Latest news with #QueenslandHeritageandNatureConservationActs
The Advertiser
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Games get the tick, renewables the stick under new laws
The construction of 2032 Olympic venues will be fast-tracked, and renewable energy projects will face greater scrutiny, after a state parliament passed a controversial bill. Queensland's Liberal National government rammed through laws late on Thursday that will see Brisbane 2032 venues exempt from local planning laws. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. The Games infrastructure authority, tasked with orchestrating the construction of venues, will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. Final planning sign-off will fall to the state government for all venues and athletes' villages, not local councils. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the bill is about getting on with the job and delivering the 2032 Games. "Queenslanders have put trust in the Crisafulli government and we will get on with the job," he told parliament. "We are ending the inertia plaguing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and getting the games back on track after 1,200 days of chaos and crisis from those opposite." The bill was subject to committee scrutiny, where stakeholders claimed it would set a dangerous precedent for future planning and energy infrastructure projects across Queensland. Renewable energy developers will need to undertake community consultation prior to project approvals under the legislation. Opposition leader Steven Miles labelled the bill a disaster soaked in ideology. "It's a smoke screen. It is ideological zealotry from a party that has always hated renewables," he told parliament. "Under the premier's leadership, the LNP has no energy road-map, no modelling and no plan, just roadblocks, confusion and chaos. "Queenslanders are getting an LNP ideology masquerading as policy." Greens MP Michael Berkman inferred the bill is taking Queensland back to the era under former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, beginning his submission on the laws with "Here we Joh again". "There's one promise that the LNP is clearly determined to keep, and that's taking us backwards on renewable energy," he said. "This bill rule results in stricter regulatory requirements for a two-hectare solar farm than for a coal mine that extracts any less than two million tons per annum of coal." But government MPs rejected any criticism of the bill. "We're not afraid to say coal on this side of the chamber," Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said. Hervey Bay MP David Lee queried how "Labor members would think about wind or solar farms in their city electorates." Budget papers on Tuesday locked in the LNP's pre-election promise to scrap targets from the former Labor government's renewable energy goals in the energy power grid. Those were 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. The state will no longer track how much renewable energy is contributing to the grid, calling it a "discontinued measure". Wind, solar and hydro projects accounted for more than a quarter of the state's power in 2024/25 while coal contributed nearly 65 per cent, with the remainder supplied from gas. After the government budget was delivered earlier this week with a record $205 billion debt weighing down the bottom line, the state opposition will deliver its response on Thursday. The construction of 2032 Olympic venues will be fast-tracked, and renewable energy projects will face greater scrutiny, after a state parliament passed a controversial bill. Queensland's Liberal National government rammed through laws late on Thursday that will see Brisbane 2032 venues exempt from local planning laws. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. The Games infrastructure authority, tasked with orchestrating the construction of venues, will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. Final planning sign-off will fall to the state government for all venues and athletes' villages, not local councils. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the bill is about getting on with the job and delivering the 2032 Games. "Queenslanders have put trust in the Crisafulli government and we will get on with the job," he told parliament. "We are ending the inertia plaguing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and getting the games back on track after 1,200 days of chaos and crisis from those opposite." The bill was subject to committee scrutiny, where stakeholders claimed it would set a dangerous precedent for future planning and energy infrastructure projects across Queensland. Renewable energy developers will need to undertake community consultation prior to project approvals under the legislation. Opposition leader Steven Miles labelled the bill a disaster soaked in ideology. "It's a smoke screen. It is ideological zealotry from a party that has always hated renewables," he told parliament. "Under the premier's leadership, the LNP has no energy road-map, no modelling and no plan, just roadblocks, confusion and chaos. "Queenslanders are getting an LNP ideology masquerading as policy." Greens MP Michael Berkman inferred the bill is taking Queensland back to the era under former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, beginning his submission on the laws with "Here we Joh again". "There's one promise that the LNP is clearly determined to keep, and that's taking us backwards on renewable energy," he said. "This bill rule results