What are the solutions?

Despite its extraordinary ecological values, Queensland has long suffered from under-investment in protecting nature and managing the threats to the Outback.

Having people actively manage the land is essential in the battle to address the threats of noxious weeds, feral animals and destructive fires.

Fortunately, Queensland has several existing programs with a proven track record of success which provide a strong foundation for protecting the Outback - but they need increased Government investment.

There are three key ways to help protect nature and support people in Outback Queensland.

National parks for people and nature

Iconic tourism destinations, vital havens for wildlife
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...
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Investing in Indigenous Rangers

Growing the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers program.
Outback Queensland's Indigenous people have had a continuous connection to country for more than 50,000 years. Cultural heritage and the natural environment are inseparable for Indigenous people, and Indigenous Ranger programs are established success stories and recognised as world-leading models for conservation. The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program provides funding and technical support to rangers in 17 communities across Queensland. Rangers employed through the program care for land and sea country using both traditional knowledge and modern science. They conduct species surveys, control introduced predators such as feral cats, and set small, controlled burns to reduce the risk of large, destructive wildfires. They also maintain tourism facilities and cultural sites. Indigenous Rangers are essential for caring for many of Queensland’s most ecologically and culturally significant places. Indigenous ranger programs provide significant benefits to remote communities where other forms of employment are scarce. In 2016, a return on investment analysis produced for Australia’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet found that every $1 invested in Indigenous land management...
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Investing in Nature Refuges

Supporting landholders to care for their land.
Nature refuges are a form of private protected area. They're a voluntary agreement between the Queensland Government and a private landholder, designed to protect the natural values of private land. Under a nature refuge agreement, the landholder commits to protecting the significant conservation values of their land, but compatible and sustainable use of the land is able to continue. The landholder can access modest funding for agreed conservation projects, such as fencing off sensitive areas from stock, management of feral animals and weeds or to install water infrastructure. The Nature Refuges Program is a highly-successful program and the fastest growing part of Queensland’s protected area network. Over the past decade, more than 500 Queensland landholders have chosen to dedicate part of their land for conservation, covering a total area of more than four million hectares. Among those are large pastoral stations, which account for more than 70 percent of Queensland’s private protected lands. Three of the largest nature refuges are on stations— Holroyd, Bulloo Downs, and Rutland Plains—and protect more than...
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Outback Queensland is the heart of our state and one of the last great regions of nature left on Earth. Its rugged and diverse landscapes support unique wildlife and hard-working families who rely on healthy landscapes.

But, the health and future of our living Outback is at risk. More hands-on work to remove feral animals and noxious weeds, as well as prevent destructive fires, is essential to sustain communities and safeguard nature.

There are three key ways to help protect our Outback:

1. Support landholders by expanding the Nature Refuges program.

2. Grow the successful Indigenous Ranger program.

3. Create new well managed National Parks for all Queenslanders.

Sign the petition to Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon and Deputy Premier Steven Miles, CC your local MP, asking them to invest in these important programs and deliver for people and nature of Outback Queensland.

Sign the Petition!

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

    I’m one of the 92 percent of Queenslanders who think our Outback is a big part of our state’s history, culture and identity*

    Outback Queensland’s diverse landscapes support unique wildlife and hard-working families on the land.

    Our Outback is also one of the last great regions of nature left on Earth.

    But the health of Outback Queensland is under threat. Feral animals and noxious weeds are spreading rapidly, while destructive fires threaten property and nature.

    There are three ways you can support people and nature in our Outback:

    1. Supporting landholders to care for their land by expanding the Nature Refuges program.
    2. Growing the successful Indigenous Rangers program
    3. Creating new well-managed National Parks for all Queenslanders to enjoy.

    I ask you to invest in these successful programs to support people and nature in Outback Queensland.

    (*Galaxy Research, November 2017)

     

    Yours faithfully,
    [Your name will be automatically added]

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