GREEN CARD FOR ANOTHER 100,000HA OF SOUTH-EAST QUEENSLAND

The Beattie Government is safeguarding south-east Queensland’s rare and ancient treasures by protecting another 100,000ha of forest reserves.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said that in this group of transfers, 22 forest reserves and some unallocated state land, totalling more than 100,000ha, had been added to national parks while about 1000ha had been transferred to conservation parks and a resources reserve.

“The new protected areas include some special parcels of land in the regions of Brisbane; Toowoomba; the Sunshine Coast; between Boonah and Rathdowney; the Boyne Valley and Burnett regions; the Fraser Coast; and between Monto and Gladstone,“ she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the transfers helped fulfil a State Government commitment to convert nearly 407,000ha of forest reserves between Brisbane and Gladstone to national parks and other protected areas.

“We’re nearly half way to achieving this goal – having transferred close to 190,000ha of forest reserve area, containing a significant amount of Queensland’s biodiversity,” she said.

Highlights of the south-east Queensland forest transfers:

·Boyne Valley/Burnett area: a five-fold increase to Kroombit Tops National Park, now more than 43,000ha, and the creation of three national parks - Dan Dan National Park, Bulburin National Park and Warro National Park west of Miriam Vale;

·Daisy Hill, in Brisbane: 432ha of forest reserve has become Daisy Hill Conservation Park;

·Boonah/Rathdowney area: Mount Barney National Park near is now 4300ha larger, taking in Burnett Creek Forest Reserve and three Palen Creek Forest Reserves;

·Childers: the 10,160ha Wongi National Park has been created;

·Toowoomba: the 1066.7ha Mt Binga National Park has been created;

·Gympie region: the 531.3ha Glastonbury National Park has been created; and

·Maleny, Sunshine Coast area: Kondalilla National Park will be extended by 1200ha.

The transfer of lands from forest reserve to other protected area status would still allow for recreation uses such as bushwalking and camping.

The Beattie Government has consulted traditional owners, local councils, conservation groups, grazing lessees, recreation groups, peak bodies such as AgForce and the National Parks Association of Queensland as part of the transfer process.

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002