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Chris Thomas, the chief executive of the National Parks Association of Queensland, said there was a “huge amount” of international research showing that capping visitor numbers is an effective way to get good conservation and tourism outcomes for ecologically sensitive areas.

“This over-visitation at K’gari is clear from degradation of the unique natural environment but also in the number of unfortunate attacks on visitors from Wongari,” he said.

“The former government committed a much-needed $5m for additional rangers and compliance but without capping visitation this additional funding will only address the symptoms, not the cause, which is over-tourism.”

Read the entire article in The Guardian HERE.

Outrage as Gold Coast Council moves ahead with destructive cableway in World Heritage Area

4 December 2024

A coalition of environment groups are gravely concerned that the City of Gold Coast Council is pushing ahead with a cableway proposal in World Heritage listed Springbrook National Park without First Nations agreement or community consultation, and despite likely “devastating consequences” for threatened species and ecosystems.

Yesterday the Council voted to pursue an agreement with the Crisafulli Government over the cableway, which has been opposed for years by residents and conservationists as a threat to the area’s unique natural and cultural values.

Gecko Environment Council, along with Queensland Conservation Council and National Parks Association of Queensland is calling on the project to be scrapped and for the Crisafulli Government to commit to meaningful consultation with local communities before announcing plans for developments in and around protected areas.

Gecko Environment Council Campaigner Lois Levy said:

“As a conservationist involved in the original and subsequent cableway proposals all of which failed to recognise the environmental damage and safety risks of such a project, I urge Council to give up on this push.

“A cableway to Springbrook would significantly impact threatened species and increase risk of fire and landslip in the National Park. It would completely endanger the integrity of this small National Park which is home to exceptional wildlife and habitat.”

Gecko Environment Council is concerned that community consultation will be flawed.

“How can a community member make an informed decision with little information about the environmental, social, cultural and economic facts?” asks Ms Levy.

“Gecko urges Council to find another project to celebrate the unique natural and cultural values of our World Heritage listed National Parks. We strongly recommend investigating a world-class World Heritage Centre either at Springbrook or Mudgeeraba with the opportunity for locally-based tourism companies to take visitors to various sites in the hinterland.

“Even the Council’s own report says that cableways are nothing new to attract more visitors, but an internationally renowned World Heritage Centre may just do that. There is nothing like it in Queensland’s southeast.”

Queensland Conservation Council Protected Areas Campaigner Nicky Moffat said: 

“The City of Gold Coast Council needs to either come clean to the public on their plans, or preferably to abandon this flawed project. The public still don’t have the details of the cable car, where it will go, or who the proponent is.

“We know that the native title applicants for the study area are opposed, and the Council has committed $500,000 on a project that appears to be a non-starter because of the likely environmental impacts on Springbrook National Park, and lack of traditional owner consent.

“We are unclear on the position of the State Government. Premier Crisafulli has told QCC he will not support any cable car project in the Gold Coast hinterland that will damage the environment, so we are calling on him to publicly rule out support for any project that involves impacts within national parks, especially World Heritage areas, or proposals opposed by traditional owners.”

National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas said: 

“Tourism benefits greatly from our wonderful natural assets in Queensland, and brings visitors and prosperity to regions. But tourism in protected areas will be hindered by an approach that takes shortcuts around necessary community consultation.

“We urge the Crisafulli Government to have a more considered approach and to value the opinions and expertise of Traditional Owners, local residents, tour operators, conservationists, and the scientific community who all treasure this renowned world heritage area.”

The LNP Crisafulli government has appointed The Honourable Andrew Powell MP, Member for Glass House, as the Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Information in Queensland.

The addition of Tourism will see the department rebranded as the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).

Last week, the Charter Letters for the ministers were released. You can read the letter for the Minister for Environment and Tourism, and Science and Innovation HERE.

The Protect Beautiful Queensland (PBQ) alliance is pleased to welcome the Crisafulli Government after a suite of commitments to protect nature. Inherent to the privilege of leading Queensland is the responsibility to safeguard plants, animals and landscapes found nowhere else in the world.Much welcomed amongst LNP’s announcements was the commitment to ongoing support for the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program and the continued resolution of land tenure on Cape York.Expanding and properly managing protected areas in collaboration with Traditional Owners not only helps address the biodiversity crisis but also delivers employment outcomes and protects billions of dollars generated by travellers drawn to Queensland’s natural and cultural wonders.The LNP have announced support for:

• the expansion and increased management of national parks,
• greater investment in private protected areas,
• environmental stewardship payments for farmers and other landholders,
• continuation of the Cape York Tenure Resolution Program,
• increased support for outdoor recreation.

We look forward to working with the new government on delivery of its commitments, developing time-bound targets and shaping new policy.

Polling conducted by Protect Beautiful Queensland earlier this year highlighted that 77% of Queenslanders are in favour of expanding national parks. This data underscores the public’s desire for greater conservation efforts and the protection of Queensland’s unique natural heritage.

