LNP commitment for 150 new rangers welcomed by environment peak body

Queensland's peak environment group has welcomed a new commitment from the state LNP to fund an additional 150 rangers in the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers should it win next month's election.

The Queensland Conservation Council said today's commitment would help address historic under-resourcing of the state's National Parks management compared with other Australian states.

Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said:

Queensland has the most beautiful National Parks in the world, but to truly shine they need to be actively managed by skilled rangers.

Today’s commitment from the LNP to invest in 150 new ranger positions will go a long way towards ensuring Queensland’s National Parks are free of weeds and feral pests, and well-maintained for visitors and future generations. 

It is also encouraging to see more ranger positions announced within the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers. Nobody understands how to respect and care for Country better than Queensland’s First Nations people, who have been custodians of the land for many thousands of years. 

Recognition of, and investment in, First Nations knowledge, expertise and connection to Country is vital to reversing the tragic decline in biodiversity we are seeing across the state.

Increasing the number of Queensland rangers is hugely important, but we also need to drastically expand our protected areas estate to safeguard our natural heritage for future generations.

We are calling on both parties to release their plans to protect nature in Queensland, including expanding and funding our national parks, stopping out of control deforestation, and tackling the extinction crisis across the state.

Banner image: Group of Indigenous rangers undertaking leadership training, Innisfail, 2023
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