YSPG aims to: 

 

• Identify key stakeholders in the development processes that apply to Magnetic Island.

• Provide an effective forum for communication and engagement between the community, Townsville City Council, government departments, commercial providers, and technical experts with open, transparent, and constructive dialogue.

• Improve knowledge and understanding of community sustainable planning needs, as well as promote participation by the community in sustainable development planning solutions.

• Collate publicly available information to understand the planning process and how that relates to the Island community’s sustainable planning needs.

• Take into consideration the federal government’s EPBC Act Policy statement 5.1. (see notation).

 

Short Term Objectives 2023/2024

 

Liaise with stakeholders, including Townsville Council to have the Island’s World Heritage values, village environment, carbon reduction strategies and sustainable planning needs and aims, included in any planning law review with a specific focus of Magnetic Island’s unique topography, geology and proximity to marine and land national parks and conservation zones. 

 

Long term Objectives: 

 

• Develop a roadmap for implementing a sustainable development framework, including sustainable building aspirations, for the community to meet the Island’s current and future needs.

• In partnership with the community, implement the sustainable development planning framework for the Island.

 

As part of its charter the Group shall work to address the following issues as identified by the federal government in the EPBC Act Policy statement 5.1: as follows: 

​

Magnetic Island is experiencing significant development pressures. Much of this pressure is centred on the lowland and coastal areas of the Island. Key threats include:

​

• Land clearing.

• Habitat degradation and fragmentation.

• Poor water quality - for example, elevated nutrients and sediment concentrations from land-based erosion, dredging, run-off and waste discharge.

• Marine debris and litter.

• Introduction of exotic plants and animals.

• Increased human presence - for example, disturbance of sea turtle and bird nesting sites through noise, direct harassment, inappropriate lighting and increasing vessel traffic.

 

Relevant documents for further reading:
 

• EPBC Policy 5.1 Region Magnetic Island (2010)

• 1989 Magnetic Island Management Plan

• QPWS Management Report for Magnetic Island 

• TCC: Local Area Information Sheet for Magnetic Island 2020