Queensland’s national parks to keep growing

Queensland premier David Crisafulli has committed to expanding the footprint of the state’s national parks more in a four-year term than the former government did in a decade after announcing a near 9000ha expansion of the state’s protected areas.

Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell and Premier David Crisafulli at Daisy Hill Koala Centre on Sunday morning. Picture Lachie Millard

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has committed to expanding the state’s national parks more in a four-year term than the former government did in a decade after announcing a near 9000ha expansion of protected areas.

The government revealed five former forest reserves had been upgraded to national parks and 18 new nature refuges established. More than two-thirds of the land was in the state’s tropics.

Mr Crisafulli said only 7.55 per cent of the state was considered protected land when the came into power in October, and it was now 8.59 per cent.

“Over 10 years, I saw a lot of talk about environmentalism, but not a lot of delivery,” he said.

“I believe that we can increase it, at effectively 2.5 times the rate, but maybe a little better as well.”

Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman noted the acquisitions were only possible due to the $262.5m commitment for protected areas expansion by the Palaszczuk Labor government in 2022.

“We are calling for this ambition to be matched with funding in the upcoming Queensland budget,” he said.

“These funds are almost all expended or committed, so the real test for the Crisafulli government is whether they will add to this funding in the next budget.”

Last week, the government released nine new gas exploration sites.

Mackenzie Scott