Published Wednesday, 18 July, 2007 at 04:00 PM
Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
The Honourable Lindy Nelson-Carr
Partnership provides more protection for Queensland's biodiversity
A partnership between the State Government and private landholders has seen more than half a million hectares of environmentally significant land in Queensland protected by Nature Refuge agreements, a 50-fold increase since the Beattie Government came in to power in 1998.
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said Queensland's Nature Refuge program had grown considerably over the past nine years from 29 refuges covering 11,261 in 1998, to 252 refuges covering 561,871ha in July 2007.
“This means a significant part of Queensland with excellent conservation value is protected for future generations,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Queensland contains some of the most species-rich areas in Australia and in the world.
“This richness has developed largely as a result of our amazingly diverse geology, landscapes and climate ranging from sandy desert to tropical rainforest.
“While National Parks are important in protecting this unique biodiversity, they alone can not ensure the rich biodiversity we have today will be available for future generations.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said a sustainable management approach was required across the entire landscape, including privately managed lands.
“Many important areas in Queensland that are critical for ecological function across the landscape are privately owned and managed.
“Increasing numbers of private landholders are recognising the contribution they make towards the protection of biodiversity and are taking proactive steps to conserve these values through the Nature Refuge Program.
“Among those who have signed up to the program are mining companies, graziers and hobby farmers.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the benefits of nature refuges to conservation in Queensland were enormous.
“Nature refuges can provide protection for species and ecosystems that would otherwise have little or no protection.
“They consolidate and buffer existing protected areas while also establishing landscape linkages and corridors to improve the viability of habitat.
“They also allow for the mobility and migration of native species and provide greater resilience from the impacts of climate change.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the success of the Nature Refuge Program demonstrated that individuals had the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values on their properties as well returning a profit.
“Protecting the environment and running a sustainable rural enterprise can go hand-in-hand.
“I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation by committing part or all of their property to a nature refuge.”
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002
Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said Queensland's Nature Refuge program had grown considerably over the past nine years from 29 refuges covering 11,261 in 1998, to 252 refuges covering 561,871ha in July 2007.
“This means a significant part of Queensland with excellent conservation value is protected for future generations,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.
“Queensland contains some of the most species-rich areas in Australia and in the world.
“This richness has developed largely as a result of our amazingly diverse geology, landscapes and climate ranging from sandy desert to tropical rainforest.
“While National Parks are important in protecting this unique biodiversity, they alone can not ensure the rich biodiversity we have today will be available for future generations.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said a sustainable management approach was required across the entire landscape, including privately managed lands.
“Many important areas in Queensland that are critical for ecological function across the landscape are privately owned and managed.
“Increasing numbers of private landholders are recognising the contribution they make towards the protection of biodiversity and are taking proactive steps to conserve these values through the Nature Refuge Program.
“Among those who have signed up to the program are mining companies, graziers and hobby farmers.”
Ms Nelson-Carr said the benefits of nature refuges to conservation in Queensland were enormous.
“Nature refuges can provide protection for species and ecosystems that would otherwise have little or no protection.
“They consolidate and buffer existing protected areas while also establishing landscape linkages and corridors to improve the viability of habitat.
“They also allow for the mobility and migration of native species and provide greater resilience from the impacts of climate change.
Ms Nelson-Carr said the success of the Nature Refuge Program demonstrated that individuals had the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values on their properties as well returning a profit.
“Protecting the environment and running a sustainable rural enterprise can go hand-in-hand.
“I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation by committing part or all of their property to a nature refuge.”
Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Lisa Gilby 3336 8002