Ensuring parks are kept healthy and accessible will allow more Queenslanders to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that defines the state.

Queensland’s natural environments play a pivotal role in the lives of thousands of residents and form the backbone of the state’s tourism industry. This term of government will be crucial in delivering biodiversity targets that safeguard more of the treasured places Queenslanders hold dear. In 2022, the Australian Government endorsed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, part of an international initiative to combat the extinction crisis and the ongoing decline of natural environments. This framework includes the ambitious 30 by 30 goal: protecting 30 percent of both land and sea by 2030.

In 2023, all Australian states and territories, including Queensland, pledged to meet this national target. PBQ eagerly anticipates collaborating with the Crisafulli Government to support the establishment of more protected areas, enhance environmental stewardship and assist in meeting international targets. As part of this commitment, Protect Beautiful Queensland has proposed a time-bound policy agenda to double the state’s protected areas to 17%, marking a significant step toward Australia’s overall commitment of protecting 30% of its land by 2030. For Queensland, the most biodiverse state in the country, this goal is both achievable and widely supported, representing a contribution of four percent to the national target. Protect Beautiful Queensland is a non-partisan, evidence-based alliance that provides decision-makers with policy and delivery solutions to support the protection of Queensland’s natural places. By working together, we can ensure the preservation of Queensland’s unique and irreplaceable natural heritage for generations to come. For more information, please visit https://protectqueensland.org.au/

The LNP has announced a major step forward for Queensland’s national parks with one of the biggest boosts to rangers and environmental management in Queensland’s history.The More Rangers, Better Neighbours policy includes an additional 150 park rangers to focus on invasive species management and better preserve Queensland’s natural environment.Chris Thomas, CEO of National Parks Association of Queensland said Queensland’s national park investment had lagged behind other states and jurisdictions, impacting its capacity and capability to manage parks effectively.“NPAQ welcomes this critical investment in rangers by the LNP, it is essential we invest in park management to protect them for generations to come and to provide world class nature destinations,” Mr Thomas said.“Increasing investment is critically important for enabling QPWS to maintain the natural and cultural values that parks were established to protect, as well as for providing and maintaining an expanding and diverse range of suitable, safe and sustainable visitor experiences.“NPAQ has played a pivotal role in the creation of many national parks in Queensland and has a specific mission to ensure the protection, expansion, effective management and presentation of national parks and other protected areas across Queensland.”View Shadow Environment Minister Sam O’Connor’s video announcement and Chris Thomas’s comment on Facebook. Or read more HERE.

Marking another critical milestone in Binna Burra’s ongoing recovery from the devastating bushfires five years ago, the multi-million-dollar contract was signed by Binna Burra Lodge Chair, Steve Noakes and Vice Chair, Hal Morris and by Ian Morrison from IQ Construct. Susanne Cooper, the President of the NPAQ, provided the official witness signature on the contract, describing the event as ‘… a meaningful, enjoyable occasion.’Read more at Binna Burra Lodge

Confronting new video evidence shows logging occurring in the habitat of endangered greater gliders in publicly owned native forests, shortly after the government promised a greater glider forest park would be created.Read more at Queensland Conservation Council

Demand for nature-based tourism experiences has grown. Visitors are choosing to connect more with Australia’s many unique natural and cultural assets.Read more at Austrade.

Read more at The Pineapple.

Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gZGnigNf

On 26 June 2024, the Miles Labor Government released the terms of reference for a landmark 30-year Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework, backed by a $200 million package to support the future of the industry.The Queensland Sustainable Timber Industry Framework will include six priority areas:

• Priority Area 1 – Securing sustainable timber supply.
• Priority Area 2 – Adding value to forest and timber supply chains.
• Priority Area 3 – Realising the potential of forest-related markets for industry, landholders and the environment.
• Priority Area 4 – A future forest workforce and strong timber industry.
• Priority Area 5 – Growing Queensland’s protected area estate.
• Priority Area 6 – Fostering First Nations forestry employment and enterprise opportunities.

NPAQ was part of the former Native Timber Advisory Panel, and CEO Chris Thomas will be further assessing the framework to understand what it means for protected areas and rangers.
Read Here

In partnership with Cape York Traditional Owner groups, the Australian and Queensland Labor Governments have nominated the Cultural Landscapes of Cape York Peninsula to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.Images supplied by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

“While we’ve seen great progress on land acquisition for national parks, we need to see a commensurate effort in management funding and support for private protected areas,” Mr Piccone told Mackenzie Scott for the Australian.

