HOLLYWOOD FILM PRODUCERS AID THREATENED QUEENSLANDERS

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today thanked producers of Hollywood movie Fool’s Gold, being filmed in north Queensland, for donating $35,000 to the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to help conserve two of the state’s threatened native animals.

Warner Brothers has been shooting the film, which stars Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson, in iconic north Queensland locations including Lizard Island, off Cooktown, and the Whitsunday islands, off Airlie Beach, over the past four months.

Ms Nelson-Carr said QPWS officers had been supervising the filming to ensure there was minimal impact on some of north Queensland’s most beautiful national and marine parks, and forest reserves.

“Warner Brothers’ donation will benefit two north Queensland species in need of help.

“QPWS’s Cassowary Rehabilitation Program will receive $20,000 to help the Innisfail and Mission Beach cassowary populations recover after Cyclone Larry, and $15,000 will go towards preserving the isolated Proserpine rock wallaby colony at Airlie Beach.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the partnership between Warner Brothers, QPWS and the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC) had been fruitful.

“Working together we have ensured the continued protection of idyllic coastal and island locations which are so important for animals and plants and which draw tourists from around the globe.

“This is a good example of how QPWS can manage a major film production on a national park sustainably, and deliver economic and social benefits to the Queensland community.”

Fool’s Gold producer Donald De Line said he wasdelighted with the support the project had received.

"The assistance we've received has been tremendous,” Mr De Line said.

“We have been able to access the locations that we needed, and the support and co-operation of all involved has made shooting here a pleasure.

“The state's pristine white sand beaches; clear, blue water and, of course, the Great Barrier Reef, will all have starring roles in Fool's Gold."

Arts Minister Rod Welford said the ‘donation’ model was the first of its kind in Australia and was initiated by the PFTC.

“The feedback from the producers of Fool’s Gold was they wanted to contribute something to the local areas in which they film and see how they’ve made a difference.

“Before this, fees would be collected by each regional QPWS office as part of the permit process so this new model is ideal.”

Media contact: Andie Gatti 3336 8002 (Minister Nelson-Carr’s office), Greg Milne 3235 4593 (Minister Welford’s office) or Alex Bernard (Pacific Film and Television Commission) 3224 5143