in stricter regulatory requirements for a two-hectare solar farm than for a coal mine that extracts any less than two million tons per annum of coal." But government MPs rejected any criticism of the bill. "We're not afraid to say coal on this side of the chamber," Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said. Hervey Bay MP David Lee queried how "Labor members would think about wind or solar farms in their city electorates." Budget papers on Tuesday locked in the LNP's pre-election promise to scrap targets from the former Labor government's renewable energy goals in the energy power grid. Those were 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. The state will no longer track how much renewable energy is contributing to the grid, calling it a "discontinued measure". Wind, solar and hydro projects accounted for more than a quarter of the state's power in 2024/25 while coal contributed nearly 65 per cent, with the remainder supplied from gas. After the government budget was delivered earlier this week with a record $205 billion debt weighing down the bottom line, the state opposition will deliver its response on Thursday. The construction of 2032 Olympic venues will be fast-tracked, and renewable energy projects will face greater scrutiny, after a state parliament passed a controversial bill. Queensland's Liberal National government rammed through laws late on Thursday that will see Brisbane 2032 venues exempt from local planning laws. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. The Games infrastructure authority, tasked with orchestrating the construction of venues, will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. Final planning sign-off will fall to the state government for all venues and athletes' villages, not local councils. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the bill is about getting on with the job and delivering the 2032 Games. "Queenslanders have put trust in the Crisafulli government and we will get on with the job," he told parliament. "We are ending the inertia plaguing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and getting the games back on track after 1,200 days of chaos and crisis from those opposite." The bill was subject to committee scrutiny, where stakeholders claimed it would set a dangerous precedent for future planning and energy infrastructure projects across Queensland. Renewable energy developers will need to undertake community consultation prior to project approvals under the legislation. Opposition leader Steven Miles labelled the bill a disaster soaked in ideology. "It's a smoke screen. It is ideological zealotry from a party that has always hated renewables," he told parliament. "Under the premier's leadership, the LNP has no energy road-map, no modelling and no plan, just roadblocks, confusion and chaos. "Queenslanders are getting an LNP ideology masquerading as policy." Greens MP Michael Berkman inferred the bill is taking Queensland back to the era under former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, beginning his submission on the laws with "Here we Joh again". "There's one promise that the LNP is clearly determined to keep, and that's taking us backwards on renewable energy," he said. "This bill rule results in stricter regulatory requirements for a two-hectare solar farm than for a coal mine that extracts any less than two million tons per annum of coal." But government MPs rejected any criticism of the bill. "We're not afraid to say coal on this side of the chamber," Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said. Hervey Bay MP David Lee queried how "Labor members would think about wind or solar farms in their city electorates." Budget papers on Tuesday locked in the LNP's pre-election promise to scrap targets from the former Labor government's renewable energy goals in the energy power grid. Those were 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. The state will no longer track how much renewable energy is contributing to the grid, calling it a "discontinued measure". Wind, solar and hydro projects accounted for more than a quarter of the state's power in 2024/25 while coal contributed nearly 65 per cent, with the remainder supplied from gas. After the government budget was delivered earlier this week with a record $205 billion debt weighing down the bottom line, the state opposition will deliver its response on Thursday. The construction of 2032 Olympic venues will be fast-tracked, and renewable energy projects will face greater scrutiny, after a state parliament passed a controversial bill. Queensland's Liberal National government rammed through laws late on Thursday that will see Brisbane 2032 venues exempt from local planning laws. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. The Games infrastructure authority, tasked with orchestrating the construction of venues, will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. Final planning sign-off will fall to the state government for all venues and athletes' villages, not local councils. