In recent months the collective known as the Douglas Shire Sustainability Group (DSSG) has been a talking point around the region. Most notably DSSG is known, through a court appeal, for playing a key role in the much discussed North Break wave park, from progressing.

Just weeks ago, DSSG, with other appellants launched a new appeal, this time to block the DSC approved Morris Aviation helipad development from being built. In recent weeks many readers have reached out to Newsport in a bid to have their questions answered relating to the DSSG.

NP: Newsport
DSSG: Douglas Shire Sustainability group

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NP: Among other things DSSG claims it was established in 2005 as an environmental advocacy group to protect the environment of the Douglas Shire and to promote ‘sustainable’ development.
Why then, if this is genuinely your charter are you continually objecting and appealing DA’s and projects that could directly help with the ‘economic sustainability’, growth and development of the Douglas Shire?

DSSG: Through the use of words like “claims” and “genuinely”, this question is offensive and aggressive and imputes bad character.
…DSSG is not ‘continually’ objecting and appealing’. Since 2005, on behalf of our members, DSSG has made objection to four development applications through the proper processes required by the Douglas Shire Council.
DSSG has opposed these developments on the basis that they are inconsistent with the Shire’s planning scheme – which is about planned and orderly development - and fail to appropriately consider the environmental and community impacts of the development. They do not represent social, economic and environmental balance.

NP: DSSG, as a collective you’ve been labelled everything from ‘regressive nutbags’ to ‘green extremists’, who through your appeals and protests continue to play a direct role in the stagnation of the growth of the Douglas Shire.
To ensure the future of small local businesses, to ensure our youth have jobs, to ensure our region prospers for many years to come why specifically did you and have you appealed major developments like the wave park, and now the Morris Aviation helipad DA?
Are these appeals and protests driven by personal agendas and vendettas or do you 100% believe what you’re doing is for the betterment of the Douglas Shire community and region for the long term?

DSSG: This is an offensive and aggressive question, which imputes bad character. DSSG refutes emphatically the proposition that in appealing against development approvals, properly made as of right, it is motivated by ‘personal agendas and vendettas’.

Since 2005, on behalf of our members, DSSG has made objection to four development applications through the proper processes required by the Douglas Shire Council. DSSG has opposed these developments on the basis that they are inconsistent with the Shire’s planning scheme – which is about planned and orderly development - and fail to appropriately consider the environmental and community impacts of the development. They do not represent social, economic and environmental balance.

The appeal against the wave park resort development at Mowbray revealed that the assessment by Council was inadequate.

For example, court experts for both the developer and DSSG jointly agreed that the report prepared for the flood risk assessment was not-fit-for purpose. Further, there was no hydraulic or network analyses to determine whether the water supply and sewerage demands of the site could be met by Council’s existing infrastructure.

Council’s approval was not supported by modelling. DSSG was vindicated in its concerns that this was not an appropriate development for that location. DSSG was the lead appellant of a total of four appellants.
The appeal against the helicopter base on the Inlet at Port Douglas is grounded in our view that the noise assessment and marine ecology impacts has not been adequately assessed. In addition, this is not an appropriate land use – not in compliance with the planning scheme. DSSG is the lead appellant of a total of 16 appellants.

NP: One of the questions I get asked a lot is about the members that sit on the DSSG committee. Tell us more about your members i.e Didge McDonald, Neil Hewett, Mike Berwick, Hugh Spencer and Michael Parsons and what they’re each doing in an ongoing manner to ensure economic sustainability in our Shire?

DSSG: It is not the role of Douglas Shire Sustainability Group Inc, as in incorporated body under the Associations Act (Qld), to comment on any individual member. You might choose to contact these individuals with your question.

NP: In addition to that, another enquiry I regularly receive is around the Douglas News Network and the DSSG’s direct link to the establishment of this news blog. Who specifically created it, who operates it and what is the main purpose of it?

DSSG: Douglas Shire Sustainability Group Inc, as an incorporated body under the Incorporations Act (Qld), has no direct link to Douglas News Network. It is not our role to comment on Douglas News Network. You might choose to contact Douglas News Network directly with your question.

NP: What’s your message to our readers and the people of the Douglas region who say and genuinely believe that as a group you are taking the Shire backwards with your ongoing opposition to major developments and that you are harming and affecting the long-term growth, viability and sustainability of Douglas and its surrounds?

DSSG: DSSG rejects the premise of your question. DSSG members believe that it is the quality of our landscapes and our natural environment which provides the major economic basis for the Shire. This beautiful natural environment and its economic value is protected by orderly and ecologically sustainable development.
We hope the appeal process and outcomes sends a strong message to Council and developers that the community will not passively stand by when they believe development impacts have not been appropriately assessed; or when decisions are made contrary to the principles and practices of ecologically sustainable development.
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DSSG STATEMENT

In addition, DSSG submitted an unrequested statement to Newsport that includes future advice for Douglas Shire Council. The unprompted submission has been edited for clarity, relevance and brevity purposes.

“On behalf of its members, DSSG has lodged submissions opposing only four development applications in the Douglas Shire - a resort on Port Douglas Road, a helicopter base at Mowbray, a resort and wave park at Mowbray and a helicopter base on the inlet at Port Douglas.

“DSSG opposes these developments on the basis that they are inconsistent with the Shire’s planning scheme – which is about planned and orderly development - and fail to appropriately consider the environmental and community impacts of the development.

“We successfully appealed against the decision to approve a Wave Park resort development at Mowbray, including on the basis of inadequate assessment of coastal hazards, and impacts on the shire’s water supply and sewerage infrastructure.

“We have now appealed the decision to approve a helicopter base on the inlet at Port Douglas. On the basis that we believe the noise assessment and marine ecology impacts has not been adequately assessed. In addition, this is not an appropriate land use – not in compliance with the Planning Scheme.

“DSSG is not anti-development. We are about sustainable development - development in line with promoting and conserving our region’s globally unique natural and cultural values.

“We hope the appeal process sends a strong message to Council and developers that the community will not passively stand by when they believe development impacts have not been appropriately assessed; or when decisions are made contrary to the principles and practices of sustainable development.”