Darling Downs Environment Council

MEDIA RELEASE:
Darling Downs Environment Council Urges Toowoomba Regional Council to Follow through on Successful TLPI Motion to Strengthen Tree Protections

Monday 25th of November 2024

The Darling Downs Environment Council (DDEC) is calling on Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) to engage and collaborate to ensure the long-term protection of trees in the region. While we welcome TRC’s recent vote to establish a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to protect significant ecological areas, we are concerned that gaps in the planning code and mapping may undermine its effectiveness. We are also concerned that unlike all other councils in the SEQ, TRC do not yet have a model to protect individual mature trees that fall outside mapped areas of ecological significance.

Our latest report, “Protecting Individual Mature Trees in the Toowoomba Region,” outlines actionable recommendations to address these issues and highlights how other local governments in South East Queensland (SEQ) are successfully safeguarding individual mature trees through clear policies and collaborative approaches. The report is attached and also available online here: https://www.ddec.org.au/report_release_protecting_significant_trees_in_the_toowoomba_region 

DDEC is requesting regular meetings with TRC councillors and the planning team (just as property developers in the monthly DIRG meetings) to discuss the issues and ensure that the TLPI is implemented with integrity with its intention. 

Key Concerns and Recommendations in Implementing the TLPI and Protecting all Trees:

1. Protecting Individual Trees: Unlike other SEQ councils, TRC lacks specific mechanisms to protect individual mature trees that are outside designated significant ecological areas. Mature trees provide vital habitat, mitigate urban heat, and enhance community wellbeing.

2. Closing Loopholes in Planning Codes to ensure the TLPI works: Current loopholes in the Environmental Significance Overlay Code allow unnecessary vegetation clearing and reduce accountability for preserving ecologically significant areas.

3. Updating Ecological Mapping: Outdated mapping underrepresents the region's valuable environmental assets. Updated and accurate mapping is essential for informed planning decisions. Outdated mapping means local wildlife, including koalas, are evicted or left to die.

“We applaud TRC for taking steps to protect our region's trees through the new TLPI,” said Ahri Tallon, Coordinator of DDEC. “However, to truly achieve its goals, we need to address gaps in the planning framework and work together to safeguard not only significant areas but also individual trees that are critical to our environment and communities.”

“We know there is huge community support for the council to do a high-quality finish in implementing the TLPI by ensuring that mapping and planning loopholes are ironed out and the public’s wish for trees to be protected from inappropriate development is fulfilled” said Mr Tallon. 

Protecting mature trees is not only an environmental priority but also a key element in fostering a sense of place and connection to the natural heritage of the Darling Downs. DDEC urges TRC to join us in creating robust protections that will ensure the ecological and cultural value of all significant trees are preserved for generations to come.