Cape York Peninsula acquisition is welcome addition to First Nations’ land ownership and management

The Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) welcomes today’s announcement by Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon, about the purchase of Bramwell Station, the latest acquisition under the Cape York Tenure Resolution Program. 

Jon Ferguson, Nature Campaigner at QCC said, “This purchase is a win for nature. It is a win for Indigenous-led conservation. And, it is a win for the Wuthathi and Atambaya Peoples, whose land will be protected and returned to them.

“It demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Palaszczuk Government in protecting one of Queensland’s, and Australia’s, most naturally and culturally significant regions in partnership with First Nations people.

Bramwell Station is a 131,900 hectare property that consists of 25 ecosystems that are underrepresented in Queensland’s protected area network, including two ecosystems - lowland wet tropical rainforests and open woodlands - which are threatened.  It is also the habitat for many rare and threatened species of plants and animals including the Palm Cockatoo.

As the second large land acquisition so far in 2022, the purchase of Bramwell Station is exactly the kind of action that is needed to reach Queensland’s protected area target as set out in the Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030. 

It is also an important step towards delivering on the Strategy’s commitment to Indigenous-led conservation and will be a boost to the flourishing Cape York Indigenous Ranger network.

For further information and comment contact: 

Jon Ferguson, 07 3846 7833