The floods over December and January, together with recent tropical cyclones including Cyclone Yasi, appear likely to impact on Queensland's planning system. To assist with the rebuilding and recovery of Queensland communities, the State Government has established the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, with powers to make development schemes, and to intervene in the development assessment system.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority has the ability to overrule council development decisions, to compulsorily acquire land, and to be charged with considering whether or not existing damaged infrastructure ought to be repaired, replaced with like infrastructure, relocated, or re-established with natural disaster resilient infrastructure.

In this paper, Partner David Nicholls, Senior Associate Sarah Persijn and Solicitor Olivia Williamson discuss the establishment of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, and analyse its likely impact on planning in Queensland.

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