MEDIA RELEASE for October 23, 2017:  Species are threatened by major projects, not the other way around Peak environment group Queensland Conservation Council has responded to an extraordinary new report and media statement from the right-wing Institute of Public Affairs, which claims we should reduce our lists of threatened species, and undertake other radical steps around environmental laws. Continue reading

New government report shows an area the size of 550,000 soccer pitches was cleared in just one year in Queensland. Every second in Queensland, a tree is bulldozed and a native animal dies as a consequence.  This has to stop! Continue reading

Media Release October 5, 2017: New dramatic escalation in tree clearing in Queensland shows why stronger laws must be passed New data shows disastrous increase in deforestation / tree clearing rates, resulting in millions of native animals including our iconic koala being killed and injured Newman LNP Government’s gutting of tree laws 4 years ago a critical factor Campaign for stronger laws against tree clearing to be feature of the state election Continue reading

With sad stories around tree clearing, illegal waste dumping, questionable political donations, and the warmest winter on record, it’s past time Queensland had some good news for the environment. This month’s Renewable Energy Index, produced by Green Energy Markets and GetUp, shows Queensland now has more renewables jobs than New South Wales. The renewables sector employs around 6,500 Queenslanders. Acting Energy Minister Curtis Pitt called on the Prime Minister today to acknowledge that “Queensland is leading the nation in renewables investment and energy pricing outcomes.” Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE  20 September, 2017 Adani Coal Port pollution report shows wetlands contamination, begs more questions than it answers. Peak environment body Queensland Conservation Council has expressed alarm at formal evidence of coal pollution in the ecologically significant Caley Valley Wetlands, and has suggested this raises a series of questions about monitoring, enforcement and responsibility. Continue reading

“Un-Happy Threatened Species Day!” Conservation groups’ outrage at decimation of Queensland wildlife by out-of-control bulldozing of bushland Thursday 7th September is National Threatened Species Day, and an alliance of conservation groups and wildlife carers representing tens of thousands of Queenslanders are highlighting the impact of tree clearing on Queensland’s rare and endangered wildlife. Continue reading

For immediate Release 6 September 2017  Plastic Bag Ban and Container Refund Scheme Bill Becomes Law in Queensland  Boomerang Alliance and allies, Wildlife QLD, Queensland Conservation Council, Australian Marine Conservation Society, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Clean Up Australia, Plastic Bag Free Livingston and Householders Options to Protect the Environment (HOPE) have welcomed the unanimous passage of the Waste Reduction and Recycling Amendment Bill through the Queensland Parliament. The bill confirms a Plastic Bag Ban and Container Refund Scheme will be introduced into Queensland in July 2018. Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE for August 31, 2017 LNP Renewables Policy Statement lacking any positive energy Peak environment group Queensland Conservation Council has expressed major disappointment with the LNP’s Renewables and Energy Policy Statement, saying it perpetuates myths about wind and solar capacity, backs in Federal Coalition policy of new coal-fired power, and sends negative messages to renewables investors. Continue reading

MEDIA RELEASE for August 17, 2017 (pic Andrew Brooks) Nature a winner as Springvale Station takes another step towards permanent protection Peak environment group Queensland Conservation Council has strongly welcomed the cancelling of two alluvial mining leases on the Springvale Station on Cape York. Continue reading

The report released by Environmental Justice Australia overnight, ‘Toxic and terminal: How the regulation of coal-fired power stations fails Australian communities,’ shows the health risks we face from our needless reliance on coal. The report looks to 10 coal-fired power stations across Australia, including Gladstone and Stanwell in Queensland, and shows us that these stations are the biggest source of fine particle pollution in the country. This comes after issues with coal dust and coal-related pollution were in the Queensland media over the weekend. Australian pollution standards are less strict than those of China, the UK and the US. Our state regulators must change their policies to ones that support not only a livable climate but a clean and safe environment.  Continue reading