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• EPBC case number: 2018/8350. 
• DA: 4398/2023/RAL 
• Address: 12-26 Eugene Street, Bellbird Park. Lot 902.
• Size: approximately 6.4 hectares to be developed (74 lots).

• EPBC case number: 2019/8575
• Village 2: DA 4272/2020/ADP / Village 3: DA 5547/2020/ADP 
• Address: 7001 Mur Boulevard, Lot 9999
• Size: 120+ hectares are proposed to be developed and over 1800 houses to be built, as well as a small town centre and a sports field. 

• EPBC case number: 2020/8629.
• DA: 4328/2017/ADP 
• Address: 7002 Brookwater Drive, Lot 163. 

• EPBC case number: 2020/8651.  
• DA: TBA
• Address: 24 Springfield College Drive, Lot 51.
• Size: 24.2 hectares.

• The Springfield Structure Plan (SSP) —originally created 30 years ago when Paul Pisasale was Mayor of Ipswich (later jailed for corruption)—now forms part of Ipswich City Council’s (ICC) Planning Scheme. 
• The plan covers 3,000 hectares, much of which was once wholly owned by Springfield City Group (SCG). However, SCG has developed and sold most of this land, retaining only partial ownership today. 
• One of the most alarming aspects of the SSP is that it exempts the entire area, including Woogaroo Forest, from koala and habitat protection laws. While Australia’s national conservation target is 30% protected land, less than 10% of the SSP area has been set aside for wildlife habitat.
• Bringing the SSP in line with modern environmental protection laws requires agreement from SCG, ICC, and the Queensland State Government. In theory, this can be done—but in reality, all parties are unlikely to agree.
• ICC and the Queensland Government are unlikely to challenge SCG in court due to the high cost of legal action - the majority owner of SCG is now a billionaire, making legal resistance even more difficult.
• Local councillors and politicians are avoiding the issue, as they must toe the party or Council line. They could push for change but seem unwilling to risk a legal battle.
• At the federal level, environmental protection laws remain weak, reducing hope for intervention.
• ICC has not followed due process in approving the proposed Stockland Springview Village development so far. However, Stockland has not yet purchased the site, likely waiting to see the outcome of the next federal election before making a decision.
• Woogaroo Forest is too ecologically valuable to lose. Its destruction would not only harm wildlife but also negatively impact the liveability of the entire region.
• We believe people power and media attention can still make a difference. With enough public pressure, we can stop the destruction of Woogaroo Forest before it’s too late.

• The term “controlled action” comes from the Environment Protection and Biodiversity      Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), which applies nationally (including in Queensland). Queensland Law Handbook Online+2Wikipedia+2
• Under the EPBC Act, an “action” is broadly defined: it can be a project, development, undertaking, activity or series of activities — or alteration of these. Environmental Law Australia+1
• A “controlled action” is an action that the Commonwealth (through the Minister for the Environment) deems has, or will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on a “protected matter” (also known as a “matter of national environmental significance”, or MNES). Queensland Law Handbook Online+2EPBC Act Public Portal+2
• Protected matters under the EPBC Act include a range of things such as World Heritage properties, nationally listed threatened species or ecological communities, internationally significant wetlands (Ramsar), migratory species, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, certain water-resource impacts of large coal or coal-seam gas projects, and more. DCCEEW+2State Development Planning+2

In effect: if a proposed development (or other activity) in Queensland (or elsewhere in Australia) risks significant harm to nationally protected environmental values, it may be designated a “controlled action.”

• If an action is determined to be a controlled action, it triggers the requirement for a formal environmental assessment & approval process under the EPBC Act. DCCEEW+2State Development Planning+2
• The process typically involves a referral (the project proponent submits details), then a decision by the Minister (or delegate) on whether it's a controlled action; if yes — then an assessment (which may be a simple assessment or a full-scale environmental impact assessment, depending on scale/impact); finally, an approval decision, possibly with conditions. Queensland Law Handbook Online+2DCCEEW+2
• In Queensland, because of a “bilateral agreement” between the State and Commonwealth, some controlled actions can be assessed under state environmental legislation (rather than separate federal assessment), though final approval remains with the Commonwealth. Queensland Government+2State Development Planning+2
• If a project proceeds without referral / approval when it is legally required to be a controlled action, that would breach federal environmental law. DCCEEW+1

Because Queensland lies within Australia, actions in Queensland that could impact nationally protected environmental values may be subject to federal oversight — even if they also need state-level planning / environmental approvals. The “controlled action” framework ensures that nationally important environmental protections aren’t bypassed just by going through state planning channels.

For example: a large infrastructure project in Queensland that affects habitat of a federally listed threatened species or impacts wetlands of international importance — that project may be a controlled action and need EPBC assessment/approval in addition to any state approvals. State Development Planning+2State Development Planning+2

Because of the bilateral agreement between Commonwealth and Queensland, the detailed assessment can often be done under Queensland’s processes (which helps avoid duplication) — but the project remains subject to the federal decision-making framework. State Development Planning+2Queensland Law Handbook Online+2

•   It is not a blanket label on all developments. Only those that are assessed (or      referred) and found likely to have “significant impact” on protected matters become “controlled actions.” EPBC Act Public Portal+1
• Being a “controlled action” does not necessarily mean a project is forbidden — rather, it means that the project requires proper assessment, and may only proceed if the      responsible Minister (Commonwealth) approves. Environmental Law Australia+2Queensland Law Handbook Online+2
• The assessment under EPBC often focuses on nationally protected environmental values; state-level issues (e.g. local amenity, zoning, noise) may be handled under state or local planning laws.