Published Monday, 24 March, 2008 at 08:01 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Darling Downs and South West Nature Refuges Protect Endangered Habitat
Three areas of land within Darling Downs/South West are included among seventeen new nature refuges totalling almost 6,000 hectares declared throughout Queensland.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said these latest additions bring to more than 550,000 hectares the amount of land protected by nature refuges around the state.
“Protecting the biodiversity of our state is a shared responsibility, and I congratulate the landholders involved for their willingness to partner with the State Government in this important initiative.
“National parks alone can’t maintain the amazing diversity of plants, animals and cultural diversity found in Queensland.
“The nature refuge program provides financial assistance for landholders who actively manage the natural and/ or cultural assets of their properties.”
The new nature refuges for Darling Downs/South West are:
Bellbird Nature Refuge 3.5 kilometres northeast of Killarney, comprises an array of vegetation, some of which is poorly represented in existing protected areas. The nature refuge contains known habitat for the rare Albert’s lyrebird.
A number of other rare and threatened species, including the endangered Coxen’s fig parrot; the vulnerable brush tailed rock wallaby, glossy black cockatoo, Hastings River mouse and the spotted-tailed quoll; and the rare grey goshawk, could also be present.
Arborlee Nature Refuge covers 45ha 6.5km northeast of Killarney. The Refuge provides habitat for the vulnerable glossy black cockatoo, the spotted-tailed quoll, the rare Albert’s lyrebird and the Stephens’ banded snake. A number of other threatened species, including the endangered Coxen’s fig parrot, the vulnerable Hasting River mouse and the brush tailed rock wallaby, may also reside on the property.
This Nature Refuge is of great importance not only for the species but also for its location. The Refuge forms part of the Southeast Queensland Bioregional corridor; and complements the natural and cultural values of the adjacent Main Range National Park.
Cobbrum Lake Nature Refuge covers 1231.3ha 80km northeast of Cunnamulla. Landholders Neville and Joanne Haig have protected a large claypan lake on their property. Large numbers of native waterfowl and waders, including migratory international species, use the lake when the opportunity arises in wetter years.
“The owners of these properties know they are in special parts of Queensland and it is great to see them joining the Nature Refuge Program,” Mr McNamara said.
“It goes to prove that individuals really do have the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values that they manage everyday.
"I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation in Queensland by entering into a Nature Refuge Agreement.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said these latest additions bring to more than 550,000 hectares the amount of land protected by nature refuges around the state.
“Protecting the biodiversity of our state is a shared responsibility, and I congratulate the landholders involved for their willingness to partner with the State Government in this important initiative.
“National parks alone can’t maintain the amazing diversity of plants, animals and cultural diversity found in Queensland.
“The nature refuge program provides financial assistance for landholders who actively manage the natural and/ or cultural assets of their properties.”
The new nature refuges for Darling Downs/South West are:
Bellbird Nature Refuge 3.5 kilometres northeast of Killarney, comprises an array of vegetation, some of which is poorly represented in existing protected areas. The nature refuge contains known habitat for the rare Albert’s lyrebird.
A number of other rare and threatened species, including the endangered Coxen’s fig parrot; the vulnerable brush tailed rock wallaby, glossy black cockatoo, Hastings River mouse and the spotted-tailed quoll; and the rare grey goshawk, could also be present.
Arborlee Nature Refuge covers 45ha 6.5km northeast of Killarney. The Refuge provides habitat for the vulnerable glossy black cockatoo, the spotted-tailed quoll, the rare Albert’s lyrebird and the Stephens’ banded snake. A number of other threatened species, including the endangered Coxen’s fig parrot, the vulnerable Hasting River mouse and the brush tailed rock wallaby, may also reside on the property.
This Nature Refuge is of great importance not only for the species but also for its location. The Refuge forms part of the Southeast Queensland Bioregional corridor; and complements the natural and cultural values of the adjacent Main Range National Park.
Cobbrum Lake Nature Refuge covers 1231.3ha 80km northeast of Cunnamulla. Landholders Neville and Joanne Haig have protected a large claypan lake on their property. Large numbers of native waterfowl and waders, including migratory international species, use the lake when the opportunity arises in wetter years.
“The owners of these properties know they are in special parts of Queensland and it is great to see them joining the Nature Refuge Program,” Mr McNamara said.
“It goes to prove that individuals really do have the power to protect the diverse range of natural and cultural values that they manage everyday.
"I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation in Queensland by entering into a Nature Refuge Agreement.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004