Environment groups come together for roundtable

The Palaszczuk Government is holding an environmental stakeholder roundtable today, with biodiversity, the Great Barrier Reef and climate change a key focus.

In hosting the environmental roundtable with key stakeholders, Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said it was vital that Queensland’s environment organisations were heard.

“Today’s roundtable brings together representatives from the 10 Regional Conservation Councils in Queensland and 15 state and national conservation and environment groups to discuss key issues that are facing our environment,” Ms Enoch said.

“This is the second environmental roundtable I have hosted this year, providing a vital opportunity for Government to consult on our state’s conservation and environmental priorities and challenges."

Participants include delegates from Queensland Conservation Council, Australian Marine Conservation Council and WWF, as well as conservation representatives from across regional Queensland who will bring valuable knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef and climate change to the table.

“At a time when Queensland is experiencing unprecedented bushfires and heatwaves, understanding the impacts of climate change is important,” Ms Enoch said.

“Experts warn of the potential for climate change to increase the frequency and intensity of bushfires.

“We know climate change is real, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions will also help protect the future of the Great Barrier Reef.

“That is why our Government has set a target of zero net emissions by 2050.”

Ms Enoch said today’s roundtable would also focus on the development a new biodiversity conservation strategy for Queensland.

“We want to work with stakeholders as we take a more coordinated, strategic, central approach to the conservation of threatened species,” Ms Enoch said.

“We have accepted all seven recommendations of the Queensland Audit Office for improving the conservation of threatened species, and open discussions like this are important in shaping the way forward.

“Another strong focus of today is increasing our protected areas.

“Queensland has the largest private protected area network in Australia and we are growing a world-leading private protected area estate to protect wildlife and their habitats.

“We have a lot to be proud of when it comes to the environment, and this is an avenue to generate discussion, to collaborate and to consider how to do things differently.”

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