Published Thursday, 07 June, 2007 at 04:15 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
HALF A MILLION REASONS TO CELEBRATE NATURE: PREMIER
Queensland’s Nature Refuge Program is now protecting more than half a million hectares of the State’s natural heritage with another 19 properties signed to the scheme.
Premier Peter Beattie and Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced Queensland has reached 242 nature refuges spanning 561,000 hectares of some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
“The new nature refuges to join the program will protect valuable conservation areas while at the same time enable landowners to continue managing their private enterprises sustainably,” Mr Beattie said.
“This program is a truly outstanding example of cooperation and partnership between governments, non-government organisations and landholders for the purposes of conservation and sustainable land management,” he said.
“The Queenslanders taking part are playing a critical role in protecting species and ecosystems that in many cases may not be in our national parks.
“The beneficiaries of their foresight will be future generations of Queenslanders.”
Contributing to the program’s outstanding milestone today was Graham Turner, founder and Managing Director of Flight Centre and owner of Peppers resort who has agreed to sign up a third Spicers Peak property to the Nature Refuge Program.
The latest parcel of land takes in 2080 hectares bordering the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park.
“The conservation and cultural heritage value of Mr Turner’s property is magnificent,” said the Premier.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said Environmental Protection Agency surveys found Mr Turner’s properties were home to some of Queensland’s rare and endangered native animals, including the mountain galaxias fish, Hastings River mouse, Gould’s long-eared bat, red-bellied black-snake and great barred frog.
“Spicer’s Peak includes eucalyptus open forest, woodland, high shrubland, vine thicket and vegetation that helps protect Millar Vale Creek and Freestone Creek, as well as creates an important bioregional corridor,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Nature refuges play a vital role in complementing what we have in the national parks system and creating important nature corridors that will help protect species and vegetation that are not always present in public reserves,” she said.
“It’s a fact of life that we will never be able to protect the incredible variety and extent of Queensland’s plants and animals through national parks alone.
“So the people signing up to the Nature Refuge Program like Graham Turner are making an invaluable contribution to protecting our native flora and fauna for the future.”
“The benefits are many, including helping our wildlife and natural systems cope with climate change.”
Media Note: Some of the 19 properties gazetted this round are included in the attached list. Mr Turner’s third property to join the program will be gazetted later this year.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3336 8004
Premier Peter Beattie and Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today announced Queensland has reached 242 nature refuges spanning 561,000 hectares of some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet.
“The new nature refuges to join the program will protect valuable conservation areas while at the same time enable landowners to continue managing their private enterprises sustainably,” Mr Beattie said.
“This program is a truly outstanding example of cooperation and partnership between governments, non-government organisations and landholders for the purposes of conservation and sustainable land management,” he said.
“The Queenslanders taking part are playing a critical role in protecting species and ecosystems that in many cases may not be in our national parks.
“The beneficiaries of their foresight will be future generations of Queenslanders.”
Contributing to the program’s outstanding milestone today was Graham Turner, founder and Managing Director of Flight Centre and owner of Peppers resort who has agreed to sign up a third Spicers Peak property to the Nature Refuge Program.
The latest parcel of land takes in 2080 hectares bordering the World Heritage-listed Main Range National Park.
“The conservation and cultural heritage value of Mr Turner’s property is magnificent,” said the Premier.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said Environmental Protection Agency surveys found Mr Turner’s properties were home to some of Queensland’s rare and endangered native animals, including the mountain galaxias fish, Hastings River mouse, Gould’s long-eared bat, red-bellied black-snake and great barred frog.
“Spicer’s Peak includes eucalyptus open forest, woodland, high shrubland, vine thicket and vegetation that helps protect Millar Vale Creek and Freestone Creek, as well as creates an important bioregional corridor,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Nature refuges play a vital role in complementing what we have in the national parks system and creating important nature corridors that will help protect species and vegetation that are not always present in public reserves,” she said.
“It’s a fact of life that we will never be able to protect the incredible variety and extent of Queensland’s plants and animals through national parks alone.
“So the people signing up to the Nature Refuge Program like Graham Turner are making an invaluable contribution to protecting our native flora and fauna for the future.”
“The benefits are many, including helping our wildlife and natural systems cope with climate change.”
Media Note: Some of the 19 properties gazetted this round are included in the attached list. Mr Turner’s third property to join the program will be gazetted later this year.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Minister’s Office 3336 8004