Policy priorities to protect Queensland’s nature
Queensland boasts some of the most outstanding natural and living cultural landscapes remaining in the world. From the dense forests of the Great Dividing Range to the outback rivers of the Channel Country and north to the Savannahs of the Gulf and Cape York, our State has a wealth of remarkable and diverse landscapes and is a global biodiversity hotspot.
Queenslanders love nature, with polling showing that 77% want more national parks, and 71% support a doubling of parks by 2030. These figures are supported by enthusiastic public use of national parks, with almost two thirds of Queenslanders having visited a national park in the last 12 months and over 90% saying national parks are important for their lifestyle. The expansion of protected areas is central to the outdoor recreation sector, which in turn delivers significant health and economic benefits for Queenslanders, and to Queensland’s tourism industry, a major pillar of our economy.
As Queensland positions itself as a leader in protected area growth, through its ambitious Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030, the creation of new parks presents an opportunity to dramatically enhance economic and lifestyle opportunities for Queenslanders who love the outdoors.
Protected area growth also presents opportunities to improve outcomes for land management at a time when agricultural activity is intensifying. With most of Queensland under private ownership and 88% used for primary production, working with the agricultural sector will be crucial in securing protection and management where it is most needed.
The leadership of First Nations peoples in consent, decision making and management of Country must increase. For this to be realised, a collaborative approach that involves First nations peoples, farmers, recreational users and local communities is needed to co-design policy, regional strategy and crucially, an investment framework.
To reach Queensland’s protected area target of 17%, increase recreational and eco-tourism opportunities, and return land back to First Nations peoples, more investment is needed in protected area growth and management.
Policy priorities for Queensland (2024-2028)
- Invest in private protected areas
- Continue to expand national parks
- Maintain Tenure Resolution Program
- Strengthen outdoor recreation
- Improve management across the protected area estate
