Lamington gets bigger on its 100th birthday

Lamington lovers had more to celebrate on the national park’s 100^th birthday today, as the Queensland Government announced a 586 hectare addition – the largest extension to the Gold Coast hinterland park since it was declared in 1915.

National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles was visiting Green Mountains to celebrate the park’s history and open a refurbished information centre when he surprised the crowd by announcing the extension that gives the rugged World Heritage-listed park a total area of more than 21,000 hectares.

“The Queensland Government has been presented with a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to protecting the environment. It’s a fitting tribute to mark the centenary of this iconic place,” Dr Miles said.

“I’m thrilled to announce that such a large piece of land in Numinbah Valley will be added. The parcel is being transferred from Corrective Services to the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.

“It’s a forested area of mostly intact, natural vegetation along the eastern edge of the Lamington escarpment, next to the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, extending north from Egg Rock. The land contains a range of biodiversity values that have state environmental significance, and it forms a corridor between Lamington and Springbrook national parks,” he said.

Dr Miles said the fact that 31 July was World Ranger Day, and that Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service was celebrating 40 years as an organisation, added to the celebrations.

“It was here at Lamington, in 1919, that Queensland got its first park ranger – Mick O’Reilly, whose brothers were made honorary rangers,” he said.

“Our band of rangers across the state has grown to many hundreds, while this ancient part of Queensland has gathered many devotees. Thanks to the dedication of everyone who has gathered to celebrate the park, it will continue to do so.”

More information about Lamington National Park’s centenary and World Ranger Day is at www.npsr.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Katharine Wright 0422 580 342

ENDS