National parks for people and nature

Queensland boasts some of Australia’s most iconic national parks, including five World Heritage sites. The park system includes the lagoons of Rinyirru National Park (Lakefield) on Cape York and the deep gorges of Boodjamulla National Park (Lawn Hill) in the state’s far north-west.

National parks provide a vital haven for native wildlife and are highly valued by Queenslanders as a place to spend time in the outdoors with family and friends. A 2012 State Government survey found that the parks receive 51 million domestic visits per year, with 67 percent of Queenslanders reporting that they had visited a national park in the past year. The state’s national parks are a powerful drawcard for tourists from across Australia and around the world. Domestic and international visitors to Queensland’s national parks are estimated to contribute more than AU $4.4billion to the state economy each year.

In 2017, Galaxy Research found that support for Queensland’s national parks remains very strong with 84 percent of respondents indicating that more land should be protected in national parks and reserves, with three quarters stating that 20 percent or more of Queensland should be protected.

Expanding and better managing Queensland’s national parks will create new tourism and employment opportunities for regional communities and help to safeguard the state’s native wildlife.

Ask our politicians to grow our Outback national park network

Well-managed national parks are vital for nature conservation in Queensland, safeguarding habitat for our unique wildlife. National parks are also much-loved by the many Queenslanders who regularly enjoy getting out and exploring our diverse state.

But investment in new national parks has stalled and Queensland is now lagging seriously behind other states.

More than 80 percent of Queenslanders would like to see greater investment into our national park network, through the creation of new, well-managed national parks*.

Expanding and better managing our national parks will give more Queenslanders a chance to get out and explore nature, while offering new opportunities for tourism ventures - leading to job creation in rural and remote areas. It would also mean protecting more precious habitat for the native plants and animals of our Outback to thrive in.

Sign the petition to Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Deputy Premier Steven Miles, CC your local MP, asking them to create opportunities for people and nature in Outback Queensland by expanding our Outback national park network.

*Galaxy Research, November 2017

Sign the National Parks Petition

    Dear Meaghan Scanlon, Steven Miles, Deb Frecklington, David Janetzki and Sam O'Connor,

    I’m one of more than 80 percent of Queenslanders who’d like to see greater investment into our national park network, through the creation of new, well-managed national parks. (Galaxy Research, November 2017)

    Well-managed national parks are vital to protect nature and save our threatened species. They also help connect us to nature, providing places to relax and unwind.

    But investment in new Outback national parks has stalled and Queensland is now lagging seriously behind other states.

    Expanding and better managing our national parks will give more Queenslanders a chance to get out and explore nature, while offering new opportunities for tourism, leading to job creation in rural and remote areas.

    The health of our Outback is under threat. Feral animals and noxious weeds are spreading rapidly, while destructive fires threaten property and nature. I want to see more investment in programs that are proven to help both people and nature.

    That’s why I call on you to invest in growing our network of well-managed national parks.

     

    Yours faithfully,
    [Your name will be automatically added]

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