Polin Waterparks
Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…
read moreMore than 366,000 hectares has been added to Queensland’s protected area estate with the dedication of 10 properties as protected areas, leading to the creation of three national parks, five new resources reserves, one new conservation park and three expanded areas.
Queensland National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said the new protected areas included the abundant wetlands of Wairuna station which protect the headwaters of the mighty Burdekin River in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
He explained “the largest of these wetlands is Lake Wairuna, which is listed in the Directory of Important Wetlands Australia and is now part of Girringun National Park.
“Wairuna is one of the Palaszczuk Government’s highest priorities for climate change resilience, providing suitable habitat for several threatened and other priority plant and animal species, including the endangered southern cassowary.”
Dr Miles said the expansion of Queensland’s protected area estate was made possible thanks to the joint purchase of these properties in central and north Queensland by the Federal and Queensland Governments.
Total purchase price for the 10 former grazing properties was $23,083,281.
Dr Miles added “thanks to these additions Queensland’s protected area estate has grown from 7.68% to 7.92% since 2015.
“Queensland is home to extraordinary landscapes and native species, and our goal is to eventually increase Queensland’s protected areas estate to 17%.
“We know climate change will place increasing pressure on Queensland’s environment, affecting plants, animals and ecosystems.
“By creating more national parks and reserves, government can develop strategies to manage them to maintain healthy habitats and build resilience to climate change.
“Effective management will give flora and fauna the best chance of survival as Queensland gets hotter.
“The purchased properties are important habitat for threatened or endangered species such as the southern cassowary, glossy black-cockatoo, brush-tailed rock-wallaby, and northern quoll.
“Through acquisition, we are ensuring high conservation values are protected and maintained for future generations to explore and enjoy,” he said.
Michelle Prior, President of the National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ), said national parks were recognised as a key strategy in nature conservation, commenting “NPAQ congratulates both the State and Federal government for connecting and protecting Queensland’s natural heritage.
“Queensland’s protected areas are critical in preventing extinctions of some of the world’s threatened mammals, birds and amphibians. NPAQ is pleased to see progress in expanding the protected area estate.”
Dr Miles said the expansion of the state’s protected area estate would be complemented by up to 31 new frontline ranger jobs being created over the next four years across Queensland. Up to 21 of these new ranger jobs are expected to be in place by the end of next June.
Three new national parks:
• Expedition National Park south-west of Bauhinia, 19,230 hectares in size. The property ‘Bedourie’ was added to Expedition.
• Littleton National Park east of Croydon, 79,444 hectares in size.
• Rungulla National Park south of Forsayth, 118,500 hectares in size.
Two expanded existing national parks:
• Girringun National Park, north-west of Ing hectaresm, increased from 208,595 hectares in size to 277,868 total hectares. This addition was formerly part of the property ‘Wairuna’.
• Wondul Range National Park, near Toowoomba, increased from 3555 hectares to 14,694 total hectares. The properties ‘Badgery’ and ‘Apsey–12 Mile’ were added to Wondul Range NP.
New conservation park:
• Girringun Conservation Park north-west of Ingham, 6892 hectares in size. This was formerly part of the property ‘Wairuna’.
Five new resources reserves:
• Belmah Resources Reserve east of Emerald, 2046 hectares in size. This was formerly the property ‘Belmah’.
• Canyon Resources Reserve north of Einasleigh, 48,622 hectares in size. This was formerly the property ‘The Canyon’.
• Girringun Resources Reserve north-west of Ing hectaresm, 335 hectares in size,. This was formerly part of the property ‘Wairuna’.
• Littleton Resources Reserve east of Croydon, 155 hectares in size. This was formerly the property ‘Littleton’.
• Rungulla Resources Reserve south of Forsayth, 11,007 hectares in size. The properties ‘Eight Mile’, ‘Gilbert River’ and ‘Rungulla’ became the new park.
One expanded existing resources reserve:
• Expedition Resources Reserve, south-west of Bauhinia, increased from 2930 hectares in size to 3060 total hectares.
Image: Currawinya National Park (top) and Girringun National Park (below), courtesy Robert Ashdown/Queensland Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.
1st November 2016 - LAMINGTON NATIONAL PARK TO OFFER ECO-FRIENDLY SAFARI TENTS
27th May 2016 - QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT PROTECTS INTEGRITY OF NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM WITH NEW CONSERVATION LEGISLATION
20th May 2016 - NEW LAWS FOR NATIONAL PARKS RECOGNISE TRADITIONAL OWNERS AND IMPROVE TENURE RESOLUTION ON CAPE YORK
18th April 2016 - INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY OPENS OLKOLA NATIONAL PARK TO TOURISM
23rd September 2015 - GULF OF CARPENTARIA TOURISM BOOST FROM WETLANDS PARK
17th June 2015 - QUEENSLAND’S FIRST BATCH OF NATIONAL PARK DECLARATIONS SINCE 2012
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
Polin was founded in Istanbul in 1976, and has since grown into a leading company in the waterparks industry. Today Polin is one of the world leaders in the design, production, and installation of…
read moreHumanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…
read morePricemark supplies a wide range of custom branded membership & RFID access products for the Health & Leisure Industry.
read moreFluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…
read moreTPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…
read moreAs of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd. Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing. 19th July 2018 - ENTA…
read moreiEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…
read moreABOUT Again Faster is a Brisbane based, Australian owned supplier of strength and conditioning and functional fitness equipment. With nearly 10 years experience in the Australian market, we are…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!