The Queensland government is transferring 12,000 hectares of state forests in the state’s Southeast corner to national and conservation park.
Leanne Lindard, the Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef announced the move as part of a commitment to transfer 20,000 hectares of state forest to protected areas as part of the state’s Native Timber Action Plan.
“Dedicating more than 12,000 hectares of state forest as national and conservation parks reflects our government’s proactive approach to environmental protection,” Minister Lindard said, adding that the new forest transfer will protect koalas, black cockatoos, tusked frogs, greater gliders and other vulnerable species and flora habitats.
“This includes affording protection to our famous and threatened species and unique cultural heritage, ensuring vital forest resources are managed sustainably, offering unforgettable tourism experiences and providing Queenslanders with their most treasured recreational opportunities.”
Leanne Lindard, the Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef
What are the areas to be impacted by the move?
Wood Central understands that the areas to be protected include 6462 hectares of Squirrel Creek State Forest, 212 hectares of Elgin Vale State Forest, 576 hectares of Yabba State Forest, 479 hectares of Yurol State Forest, 889 hectares of Ringtail State Forest, and 843 hectares of Jimna State Forest in the Sunshine Coast hinterland near Maleny.
Further south, and near the Glasshouse Mountains, 657 hectares of Peachester State Forest, 479 hectares of Bellthorpe State Forest, 1,119 hectares of Beerburrum West State Forest, 119 hectares of Luttons State Forest, and 289 hectares of Delaneys Creek State Forest will also be transferred from state forests to national and conservation parks. And to the west, 100 hectares of Deer Reserve State Forest west of Lake Wivenhoe will also be protected.
Queensland-based environmental groups have welcomed the decision
Nicky Moffat, from the Queensland Conservation Council, said the move would protect forests for future generations and conserve numerous threatened plants and animals.
“Community on the Sunshine Coast region will be overjoyed to see the vision for a connected swathe of protected forests around the Yabba State Forest come closer to fruition,” Ms Moffat said, adding that “wildlife need large connected patches to thrive, so it is wonderful to see large areas of the high conservation value Yabba State Forest as well as the nearby Jimna and Elgin Vale state forests on track for protection.”
“We would support a high level of investment in community consultation around the best management of these forests and hope the Kabi Kabi, Butchulla, Jinibara and any other traditional owners in the area are meaningfully involved in decisions about ongoing forest stewardship.”
To find out why Queensland could run out of essential hardwoods, needed to build 1 million dwellings over the next 22 years, click on Wood Central’s special feature.
Please Note: Wood Central is a neutral platform and will not take an editorial stance over Australia’s native harvesting (or logging) debate. However, in the matter of public interest, it will post articles and invite subject matter experts from all sides to provide contributors, who will be fact-checked before publication.
