Urban Lands

Urban land use has the potential to impact significantly on the natural environment, both through development on the land and expansion of urban development onto good quality agricultural land or land with environmental significance.

The Johnstone Shire Planning Scheme (1997) recognises the need to protect environmental and agricultural values of the land resource in our Shire. Objectives stated in the planning scheme include:

•   Protection of habitat.
•   Protection of good quality agricultural land.
•   Ensure a steady supply of land development for urban use.

Significant environmental pressures which result from urban development include greenhouse emissions, discharges to surface and ground water, waste disposal (both solid and liquid) and acid sulphate soils.

Source: Community Revegetation Unit

Atmosphere: There is no available information on discharges to atmosphere, or atmospheric quality for the Shire. The resources and cost to implement a Cities for Climate Protection Program in a rural based Shire are not warranted by possible benefits.

Surface Waters: A report on the Johnstone River catchment indicates that sediment runoff from urban areas is similar to natural rainforest, and nutrient runoff from unsewered areas is significant and needs addressing.

Ground Waters: Investigations in the Mission Beach area show significant adverse impact on groundwater from domestic septic systems. Similar results may be obtained from investigation in other non-sewered village areas.

Floodplain Management: The possibility of exposure of acid sulphate soils is an issue which has to be addressed when considering areas suitable for future urban expansion.

Waste Management: Former landfill sites were not remediated and may be causing environmental harm. Council is currently investigating those sites. New waste disposal facilities and strategies emphasise waste reduction and separation.

People and Groups that Care

Several Natural Resource Management Groups were operating in the Shire in the year 2000. The main groups operating in the Shire include:

•   Johnstone Region Landcare
•   Barramundi Action Group (BAG)
•   Johnstone River Catchment Management Association