Queensland has just added another 11,293 hectares of land to its national park system by upgrading 12 forest reserves, in whole or in part, to national park status. The Sunshine State currently has 8.74 million hectares of land protected within more than 300 national parks.
“Queensland has some of the most incredible natural environments in the world,” said the Environment and National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles. “We want to preserve them for future generations to explore and enjoy.”
The move will make the areas safer from the ‘threat’ of mining and development.
“National parks preserve the best of our natural heritage like spectacular landscapes and extraordinary wildlife,” said Dr Miles. “They also deliver invaluable economic, social, cultural and health benefits for Queensland and Australia.”
The Government says that, combined with other protected areas, such as regional parks and reserves, and over four million hectares of private lands declared as nature refuges, some 8% of Queensland is now part of protected area estate. It says it is committed to increasing this to 17%.
The 12 forest reserves that have become national parks are:
- Bulburin East Forest Reserve, 1,695 ha in size, located near Bundaberg and now part of Bulburin National Park
- Cardwell Forest Reserve, 45 ha in size, located near Cardwell and now part of Girringun National Park
- Danbulla Forest Reserve, 17 ha in size, located near Cairns and now part of Danbulla National Park
- Part of Danbulla South Forest Reserve, 614 ha in size, located near Atherton and now part of Danbulla National Park
- Part of Danbulla South Forest Reserve 2, 468 ha in size, located near Atherton and now part of Danbulla National Park
- Part of Danbulla West Forest Reserve, 2,136 ha in size, located near Atherton and now part of Danbulla National Park
- Part of Dryander Forest Reserve, 1,355 ha in size, located near Proserpine and now part of Dryander National Park
- Part of Kelvin Forest Reserve, 2,413 ha in size, located near Mackay and now part of Kelvin National Park
- Part of Kuranda Forest Reserve, 1 ha in size, located near Cairns and now part of Kuranda National Park
- Part of Kuranda West Forest Reserve, 306 ha in size, located near Cairns and now part of Kuranda National Park
- Palmerston Forest Reserve, 0.4 ha in size, located near Atherton and now part of Wooroonooran National Park
- Trinity Forest Reserve, 2,243 ha in size, located near Cairns and now part of the Grey Peaks National Park.
* Have you visited any of the affected areas? Is this a good move? Comment below.
