Funding for new Queensland nature refuges

Queenslanders who want to transform their property into a refuge for native animals and flora are being encouraged to put their hand up for the Palaszczuk Government’s latest round of NatureAssist grants.

Off the back of major conservation land acquisitions by the Palaszczuk Government, including 131,900 hectares in Cape York, Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said eligible landholders could apply for a share of $2.2 million to help expand or transform part or all of their property into a nature refuge.

“Queensland has the largest private protected area network in Australia, with recent acquisitions adding to millions of hectares already by protected by the Palaszczuk Government as national park,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Private nature refuges provide important additional habitat for conservation, complementing our public national parks.

“There are 550 nature refuges right across the state covering 4.4 million hectares, but we know there are plenty more property owners out there who want to do their bit and protect the environment.

“This funding is part of our record $1.4 billion budget to protect the environment, create jobs and drive Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19.

Minister Scanlon said the funding could be used for habitat restoration, refuge expansions greater than 1,000 hectares, weed and feral animal control programs, the development of cultural heritage plans or the installation of fences or other control measures to restrict stock access to environmentally sensitive areas.

A nature refuge is a voluntary agreement between a landholder and the Queensland Government to conserve the significant natural and cultural values of privately managed land.

“A nature refuge is one of the strongest ways a landholder can demonstrate their environmental stewardship and to ensure that their good land management practices will be continued into the future, even when the property changes hands.

“Since 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has increased the amount of protected areas across Queensland by 1.2 million hectares and committed $60 million to continue expanding and managing these areas.

“That’s after we became the first state in Australia to create a new class of protected area, providing the same level of protection on private land as national parks.”

Minister Scanlon said since the NatureAssist program started in 2007, almost $16 million had been provided to 120 projects across the state and had resulted in a significant expansion of Queensland’s protected area system.

Expressions of Interest are now open and will close at 4pm on 20 May 2022.

To apply or for more information head to: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/parks/protected-areas/private/program

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz – 0420 592 078