ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON Integrating Environmental Issues Into Local Planning

1. ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON Integrating Environmental Issues Into Local Planning

2. Let me recap the background of the project. It is a 3 year joint-effort project between Malaysia and Denmark. Now we have completed the first year. You would have known that the project is based on a recommendation from the previous ICZM project to incorporate. Some of its strategic recommendations onto local plan or district plan.

3. The objective is sustainable land use planning and development in Sabah.

4. The 3 immediate objectives are to :- • Strengthen the capacity of TRP Dept to produce sustainable land use plans and implement effective development control together with District Authorities.

5. Local Plan Units • Planning Officers • Senior Assist. Planning Officers • Assistant Planning Officers • Planning Assist/Draughtsman District Authorities • Municipal Council • District Office • District Council

6. Sustain and extent inter-agency co-operation and co-ordination in relation to land use planning at State and District Levels: • JKR • Land & Surveys Dept • DID • DOE • Health Dept • Forestry Dept • Agriculture Dept • Ports & Harbour Dept

7. Strengthening Awareness Raising and Public Participation in relation to land use planning. • Architect Association Sabah Branch • Engineers Institute/Association • Institute of Surveyors • Hotel Association • United Bajau Association

8. Kadazandusun Association • Overseas Chinese Association • Fishermen Association • Farmers Association • Small-medium Industrial Federation • State holders • NGOs, Individuals

9. These objectives are to be translated into 3 main project emphases: 1. A higher profile for environmental concerns in the planning process.

10. 2. Encouraging more agencies to participate in the planning process. • Among Government Agencies • Federal & State Ministries • Federal & State Departments • Semi-Government Organisation • Private Sector and Stakeholders • NGOs & Individuals

11. 3. Informing and involving the public in the process. Daily Express Sabah Times TV3 RTM

12. The first phase of the project (until April 2003) focused on Sandakan and Tuaran.

13. The second phase will deal with Kuala Penyu & Beaufort.

14. These coastal areas were chosen during the ICZM Project as portraying a range of typical problems and opportunities which could be addressed through the preparation of District and Local Plans.

15. There have been a number of achievements in the first year of the project, and many of these will be presented to you today.

16. July 2002 – Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) • October 2002 - SEA Training Course • March 2002 - Habitat mapping for Sandakan & Tuaran 4.July 2002 - Shoreline Management Investigations for Sandakan & Tuaran.

17. January 2002 – overall project organisation agreed • February 2002 - Launching of project in Sandakan - March- Tuaran launching • May 2002 – setting up network of TTF • March 2002 – Study Tour to KL 5. June 2002 – To Denmark

18. December 2001 - Technical Presentation to Town and Regional Planning Staff. • July 2002 - Training Session • April 2002 - TRPD Web Page 4.November 2001 - Sept 2002 – Review Cap. 141

19. Awareness Raising and Public Participation • May 2002 – Monthly project information • September 2002 – Public exhibition and forum for Sandakan

20. Future Programme February/March 2003 – Second Exhibition and Public Forum for Sandakan and Tuaran April 2003 – Submission of District and Local Plans to Local Authorities March 2003 – Commencement of Beaufort and Kuala Penyu District/Local Plans.

21. Exhibitions

22. Thank You