Halifax Bay wetlands earmarked for national park

North Queensland is to get a new national park near Ingham, with the transfer today of 15km of State-owned wetlands in Halifax Bay to the Environmental Protection Agency for gazettal as national park.

Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, in Townsville for World Wetlands Day celebrations, said the land 18km south-east of Ingham contained a diverse array of virtually untouched wetlands.

“The Queensland Government recognises that this parcel of land plays an important role in maintaining the health of the reef, and sustaining a range of endangered wildlife,” Mr McNamara said.

“The Halifax Bay wetlands contain significant, intact coastal wetlands that support rare and threatened ecosystems, plants and animals.

“The parcel of land we are focussing on contains a diverse wetland aggregation that is important to the community and the environment for a number of reasons.

“The rates of habitat loss are dramatic for coastal wetlands, with certain catchments along the Queensland coast having lost up to 80 per-cent of the original freshwater wetlands.

“This Halifax Bay area was identified for protection because it provides habitat for some of Queensland’s endangered flora and fauna species.

“The Environmental Protection Agency will shortly begin the formal gazettal process that will make the area national park.

“In total, we’ll be protecting approximately 4700 hectares of significant coastal wetlands.

“It will effectively join up a number of smaller national parks scattered through the area.”

Mr McNamara said the land was low-lying and close to the coast, which meant there were significant constraints to any form of development.

“The best use for this parcel is nature conservation,” he said.

Mr McNamara paid tribute to the staff of the Queensland Wetlands Program, the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Natural Resources and Water for their work in transferring the land.

“This is a great example of government departments working together to achieve long-term outcomes for the people of Queensland,” he said.

“The transfer was initiated by the Queensland Wetlands Program, which is a $23 million initiative of the Queensland and Australian governments to protect wetlands.

“The Queensland Government is delivering $7.5 million worth of work to help Queenslanders manage and protect wetlands across Queensland.

“The co-operation between the Australian and Queensland governments is delivery great outcomes for the State.”

Features of the Halifax Bay wetlands include:
• The parcel of land is 15km long and covers approximately 4700ha.
• There are a range of wetlands including estuarine areas, freshwater swamps, saltmarshes and sand dunes.
• The wetland aggregation is habitat for the endangered mahogany glider as well as a number of animals listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act. These include the crimson finch, beach stone-curlew and estuarine crocodiles.
• The Halifax fan palm (Livistona drudei) and the Ant-plant (Myrmecodia beccarri), which are both listed as vulnerable under the Nature Conservation Act, are found in the wetlands.
• Halifax Bay wetlands are a recognised as nursery grounds for reef fish such as barramundi and mangrove jack.

Please note: Stills and broadcast-quality vision of the wetlands are available.

Media contact: Peter McCarthy 333 68004