Conservationists unite to horse riders to call for State Government to protect former logging forests

The logging licenses on 10 South East Queensland State Forests have expired and an alliance of recreation and conservation groups is calling the state government to act in the interest for future generations.

Calling for funding to develop the Deongwar State Forest are Claire Tolcher and Nikki Moffat. (Photo: Rob Williams)

Conservationists and horse riders have joined forces to call for the Queensland Government to convert 10 State Forests into protected areas that can be used for recreation and environmental protection.

The forests are scattered across the Darling Downs, Sunshine Coast, Somerset and South Burnett regions and all had logging licenses that expired last year.

Claire Tolcher from the Australian Trail Horse Riders Association singled out the Deongwar State Forest near Ravensbourne in the Toowoomba region as an example of forest that would have broad appeal for both conservation and recreation.

The 4800-hectare forest has a diverse range of animal and plants species, and is home to koala and the great gliders

“Deongwar is a magnificent forest to ride our horses in, but there’s nowhere to park our horse floats, and tracks are limited – a shame because we would love to hold regular trail rides there for our members and importantly ensure access for all horse riders,” she said.

Ms Tolcher’s group supports clubs that run events all over the country, for thousands of horse trail riders every year.

“We have limited places to ride, hike and enjoy nature.

Calling for funding to develop the Deongwar State Forest are (from left) Claire Tolcher, with George, and Nikki Moffat and Lynn Krisanski, with Firefly. (Photo: Rob Williams)

“It would be wonderful for our region if the parks service was to be properly resourced and tasked with managing a new park at Deongwar for all to respectfully enjoy.

“We support the continued recreational use of these forests and urge the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation to ensure horse trails and other activities remain open while the transition to conservation park occurs and beyond.

“We support improved funding for park management, including a greatly increased budget for active conservation and recreation management, and community consultation, in conservation and national parks.”

Before the 2024 Queensland election, Labor had committed to phasing out hardwood harvesting in about half of the state forests under its South East Queensland Forest Agreement.

Nikki Moffat from Protect Beautiful Queensland, a nonpartisan alliance of conservation, land management, tourism, and recreation groups, said it was unclear if the new government would follow suit.

“There are not enough places to take our kids camping, to explore and get into nature. New conservation and national parks would create opportunities for people in SEQ,” she said.

“We are just so excited that there might be some new protected areas that can be created.” If Australia is to meet its national conservation targets, Queensland must double the amount of land under protection, according to the PBQ.

But this costs money and Ms Moffat is calling on the Queensland Government to invest about $100 million for new rangers, and to build the paths, car parks, and amenities to support recreation in the new conservation parks.

She said it was a shame that none of the $440 million earmarked under the LNP’s Destination 2045 Plan would be spent on new parks.

“Queensland’s population is only going to increase and we will need places to get out to the bush, to camp and hike, to ride horses and enjoy nature,” she said.

“It is a rite of passage for Queenslanders.”

Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Conservationists unite to horse riders to call for State Government to protect former logging forests