineral mining around Julia Creek and Richmond.
These pilot areas reflect Queensland’s most active development and resource regions, where balancing growth with environmental protection is considered particularly important.
Timeline and Implementation
The pilot plans are being rolled out in stages:
- Mid-2025 – Stakeholder discussions to identify key values and visions.
- Late-2025 – Feedback on draft guidance and impact reduction strategies.
- Early-2026 – Public consultation on draft plans.
- Mid-2026 – Final plans to be approved under Section 176 of the EPBC Act.
These plans will continue to evolve as more information becomes available, and they could shape how projects are evaluated in the future.
What It Means for Industry
Bioregional planning offers both advantages and challenges for Queensland’s developers and resource sectors:
- Better clarity on where projects are most likely to be approved.
- Early awareness of risks to MNES and biodiversity.
- Stronger alignment with government and environmental goals.
- Lower investment risk by steering clear of high-conflict areas.
- An additional layer of non-regulatory ‘information’ to consider in project planning and approvals work
It is important to note that the bioregional plans are pilot projects only and are not intended to regulatory. The plans will be guidance material only and accordingly will not replace or streamline assessment requirements under the EPBC Act.
New Ground’s Involvement
New Ground’s Director, Nelson Wills, was invited by the Queensland Government to join a workshop of technical experts contributing to the South-East Queensland bioregional planning process. We are pleased to participate in this initiative, ensuring that industry perspectives are represented while contributing technical expertise to support balanced and practical outcomes.
Get in touch with Nelson Wills (nwills@newground.com.au) from New Ground should you want to discuss how these reforms could influence your project.
More information on the bioregional planning process can be found at https://environment.qld.gov.au/management/planning-guidelines/bioregional-planning
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is sourced from publicly available documents and resources. New Ground strive to ensure the content is accurate and up to date, however amendments or updates may occur. For the most up to date information, please refer to the links provided.