Great Barrier Reef Marine Park protected area grows

• One hundred and forty islands or parts thereof within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have been added to Queensland’s protected areas estate.
• The acquisitions, with a combined total land size of 1,390 hectares, will protect endangered and of-concern ecosystems as well as vital habitats for important species such as green and flatback turtles, seabirds and shorebirds.
• The acquisitions are in addition to the recent acquisition of the 1,600ha Spadely Station on Curtis Island.

The protection of the Great Barrier Reef has been further boosted by the addition of 140 islands or parts thereof within the marine park to Queensland’s protected areas estate.

The additional lands, with a combined total of 1,390 hectares, form part of the Miles Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project.

The project increases reef island protection, by acquiring or transferring high conservation value islands, or parts thereof, to add to Queensland’s protected area estate, ensuring endangered and of-concern ecosystems and habitat for important species such as green and flatback turtles, seabirds and shorebirds are protected for future generations.

Lands secured under this project contain significant conservation values, and their dedication as protected area estate ensures their ecological values are preserved.

The additional areas are secured by purchasing leasehold properties, including non-operational leases, and land reserves adjacent to national parks, and by transferring ecologically valuable unallocated state land to protected area estate.

The Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project complements the acquisition of the 1,600ha Spadely Station on Curtis Island late last year. 

The purchase of Spadely Station, hailed as a win by the state’s conservation groups, ensures ongoing protection for Curtis Island’s estuarine wetlands, migratory bird habitat, threatened fauna species and nesting habitat for the vulnerable flatback turtle.

Queensland’s terrestrial protected areas currently cover more than 14.5 million hectares or 8.39% of the state’s total land area. The Miles Government has acquired more than 410,000 hectares and earmarked it for future inclusion in the protected areas estate.   

In addition to dedicating these islands as protected area, the Miles Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project is also funding, where necessary, their rehabilitation. Demolition contractors are currently removing old, dilapidated structures and plant and equipment from St Bees Island. This follows from the clean-up of the former resort on Wild Duck Island in August 2023.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“I am passionate about protecting Queensland’s world-renowned Great Barrier Reef and its unique ecosystem for the next generation, and all those that follow.

“Our commitment to expand the protected areas within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park will mean important breading areas and nesting sites can be preserved. 

“One of my first acts as Premier was a commitment to take strong action on emission reductions, and we are progressing the legislation to lock in a 75 by 35 target.

“When we say something, we do something and it’s my promise to Queenslanders and the world that my government will always take care of the Great Barrier Reef and it’s natural wonders.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“The Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project is yet another demonstration of the Miles Government’s commitment to protecting the iconic Great Barrier Reef and the wide variety of species who call it home.

“Through this project, we are protecting vital ecosystems and habitats for species like green and flatback turtles, seabirds and shorebirds.

“Including these pristine locations in protected areas will further preserve their conservation values and ensure our wildlife will thrive.

“That’s why the government is investing $262.5 million through our Protected Area Strategy to acquire more critical habitat, and why we’re delivering on our election commitment Great Barrier Reef Island Arks Program.

“We are not about to rest - my department continues work to identify other parcels of land that can be acquired and added to our already impressive protected areas estate, ensuring they are protected for the benefit of the environment and our community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert:

“We must never rest in our efforts to protect and conserve our iconic Great Barrier Reef.

“The Reef Island Arks Project and the acquisitions that have been made further demonstrate the Miles Government’s strong commitment to protecting the reef and its contribution to our environment, economy and lifestyle.

“We also know that climate change is another significant threat to the reef.

“That’s why our government introduced legislation into State Parliament last week to enshrine our ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets into law.

“The Miles Government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent based on 2005 levels by 2035 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with leading global economies.

“Reducing emissions will go a long way to protecting the reef and the thousands of species that call it home.

Quotes attributable to the Chief Executive Officer of the National Parks Association of Queensland Inc, Chris Thomas:

“As we continue to face environmental challenges and the delicate balance between human progress and nature conservation, the importance of Queensland’s protected areas has never been more pronounced.

“Our protected areas serve as sanctuaries for biodiversity, crucial reservoirs of clean air and water, and havens for sustainable recreational and educational experiences.

“National parks and other protected areas play a pivotal role in biodiversity conservation.

“These natural habitats provide refuge to countless plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or at risk of extinction.

“With the increase in protected areas in Queensland, we ensure the survival of these species and contribute to the overall health and resilience of ecosystems, while providing more natural spaces for the community to visit, learn about and enjoy.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat:

"This is wonderful news for nature and communities in several Queensland regions - more island ecosystems protected as national parks for all Queenslanders to enjoy.

"From Cairns to Mackay and down to Gladstone, the Great Barrier Reef's island and coastal national parks will now be more connected and this will help ensure their health into the future.

