Areas of Glass House Mountains (above) and Sunshine Coast hinterland (below) state forests will be redesignated as national or conservation parks under the new plan. Photos: Andrew McLaughlin.
The Queensland Government has moved to lock up about 12,000 hectares of state forest as national park or conservation park.
The move announced on Monday (17 June) is part of the government’s commitment to transfer some 20,000 hectares of state forest across the state to the protected areas estate under the Native Timber Action Plan.
The areas of land 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 north-west of Maleny.
Further south in the Glass House Mountains region, 657 hectares of Peachester State Forest, 479 hectares of Bellthorpe State Forest, 1119 hectares of Beerburrum West State Forest, 119 hectares of Luttons State Forest and 289 hectares of Delaneys Creek State Forest will all be protected.
To the west, 100 hectares of Deer Reserve State Forest west of Lake Wivenhoe will also be protected.
These state forests have been identified as holding significant ecological and recreational values, including koala, black cockatoo, tusked frog, greater glider and other vulnerable species’ and flora habitats.
State Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leanne Linard said the government was protecting and expanding areas of high environmental importance across the state.
“Dedicating more than 12,000 hectares of state forest as national and conservation parks reflects our government’s proactive approach to environmental protection,” she said.
“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.
“Our protected area estate is a major contributor to Queensland’s economic prosperity and growing our protected area estate is essential for not just the environment but also the economy.”
Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat said it was great to see the vital habitat these forests create being protected for future generations and the conservation of 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,” she said.
“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.”