We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees, but it can certainly help grow and protect some. NPAQ’s CEO Chris Thomas has scoured the State Government’s newly released budget to reveal the wins for nature and national parks. 
Read here

19th MayFor decades, NPAQ has been a staunch advocate for increased funding for environmental interpretation and ranger recruitment and retention to better manage Queensland’s protected areas.Yesterday, those efforts paid off when the Miles Government announced an additional $14.65 million investment over the next three years to reopen the Eurong Information Centre on World-Heritage-listed K’gari, formerly known as Fraser Island…“Such centres act as an important hub for rangers to engage with the public and promote the environmental and cultural values of protected areas, as well as to manage visitor expectations and experience,” says NPAQ’s CEO Chris Thomas…
Read Here

18th AprilThe State government’s landmark acquisition of 352,589-ha Vergemont Station is an unprecedented win for western Queensland’s threatened species and a call to action for nature lovers and adventurers…“This landmark purchase shows what’s achievable when people work together to protect vital, often unrepresented habitat,” said National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas.
Read Here

8th AprilState and federal governments have told the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) the Borumba Pumped Hydro will be operating by 2030, although environmental approvals are not in place…”As Conondale NP will be inundated slightly we are watching Borumba Pumped Hydro closely to ensure there is no net impact on the national parks,” Mr Thomas said.
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4th AprilThe protection of the Great Barrier Reef has been further boosted by the addition of 140 islands or parts thereof within the marine park to Queensland’s protected areas estate.The additional lands, with a combined total of 1,390 hectares, form part of the Miles Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project…”These natural habitats provide refuge to countless plant and animal species, many of which are endangered or at risk of extinction,” said Mr Thomas
Read Here

26th AprilThe National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) is pleased to formally voice its support for the upcoming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum, which is set to take place in late 2023…
Read Here

22nd FebruaryABC Radio recording The fight between eco tourism developers and conservationists over national parks is intensifying, with concerns the public will be shut out of more pristine areas…
Listen Here

8th JulyNPAQ is painting the town in celebration of our 90th Anniversary On July 22nd Brisbane City Hall and King George Square will be lit up in blue and green to celebrate the National Parks Association of Queensland’s (NPAQ) 90th Anniversary. As NPAQ is Queensland’s oldest environmental not-for-profit organisation and one of the oldest in Australia, it occupies a unique place in our history. “National parks are so important for many reasons, but particularly our health. That’s why we are using the colours blue and green for this momentous occasion, to highlight the importance of blue and green spaces for our wellbeing” said NPAQ President, Susanne Cooper…
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22nd JuneThe Palaszczuk Government committed a record breaking $262 million over 4 years to the growth and management of Queensland national parks yesterday.”This budget allocation for expansion and management of protected areas was the largest ever by any state government in Australia and the biggest in the history of Queensland or any other State.  So, a record-breaking day!” said NPAQ President, Susanne Cooper.”This much needed funding will support the expansion of national parks in Queensland and is a good step towards Queensland achieving the international standard of 17% projected area estates by 2032.”…
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5th AprilA new alliance made up of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, Ecotourism Australia, Queensland First Nations Tourism Council, Queensland Conservation Council, Pew Charitable Trusts and the National Parks Association Queensland – is calling on funding in this year’s budget to establish new national parks and private protected areas; ensure effective management of existing and new protected areas; and to support exceptional nature-based tourism activities…
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4th MarchThe President of the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), Susanne Cooper, was not surprised by the results of a recent poll released by the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA).“The polls confirms – again – that Australians value the connection with, and quiet enjoyment of nature. National Parks provide the main opportunity for this.” Said Ms Cooper
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19th NovemberQueensland conservation groups today released a progress report on the growth of the state’s national parks and private reserves. The report reviews the implementation of the Queensland Government’s Protected Areas Strategy 2020-30 over the 12 months since the strategy was released in October 2020.In the strategy, the Palaszczuk Government sets out a vision for a ‘world class’ protected area system, including a promise to double the area of protected land in Queensland from 8.2% to 17%, an increase of 15 million hectares. However, over the past 12 months, the Queensland Government has only protected 15,699 hectares in new national parks and nature refuges…
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3rd NovemberStatement by leading tourism and conservation organisationsLeading tourism and conservation organisations support the Queensland Government’s vision of a world class protected area system and a vibrant and sustainable nature-based tourism industry, and have come together to call for increased investment to support expansion and effective management of the state’s protected areas…
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16th OctoberBee keeping in national parks is against the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 however, the QLD Government approved the preparation of legislative amendments to allow beekeeping to continue in national parks until 2044. NPAQ President, Susanne Cooper spoke with ABC about this decision…
Watch Here

18th MayLeaders of Queensland’s peak national parks and tourism organisations met in Brisbane last week to lay the foundations for improved understanding and collaboration to preserve, expand and present national parks and other protected areas across the state with better resourcing…
Read Here

24th FebruaryFive Queensland conservation groups have identified 175 properties with very high biodiversity value that could have been bought and protected since 2015, but were not, because the Queensland government has not budgeted for new national park acquisitions to service its 2015 promise to greatly expand parks and other protected areas…
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15th May…“Public submissions to the Committee show how much Queenslanders value North Stradbroke’s Island’s special environment and cultural heritage, and the overwhelming majority call for destructive sand mining to end by 2019 or earlier”, said Michelle Prior, President of the National Parks Association of Queensland…
Read Here

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January – Unavailable (published in Courier Mail)

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