BREC Fundamental Issues Paper to the Qld State Govt Regional Open Space System (ROSS) Review Committee

ROSS or RGSS?

• BREC supports a regional green space system (RGSS)
• A green space system is principally based on both ecological and visual amenity uses. Open space definitions contain mutually contradictory uses such as recreation and preservation uses. The disconnection of the green space from open space will help allay legitimate concerns by landholders about public access.
• The ecological uses can encompass water quality and quantity, landscape protection, Flood plain management, local climate protection, ecosystem protection, materials cycling, habitat protection for specific flora or fauna, protection of areas of soil formation, slope protection among others.
• To be effective in maintaining ecological process and ecosystems the RGSS must have an almost perpetuity[geological time frame]. The critical key period however will be the next 10 - 20 years.
• The RGSS should encompass all lands of Greenspace value be they on private or public land.
• The RGSS should maximise the connectivity of lands within it.
• The RGSS elements should have favourable perimeter to area ratios.
• The RGSS should identify and protect lands for rehabilitation / restoration.
• Overall the RGSS should cover at least 1/3 of land area and preserve at least 1/3 of all original area ecosystems identified in SEQ.
• The RGSS should be embedded in the Strategic Plans, Town Plans and other guidelines of all local authorities. [ + Lands Act Reserve or (P + D) for buffers] The state government should subsidise the development of the necessary inclusions and amendments. The state government could develop a SPP on RGSS regarding guidlelines, instruments and institutional structures.
• The SEQROC and a community stakeholders group should be used to coordinate RGSS planning and implementation. Objectives can be achieved by a mixture of incentives, regulations or Voluntary agreements and if necessary acquisition for key core habitat and land bridges.
• Where landholders have had their current uses restricted LGA's should make town planning provisions for farm based tourism and other small scale ventures to take advantage of the change in use, while still preserving the rural nature.
• The GIS for the RGSS should be developed by the ROSS unit in conjunction with SEQROC and key stakeholders. The GIS should be portable to LGA information systems.

Michael Petter
Convenor Brisbane Region Environment Centre