IN an effort to further conservation efforts, 140 islands or parts thereof within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park have been added to Queensland’s protected areas estate.
The additional lands, with a combined total of 1,390 hectares, form part of the Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project.
The project increases reef island protection, by acquiring or transferring high conservation value islands, or parts thereof, to add to Queensland’s protected area estate, ensuring endangered and of-concern ecosystems and habitat for important species such as green and flatback turtles, seabirds and shorebirds are protected for future generations.
Lands secured under this project contain significant conservation values, and their dedication as protected area estate ensures their ecological values are preserved.
The additional areas are secured by purchasing leasehold properties, including non-operational leases, and land reserves adjacent to national parks, and by transferring ecologically valuable unallocated state land to protected area estate.
The Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project complements the acquisition of the 1,600ha Spadely Station on Curtis Island late last year.
The purchase of Spadely Station, hailed as a win by the state’s conservation groups, ensures ongoing protection for Curtis Island’s estuarine wetlands, migratory bird habitat, threatened fauna species and nesting habitat for the vulnerable flatback turtle.
Queensland’s terrestrial protected areas currently cover more than 14.5 million hectares or 8.39% of the state’s total land area.
The State Government has acquired more than 410,000 hectares and earmarked it for future inclusion in the protected areas estate.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Linard said the government is committed to protecting the reef and the wide variety of species that call it home.
“Through this project, we are protecting vital ecosystems and habitats for species like green and flatback turtles, seabirds and shorebirds,” she said.
“Including these pristine locations in protected areas will further preserve their conservation values and ensure our wildlife will thrive.
“We are not about to rest – my department continues work to identify other parcels of land that can be acquired and added to our already impressive protected areas estate, ensuring they are protected for the benefit of the environment and our community.”
Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat said the expansion of the protection zones is wonderful news.
“This is wonderful news for nature and communities in several Queensland regions – more island ecosystems protected as national parks for all Queenslanders to enjoy,” he said.
“From Cairns to Mackay and down to Gladstone, the Great Barrier Reef’s island and coastal national parks will now be more connected and this will help ensure their health into the future.
“Queensland has spectacular, unique landscapes and they need to be cared for. Well-funded protected areas are vitally important and it’s great to see leadership from this Government towards the important goal of doubling Queensland’s protected areas estate.”
In addition to dedicating these islands as protected area, the State Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project is also funding, where necessary, their rehabilitation.
Demolition contractors are currently removing old, dilapidated structures and plant and equipment from St Bees Island. This follows from the clean-up of the former resort on Wild Duck Island in August 2023.
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