The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has announced that a former grazing property is to become the State’s newest national park.
In a statement, DES said The Lakes, north of Hughenden, would increase Queensland’s protected area estate by 35,300 hectares, with the Department now finalising the multi-million-dollar purchase.
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said it was the largest acquisition yet undertaken under Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030, a major plan to support the growth and management of national parks and other protected areas.
“This purchase will ensure the future preservation of valuable, undisturbed ecosystems and habitat that will link up to an existing network of protected areas in the region,” Ms Scanlon said.
“As it transitions into a national park, we will also explore ways to make it accessible for visitors who will definitely want to experience the incredible lakes, birdlife and walks for themselves,” she said.
Ms Scanlon said $28 million had been allocated over four years for public protected area expansion with more than 14 million hectares across Queensland now protected in some way.
“Careful negotiations are currently under way on other high-quality properties, as I am determined to increase our protected areas to deliver a world-class protected area system for our State,” she said.
The Minister said The Lakes straddled the Great Dividing Range and was within the Einasleigh Uplands and Gulf Plains Bioregions.
“These regions have plains, woodlands, escarpments, creeks and unique high-altitude lakes that support a wide range of important flora and fauna,” she said.
“Importantly, these lands are part of the Gudjala First Nations peoples’ traditional country.”
Ms Scanlon said the purchase price was commercial-in-confidence, but thanks to the work of The Nature Conservancy Australia, the Government had received financial support to enable the purchase.
