Matters of state environmental significance—mapping method
Matters of state environmental significance (MSES) are state-significant environmental values that are identified by the Queensland Government to aid in the protection of biodiversity through the planning system and environmental offsets framework. These include certain values protected under Queensland legislation, such as:
- national parks, private protected areas and marine parks
- protected species and their habitat
- fish habitat areas and marine plants
- important wetlands and waterways
- regulated vegetation that may include ‘endangered’ and ‘of concern’ regional ecosystems, riparian vegetation and essential habitat for threatened species.
The MSES mapping product shows indicative locations for MSES as defined in the glossary of the State Planning Policy 2017 (SPP). This definition differs from the definition of MSES in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 and in the State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP).
MSES mapping in the planning system
MSES mapping is produced specifically to support implementation of the biodiversity state interest of the State Planning Policy 2017 (SPP) as published on the State Planning Policy Interactive Mapping System (SPP IMS).
This mapping informs plan-making under the Queensland planning system and may be incorporated into local planning schemes. However, it is important to note that this mapping product is not a trigger for development assessment.
- For state assessment triggers, refer to the state’s Development Assessment Mapping System (DAMS) and State Development Assessment Provisions (SDAP).
- For local assessment triggers, refer to the local planning scheme available on your local council’s website.
MSES mapping methodology
The MSES mapping product is comprised of 22 separate layers and draws from data managed across multiple state departments.
The Method for mapping matters of state environmental significance document describes the process and data layers used for mapping MSES.
MSES mapping update regime
MSES mapping layers are usually updated once per year to reflect the underlying data. The timing of updates will vary depending on the layer.
Mapping amendments are notified and summarised on the planning framework mapping website. You can also subscribe to mapping alerts.
View MSES mapping
MSES mapping layers are displayed on the State Planning Policy Interactive Mapping System (SPP IMS), under ‘Environment and Heritage’ and ‘Biodiversity’.
MSES mapping can also be viewed on Queensland Globe (QGlobe).
A report identifying MSES for a specified location can be generated on Environmental reports online.
Access MSES data
The GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping data for MSES can be accessed from the Queensland Spatial Catalogue (QSpatial). Search ‘MSES’ in the keyword search.
Apply MSES mapping symbology
Symbology for MSES mapping is consistent across SPP IMS and QGlobe mapping. The following options allow you to apply this symbology (colours and styles) to MSES datasets that are downloaded from QSpatial.
- For ESRI ArcGIS users, the MSES layer file (.lyrx) may be used to automatically apply the correct symbology, when linked to the correct data sources.
- For other GIS users, the MSES dataset symbology guide provides information on applying the symbology of the MSES mapping layers.