MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday 1st of September 2025
“Bioregional Planning Must Be Built on Real Science and Real Protections,” says Regional Conservation Groups
Toowoomba, QLD — The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC), Mackay Conservation Group, Gecko Environment Council (Gold Coast), Capricorn Conservation Council is calling for urgent improvements to Queensland’s bioregional planning process following the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s (DETSI) briefing last week on pilot plans for regional development and conservation.
“Bioregional planning has the potential to deliver real protection for Queensland’s natural environment,” said Ahri Tallon, Coordinator of DDEC. “But without accurate, independent ecological data, we risk drawing the wrong lines on the map—and losing what we can’t replace.”
Bioregional planning was envisioned as an important way to protect important habitat and agricultural land from the consequences of an inadequate EPBC Act, rapid urban development and ongoing land use conflicts with the mining and energy industries.
The groups support the creation of “go” and “no-go” zones to protect areas of high biodiversity and important farmland, but are alarmed by the lack of comprehensive ecological data backing current proposals.
“The State and Federal Governments must urgently fund the research needed to fill major data gaps. Right now, DETSI has admitted they are not undertaking any new ecological surveys—and that’s a problem,” Tallon said.
Community and environmental groups are increasingly concerned about how much of the mapping for these plans relies on industry-generated data, often produced by consultants with a vested interest in delivering results that facilitate project approvals.
“If we want credible planning, the data can’t be coming from consultants paid by the developers,” said Tallon. “We’re calling on the State Government to manage these ecological assessments independently, by taking funds from industry and commissioning consultants at arm’s length. That’s how you ensure the data has integrity.”
The Darling Downs, part of the Eastern Brigalow Belt, is a key area identified for renewable energy and infrastructure growth under bioregional planning. But it’s also home to some of the state’s most fertile farmland and unique remnant ecosystems.
“Planning for the future must be science-led, community-informed, and not driven by what suits the fossil fuel or energy developers best. We need to get this right—not just for today’s projects, but for future generations.”
Mackay Conservation Group’s area includes the Collinsville Wind Farm Bioregional Planning Pilot area. Mackay Conservation Group Coordinator, Emma Barrett, agrees that the planning is important, but enforcement needs to be in place.
“Our country has one of the highest rates of biodiversity loss in the world. Queensland’s unique animals and natural places need protection with stronger laws. These pilot programs will identify places of high-biodiversity, but it will be a missed opportunity if we don’t protect those areas with legislation and “no-go” zones. This current setup would only require the Federal Environment Minister to take the planning into consideration”
For interviews and further comment:
Ahri Tallon
Coordinator, Darling Downs Environment Council
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