Published Friday, 10 October, 2008 at 05:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
NEW NATIONAL PARK FOR TOWNSVILLE: BLIGH
Townsville: In an historic move for the State Government's Q2 Green initiative, Premier Anna Bligh and Natural Resources Minister Craig Wallace today announced that up to 5,000 hectares in the Bohle Plains area will be declared a new National Park.
“This is good news for North Queensland and a massive step forward for the Government’s Q2 target for a greener Queensland,” said the Premier.
“Townsville will have a unique National Park just 20 minutes drive from Dairy Farmers Stadium and just half an hour from the Townsville CBD.
“This is a huge win for the environment and for North Queensland. Townsville residents will now have another significant National Park right at their back door,” she said.
“Importantly it will be another attraction for tourists to the region. In time it will have the infrastructure and amenities of a National Park,” she said.
Mr Wallace said the move followed a land study that recommended the State land between Hervey’s Range Road and the Pinnacles be protected.
"The final report recommends that 4,971 hectares of Unallocated State land be declared a National Park because of its significant conservation and scenic values.”
Minister Wallace said that there would be significant environmental benefits for the local vegetation and wildlife.
"In terms of bio-diversity, the endangered Black-throated Finch and other important species such as the Single-striped Delma, the Masked Owl, Echidna and Peregrine Falcon are found in this area,” Mr Wallace said.
"Gazetting it a National Park – which will happen in the first quarter of next year - will provide a wildlife corridor and allow habitat protection for these species.
"A National Park will also provide for the protection of a number of Regionally Significant Ecosystems, particularly those associated with our local rivers, and contribute to the protection and enhancement of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
"In addition, we will be able to ensure the future of the scenic rim area west of Townsville which includes the granite outcrops of the Pinnacles.
"This land transfer is all about protecting and enhancing what we have today, so that we can enjoy it in the future as we head Toward Q2," he said.
Through Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland the Bligh Government has set targets to further protect Queensland’s lifestyle and natural environment from the pressures of a growing population and climate change.
The Queensland Government will play its part by protecting 50% more areas as National Park and to secure Queensland’s unique biodiversity.
Along with the new National Park the Bohle Plains area has been earmarked for several important projects.
Earlier this year Minister Wallace committed to a 250-hectare residential development project for the Bohle Plains area of Townsville.
“This was part of a Bligh Government commitment to review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated state land throughout Queensland and a response to increased population growth in regional centres,” he said.
The Government is also looking at the possibility of making land at Bohle available for a multi-use recreational centre, including a motor sport facility and a new cemetery.
The 250 hectares identified for the initial residential land release will provide an estimated 2500 housing lots, aimed at the affordable housing market, and will be offered to developers through a tender process.
Tenders for the land will open on December 15 and close on March 2.
Progressive development of the site, in accordance with a master plan, is expected to take a number of years.
The final master plan is required to incorporate affordable land alternatives to assist with the delivery of a product on the market that is targeted to first home buyers.
In addition an agreement with the successful tenderer will ensure delivery of allotments for social housing, where required.
The plan must also consider associated social infrastructure such as public open space provisions, parkland and the protection of the scenic amenity of Mt Louisa.
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s Office 3896 3688 0404 133 242 .
Please note Map attached.
“This is good news for North Queensland and a massive step forward for the Government’s Q2 target for a greener Queensland,” said the Premier.
“Townsville will have a unique National Park just 20 minutes drive from Dairy Farmers Stadium and just half an hour from the Townsville CBD.
“This is a huge win for the environment and for North Queensland. Townsville residents will now have another significant National Park right at their back door,” she said.
“Importantly it will be another attraction for tourists to the region. In time it will have the infrastructure and amenities of a National Park,” she said.
Mr Wallace said the move followed a land study that recommended the State land between Hervey’s Range Road and the Pinnacles be protected.
"The final report recommends that 4,971 hectares of Unallocated State land be declared a National Park because of its significant conservation and scenic values.”
Minister Wallace said that there would be significant environmental benefits for the local vegetation and wildlife.
"In terms of bio-diversity, the endangered Black-throated Finch and other important species such as the Single-striped Delma, the Masked Owl, Echidna and Peregrine Falcon are found in this area,” Mr Wallace said.
"Gazetting it a National Park – which will happen in the first quarter of next year - will provide a wildlife corridor and allow habitat protection for these species.
"A National Park will also provide for the protection of a number of Regionally Significant Ecosystems, particularly those associated with our local rivers, and contribute to the protection and enhancement of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
"In addition, we will be able to ensure the future of the scenic rim area west of Townsville which includes the granite outcrops of the Pinnacles.
"This land transfer is all about protecting and enhancing what we have today, so that we can enjoy it in the future as we head Toward Q2," he said.
Through Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland the Bligh Government has set targets to further protect Queensland’s lifestyle and natural environment from the pressures of a growing population and climate change.
The Queensland Government will play its part by protecting 50% more areas as National Park and to secure Queensland’s unique biodiversity.
Along with the new National Park the Bohle Plains area has been earmarked for several important projects.
Earlier this year Minister Wallace committed to a 250-hectare residential development project for the Bohle Plains area of Townsville.
“This was part of a Bligh Government commitment to review the use of up to 20,000 parcels of unallocated state land throughout Queensland and a response to increased population growth in regional centres,” he said.
The Government is also looking at the possibility of making land at Bohle available for a multi-use recreational centre, including a motor sport facility and a new cemetery.
The 250 hectares identified for the initial residential land release will provide an estimated 2500 housing lots, aimed at the affordable housing market, and will be offered to developers through a tender process.
Tenders for the land will open on December 15 and close on March 2.
Progressive development of the site, in accordance with a master plan, is expected to take a number of years.
The final master plan is required to incorporate affordable land alternatives to assist with the delivery of a product on the market that is targeted to first home buyers.
In addition an agreement with the successful tenderer will ensure delivery of allotments for social housing, where required.
The plan must also consider associated social infrastructure such as public open space provisions, parkland and the protection of the scenic amenity of Mt Louisa.
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s Office 3896 3688 0404 133 242 .
Please note Map attached.