With head, heart and land: Integration of community work and environmental planning in three north Queensland local government authorities Douglas Shire Council Mackay City Council Townsville City Council

Abstract

Set in three local government authorities in north Queensland, Townsville, Douglas and Mackay, this study explores the extent to which community workers and environmental planners contribute to ecologically sustainable local area planning. The concept of ecological sustainability requires a balanced planning approach in order that the well-being of humans and the non-human environment are protected, yet the potential economic benefits promised by local development projects frequently override concerns about loss of areas with a high conservation value. The approach taken by the three local authorities studied in this thesis, is planning the future of their areas is significant in its potential to contribute to attaining ecological sustainability. Land-use planning decisions have affected and will continue to impact upon not only the aesthetics of the case study areas, but also inevitably short and long term issues of quality of life. There are many conflicting objectives in the councils because they endeavour to maintain employment opportunities, clean, safe environments and manage conservation of natural resources in the face of growing local populations. <....>