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the bill is about getting on with the job and delivering the 2032 Games. "Queenslanders have put trust in the Crisafulli government and we will get on with the job," he told parliament. "We are ending the inertia plaguing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and getting the games back on track after 1,200 days of chaos and crisis from those opposite." The bill was subject to committee scrutiny, where stakeholders claimed it would set a dangerous precedent for future planning and energy infrastructure projects across Queensland. Renewable energy developers will need to undertake community consultation prior to project approvals under the legislation. Opposition leader Steven Miles labelled the bill a disaster soaked in ideology. "It's a smoke screen. It is ideological zealotry from a party that has always hated renewables," he told parliament. "Under the premier's leadership, the LNP has no energy road-map, no modelling and no plan, just roadblocks, confusion and chaos. "Queenslanders are getting an LNP ideology masquerading as policy." Greens MP Michael Berkman inferred the bill is taking Queensland back to the era under former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, beginning his submission on the laws with "Here we Joh again". "There's one promise that the LNP is clearly determined to keep, and that's taking us backwards on renewable energy," he said. "This bill rule results in stricter regulatory requirements for a two-hectare solar farm than for a coal mine that extracts any less than two million tons per annum of coal." But government MPs rejected any criticism of the bill. "We're not afraid to say coal on this side of the chamber," Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said. Hervey Bay MP David Lee queried how "Labor members would think about wind or solar farms in their city electorates." Budget papers on Tuesday locked in the LNP's pre-election promise to scrap targets from the former Labor government's renewable energy goals in the energy power grid. Those were 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. The state will no longer track how much renewable energy is contributing to the grid, calling it a "discontinued measure". Wind, solar and hydro projects accounted for more than a quarter of the state's power in 2024/25 while coal contributed nearly 65 per cent, with the remainder supplied from gas. After the government budget was delivered earlier this week with a record $205 billion debt weighing down the bottom line, the state opposition will deliver its response on Thursday.
Perth Now
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Games get the tick, renewables the stick under new laws
The construction of 2032 Olympic venues will be fast-tracked, and renewable energy projects will face greater scrutiny, after a state parliament passed a controversial bill. Queensland's Liberal National government rammed through laws late on Thursday that will see Brisbane 2032 venues exempt from local planning laws. Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. The Games infrastructure authority, tasked with orchestrating the construction of venues, will not be subject to 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. Final planning sign-off will fall to the state government for all venues and athletes' villages, not local councils. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the bill is about getting on with the job and delivering the 2032 Games. "Queenslanders have put trust in the Crisafulli government and we will get on with the job," he told parliament. "We are ending the inertia plaguing the Olympic and Paralympic Games and getting the games back on track after 1,200 days of chaos and crisis from those opposite." The bill was subject to committee scrutiny, where stakeholders claimed it would set a dangerous precedent for future planning and energy infrastructure projects across Queensland. Renewable energy developers will need to undertake community consultation prior to project approvals under the legislation. Opposition leader Steven Miles labelled the bill a disaster soaked in ideology. "It's a smoke screen. It is ideological zealotry from a party that has always hated renewables," he told parliament. "Under the premier's leadership, the LNP has no energy road-map, no modelling and no plan, just roadblocks, confusion and chaos. "Queenslanders are getting an LNP ideology masquerading as policy." Greens MP Michael Berkman inferred the bill is taking Queensland back to the era under former premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen, beginning his submission on the laws with "Here we Joh again". "There's one promise that the LNP is clearly determined to keep, and that's taking us backwards on renewable energy," he said. "This bill rule results in stricter regulatory requirements for a two-hectare solar farm than for a coal mine that extracts any less than two million tons per annum of coal." But government MPs rejected any criticism of the bill. "We're not afraid to say coal on this side of the chamber," Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said. Hervey Bay MP David Lee queried how "Labor members would think about wind or solar farms in their city electorates." Budget papers on Tuesday locked in the LNP's pre-election promise to scrap targets from the former Labor government's renewable energy goals in the energy power grid. Those were 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, 70 per cent by 2032 and 80 per cent by 2035. The state will no longer track how much renewable energy is contributing to the grid, calling it a "discontinued measure". Wind, solar and hydro projects accounted for more than a quarter of the state's power in 2024/25 while coal contributed nearly 65 per cent, with the remainder supplied from gas. After the government budget was delivered earlier this week with a record $205 billion debt weighing down the bottom line, the state opposition will deliver its response on Thursday.
