Understanding the Process

Under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act), an action - a project, development or activity - that's likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance can be declared a "controlled action." 

Being declared a controlled action doesn't automatically block a project, but it does mean it can't proceed without formal assessment and approval from the Federal Environment Minister. 

Read more on the Australian Government's EPBC Act page

It happens in four stages. 

• First, a developer submits a referral with details of the proposed action. 
• Second, the Minister (or delegate) decides whether it's likely to have a significant impact, and if so, declares it a controlled action. 
• Third, the proposal undergoes formal environmental assessment. 
• Finally, a decision is made: approval, approval with conditions, or refusal.

The Springfield Structure Plan, gazetted in 1997, is the planning instrument that still governs how this land can be developed today - and it predates the Koala's national legal protection entirely. 

The Koala wasn't listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act until 2012, and Endangered until 2022. 

The Plan exempts its entire 3,000-hectare area, including Woogaroo Forest, from the koala and habitat protection laws that apply elsewhere in Queensland. 

Read the Springfield Structure Plan

Want the full story of how this exemption came to exist? Read How We Got Here 

Australia's national conservation target is 30% of land protected for habitat. Less than 10% of the area covered by the Springfield Structure Plan has been set aside for wildlife - a significant shortfall against the area's own ecological value.

The EPBC Act requires public comment periods at key points in the process. For three of the four developments threatening Woogaroo Forest - Springview Village, Peninsula Precinct and Scenic Precinct - public submissions were collected by Saunders Havill Group, the environmental consultancy engaged by the developers. 

To our knowledge, approximately 1500 submission were made by the public in relation to the Springview Village development (the largest of all the developments) earlier in 2026. 

See public comments and notices on the EPBC Act Public Portal

Community is still encouraged to message Environment Minister Watt with any concerns about the proposed developments. You can send a message directly to Minister Watt and elected officials here: Action