"Queensland has spectacular, unique landscapes and they need to be cared for. Well-funded protected areas are vitally important and it's great to see leadership from this Government towards the important goal of doubling Queensland’s protected areas estate.”

Further information:

A map, images and vision of the islands and species which call them home are available here and here.

The following Great Barrier Reef island national parks and conservation parks increased in area under the Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project:

• Barnard Island Group National Park, south of Cairns, increased by 0.62 ha by dedicating Bresnahan Island, a significant nesting site for the bridled tern, black-naped tern and pied imperial-pigeon.
• Bowling Green Bay National Park, Townsville, increased by 2.7 ha by dedicating Bray, Bare, and Bald islets, forming part of a bioregional corridor and providing significant bird nesting sites for the white-bellied sea-eagle and black-naped tern.
• Brampton Islands National Park, off Mackay, increased by 4 ha by dedicating 6 additional islands, protecting important bird nesting sites. 
• Broad Sound Islands National Park, off Rockhampton, increased by 329.55 ha by dedicating an additional 24 parcels of land on the islands that contain breeding sites for various bird, green turtle and flatback turtle species.
• In addition, the Broad Sound Islands Conservation Park increased by a further 50.3 ha by dedicating parts of Wild Duck and Collins islands, that were former esplanade, as protected area, providing connectivity and management benefits with the overall conservation park
• Curtis Island National Park increased by 66.41 ha by dedicating Black Swan Island, two islands at Shellys Knob and an island in Graham Creek. These areas contain significant wetland and threatened ecological communities and provide wildlife refugia and important roosting sites for the eastern curlew and great knot.
• Eurimbula National Park, on the mainland south of Gladstone, increased by 15.2 ha by dedicating Bird Island and a nearby unnamed island that provide low tide connectivity with the existing national park and will improve management of the area.
• Family Islands National Park, off Mission Beach, increased by 1.47 ha by dedicating Wol-Garin Island and Pee Rahm Ah Island that contain “of concern” regional ecosystems and provide roosting sites for sea birds such as the white-bellied sea eagle and eastern osprey. 
• Frankland Islands Group National Park, south-east of Cairns, increased by 2.36 ha by dedicating Catalina Rock, the addition enabling the continued protection of the island that is an endangered regional ecosystem.
• Gloucester Island National Park, off Bowen, increased by 17.75 ha by dedicating six islands containing regional “of concern” ecosystems and providing habitat for vulnerable species including the green turtle.
• Goold Island National Park, north of Hinchinbrook Island, increased by 21.2 ha by dedicating an adjoining island, providing connectivity with Goold Island National Park and will improve strategic management.
• Keppel Bay Islands National Park, off Yeppoon, increased by 17.44 ha by dedicating Flat Rock, Round Rock, Mother Macgregor, Bluff Rock, and Creek Rock islands and part of Hummocky Island. The islands contain significant breeding sites for birds including the Caspian tern.
• Lindeman Islands National Park, in the Whitsundays, increased by 19.75 ha by dedicating nine adjacent islands that will improve management as it provides connectivity with the surrounding islands that are in excellent ecological condition and contain significant bird nesting sites.
• Molle Islands National Park, in the Whitsundays, increased by 4.2 ha by dedicating three adjacent islands that provide low tide connectivity with other sections of Molle Islands National Park and will improve management.
• Northumberland Islands National Park, off Mackay, increased by 234.5 ha by dedicating nine additional parcels of land on the islands, containing habitat for green turtles. 
• Percy Isles National Park, off Ilbilbie, increased by 193 ha by dedicating the former esplanade on the island which will provide connectivity and management benefits to the adjacent Percy Isles National Park.
• In addition, the Middle Percy Island Conservation Park increased by 3.2 ha by dedicating part of this island that was esplanade into protected area providing connectivity and management benefits with the overall conservation park.
• Repulse Islands National Park, off Mackay, increased by 5.9 ha by dedicating Defiance Island that contains regional “of concern” ecosystems and provides habitat for the endangered lesser sand plover.
• Smith Islands National Park, off Mackay, increased by 16.9 ha by dedicating 15 additional islands that contain important bird nesting sites and habitat for the near threatened plant Xylosma ovata.
• South Cumberland Islands National Park, off Mackay, increased by 270.78 ha by dedicating 27 additional parcels of land on the islands, which are in exceptional ecological condition and provide roosting sites for seabirds and the eastern curlew, and nesting sites for green turtle and flatback turtle.
• Whitsunday Islands National Park increased by 43.2 ha by dedicating 18 adjacent islands that are surrounded by iconic and significant group of national park islands in excellent ecological condition and contain important bird nesting sites.
• Wild Cattle Island National Park, near Tannum Sands, increased by about 69.4 ha by dedicating a further portion (former esplanade) of Wild Cattle Island, providing connectivity and management benefits to the adjacent Wild Cattle National Park containing important nesting sites for green turtles.

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339