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Go back to drawing board': 2032 planning laws slammed
Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year. Controversial laws set to fast track 2032 Olympic projects have come under fire, with a state government told to "go back to the drawing board". An environmental group says the laws to help ensure Games infrastructure is built on time will set a dangerous precedent, detracting from the inclusivity that 2032 organisers hope to create. The clock is ticking for the Games after the Queensland government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill has been introduced to state parliament giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. The bill will also require renewable energy developers to undertake community consultation. In submissions heard on Tuesday, the Queensland Conservation Council took aim at the government's 'blinding hypocrisy'. "It is incredibly inconsistent that this bill is trying to apply greater consultation to renewable energy projects and literally ripping up any process for community and consultation on our existing laws for Olympic facilities", the council's Dave Copeman told the hearing. "The hypocrisy is kind of blinding." Brisbane organisers have targeted inclusivity as a key pillar of the 2032 Games. But Mr Copeman claimed the laws flew in the face of that goal, saying they bypassed not only planning legislation but also First Nations people's concerns. An advocacy group is raising money for a legal challenge exploring the proposed 2032 main stadium's impact on inner-city Victoria Park, saying it will destroy a site of significance to First Nations communities. "It's going to create ... a terrible story to tell to the visitors who are coming - 'Welcome to to this great facility where we got rid of the rights of First Nations people, but we want to celebrate their culture here'," Mr Copeman said. "We've got enough time to build the facilities we need while honouring our existing laws. "I'd take your pencils out ... there's some real work for this committee to do." Louisa Bonner, the CEO of charity Ngaran Goori, said First Nations communities should be consulted about what's happening on country and how it affected them. "We feel like we're being dragged along to have to agree with something," she told the committee. "It's not that we either agree or disagree, it's just we don't have that depth of relationship or consultation or understanding around that, or even consideration." Victoria Park in Brisbane's inner-city is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. Advocacy group, Save the Victoria Park, is raising money for the legal challenge exploring the main stadium's impact on the heritage status and environment at the park, which is celebrating its 150th year.
Perth Now
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
'Clock is ticking': Olympic venues to skirt state laws
Brisbane 2032 Olympic sites will be exempt from planning laws as officials race against time to get the Games venues built. But the Queensland government's move to help ensure infrastructure is completed has come under fire, with an advocacy group describing it as a "slap in the face". The clock is ticking for the Games after the state government finally confirmed its venue blueprint in March, more than 1300 days after Brisbane was named host city. A bill will be introduced to state parliament on Thursday, giving the Games infrastructure authority power to override 15 planning laws, including the Environmental Protection, Queensland Heritage and Nature Conservation Acts. The laws covering all venues and the athletes villages are set to ensure construction is not delayed by potential legal challenges, with the final planning sign-off given to the state government - not local councils. However, advocacy group Save Victoria Park said it would still be exploring legal action against the construction of the Brisbane 2032 centrepiece. Victoria Park is expected to become the Brisbane Games hub, with a 63,000-seat main stadium and a nearby national aquatic centre set to be built. "We are outraged but not deterred by the Crisafulli government's plans," Save Victoria Park spokeswoman Rosemary O'Hagan said. "It's a slap in the face to the community and to democracy. "Save Victoria Park remains committed to protecting this precious parkland, our city's green lungs, for generations to come." The advocacy group has raised about $70,000 via GoFundMe for a legal challenge exploring the impact on the park's heritage status and environment. The group has argued Olympic venue construction would destroy valuable green space at a site of significance to First Nations communities. A major construction body has backed the bill, indicating the legislation is necessary to deliver venues on time. "We can't afford a business-as-usual, step-by-step approach" Australian Constructors Association chief executive Jon Davies told AAP. "The clock is ticking and delivery depends on co-ordinated action starting now." The state government said it did not make the decision lightly. "The overwhelming comments from Queenslanders is 'get on with it', and that's what we need to do," Olympic Minister Tim Mander said. "We've got seven years to go. We have time but we haven't got time to muck around." The bill also reduces the Games' organising committee board from 24 to 15, with the likes of golfing great Greg Norman reportedly on the chopping block. The Queensland Conservation Council also took aim at the laws, saying the bill set a "really worrying precedent". "As a general principle we should't be overruling environmental protection," the council's Dave Copeman said. "When we are doing something like the Olympics we shouldn't be taking shortcuts." He raised concerns for southeast Queensland's endangered koala population, saying the site for the Redland Whitewater Centre planned for 2032 was a known habitat.
