Taking refuge: More funding needed for QLD’s unsung nature heroes

As the Queensland Budget is just around the corner, we want to share with you a story about Protect Beautiful Queensland supporters Andrew and Gabriela, reminding us why funding for nature isn’t just about numbers— it’s about people. Queensland needs healthy and well cared for private protected areas to reach the goal of protecting 17% of the state.

Meet Gabriela and Andrew—

A few years ago in the middle of the COVID pandemic, Andrew and Gabriela were looking for a weekend escape.What they found was a 43-hectares of vine thicket, a threatened ecosystem on Jinibara country now known as Dundas Nature Refuge, located near Fernvale, about 80 kilometres west of Brisbane.

They thought they were buying peace and quiet.

What they got was something much bigger: a haven for over 430 species and counting, a sanctuary bordering D’Aguilar National Park, and a new rhythm of weekends spent weeding, wandering, and watching the bush come alive..

“It’s amazing what you find on a walk through the rainforest. It’s never been intensively used for farming and is just a beautiful, natural place.”

“It keeps me fit, and is just enjoyable. You get time to be with yourself, and think through that which is important to you. I get a lot of work done out here too on the weekdays, there’s no distractions apart from the birds.”

Dundas Nature Refuge shares boundaries on the northern and western side of D’Aguilar National Park, and as there are no fences the wildlife move between park and nature refuge. Andrew estimates it takes at least 10 hours per week to control weeds and meet the requirements of the Nature Conservation Act. One grant of $25,000 gave him just seven days of contractor support— when what’s really needed is ongoing, hands-on help.

“That project had to have follow up work every month for years, otherwise there would be no point doing the work. The costs are significant.”

“For weed management you need people,” Andrew says. “We have an obligation to control them but it’s so expensive to get feet on the ground.”

Dundas Nature Refuge is one of 580+ nature refuges in Queensland whose caretakers deserve more support, as they contribute to the state’s targets. Private lands protected by passionate people who are holding the line for wildlife, ecosystems, and biodiversity.

But they can’t do it alone. As Queensland moves toward its goal of protecting 17% of the state’s land, we can’t afford to overlook the landholders already doing the work.

This budget is a chance to back them— with funding, with recognition, and with a plan.