K’gari and Bulburin National Park added to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has welcomed the addition of K’gari (Fraser Island) and Bulburin National Park to The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, unveiled a commemorative plaque for the recently approved additions while visiting Bundaberg.

Representatives from the traditional owners, the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation for K’gari and the Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust for the Bulburin National Park, were present for the unveiling.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was delighted K’gari and Bulburin National Park would be included in The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy,

“Just as we’re seeing the countries unite for friendly competition on the Gold Coast, we are also seeing amazing collaboration across the Commonwealth to help protect our world’s greatest natural assets,” the Premier said.

“I’m very pleased the Royal Commonwealth Society has accepted my Government’s nomination of these two Queensland sites for inclusion in The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy - a network of forest conservation projects in Commonwealth countries.

“The declaration of these sites will further assist and enhance ongoing conservation activities, ensuring they are protected for future generations to enjoy.”

The Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy (QCC) was launched at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta in 2015 and involves 53 Commonwealth countries.

The network raises awareness of indigenous forests, facilitates knowledge exchange and allows participating countries to share best practice for forest conservation across the Commonwealth.

With the support of the Butchulla people, the traditional owners of K’gari, and the Byellee, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda people, the traditional owners of Bulburin National Park, the two Queensland sites are the first protected areas in Queensland specifically recognised under the program.

“Our extraordinarily diverse forests are a source of pride for all Queenslanders,” the Premier said.  

“K’gari is one of the only places in the world where rainforest trees grow in the sand to heights of more than 200 metres, while Bulburin boasts over 300 animal and 550 plant species.

“Following the Commonwealth Games, I hope to see visitors from across the world come to Queensland to explore these uniquely beautiful parts of our state.”

For more information on The Queens Commonwealth Canopy, please visit https://queenscommonwealthcanopy.org/

Media Contact: Shane Doherty 0439 624 473