New TLPI brings mixed results for Ipswich
10 December 2021
A new Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) released today by the Queensland Government has introduced tough new provisions around the regulation of energy from waste activities in Ipswich.
Today’s announcement will see two previous TLPIs replaced by one instrument to regulate waste activities in Swanbank, New Chum, Ebenezer, Willowbank and Jeebropilly.
Ipswich Mayor and Chairperson of the Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Teresa Harding said the State’s strong stance on energy from waste was a significant win for council and the community.
“The Deputy Premier has acknowledged the concerns and strong objections from the Ipswich community around energy from waste, and significantly boosted protections to ensure residential areas will not be negatively impacted by these activities,” Mayor Harding said.
“This TLPI clearly outlines that proposals for energy from waste activities should be no closer than five kilometres to a residential area or a tourism or motorsport precinct.
“This is a good start and I know this announcement will bring some relief to our residents. Council will continue to raise our concerns and the community’s concerns about energy from waste in Ipswich.”
Council endorsed its own TLPI at an Ordinary Meeting on 18 November 2021. However, Planning Minister and Deputy Premier Steven Miles exercised his powers under the Planning Act to instead make a Minister’s TLPI.
While the State’s TLPI strengthened provisions around energy from waste activities, it softened council’s proposal to implement stronger controls around landfill activities in Ebenezer, Willowbank and Jeebropilly.
“The new Ipswich City Council continues to take a future-focused approach to waste, where we embrace recycling and resource recovery but continue to oppose the establishment of new landfill in our city,” Mayor Harding said.
“Council pushed for stronger controls around the creation of new landfill in in Ebenezer, Willowbank and Jeebropilly to bring these areas in line with Swanbank and New Chum.
“Our community has spoken – we seek the highest level of regulation and control on waste issues which negatively impact our community.
“Council will now look to the development of the new Ipswich Planning Scheme to continue its work towards better waste outcomes for the city of Ipswich and its residents.”
A TLPI deals with a specific and often localised planning issue and is intended to give a local government time to incorporate the TLPI changes into its planning scheme.
First established in 2018 and continued in 2020, then Planning Minister Cameron Dick and the Ipswich City Council introduced two TLPIs to regulate waste activities and protect the community. These were due to expire in 2022.