New campaign maps the future for 50,000 hectares of SEQ State Forest

South East Queensland could be home to 50,000 hectares of new conservation parks, according to a report released today.

The Forests for Everyone campaign, backed by a coalition of recreation and conservation groups, will tonight unveil a pathway to secure the future of SEQ’s state forests.

Native forest logging officially ended across nearly 70,000 hectares of state forests between Noosa and the NSW border in late 2024. It was a major step forward – but around 50,000 hectares, home to endangered species such as greater gliders, remain without a plan.

The Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance's Forests for Everyone campaign calls on the State Government to protect these remaining forests and invest in recreational access and visitor facilities.

The new report sets out the way forward for SEQ’s state forests, and hundreds of people have already signed a petition urging the government to act. Comments from some Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance members and speakers at tonight’s event:

Protect Beautiful Queensland and Queensland Conservation Council campaigner Nicky Moffat

Forests for Everyone sees an opportunity to safeguard South East Queensland’s outdoor lifestyle with a network of parks and trails that get people outdoors while providing healthy homes for our endangered animals. It’s a win win.

There are not enough places to take our kids camping, to explore and get into nature. New conservation and national parks would create opportunities for people in SEQ.

Ms Moffat said the Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance was calling on Minister Powell to fund more parks and trails for all people to enjoy, and to protect the unique natural asset that makes SEQ what it is.

National Parks Association of Queensland chief executive officer Chris Thomas:

Queensland is a very big place, however four out of five Queenslanders currently live in South East Queensland. Add to that, the region’s population is expected to grow to 4.5 million by 2032, which presents an immediate challenge for housing, transport and health services, as well as for recreation. Where are all these extra Queenslanders going to go to enjoy the outdoors?

In many cases, our existing national parks and conservation parks are at or nearing capacity, particularly on weekends and in the holiday periods. Therefore, part of the solution has to be expanding our protected areas, so there are more places for people to visit.

Our state forests between Noosa and the New South Wales border, where logging has ceased, represent a once in a generation opportunity to create new national parks and conservation parks, without having to purchase land from the private sector. Furthermore, with these areas being so close to Brisbane, they would also be ideal tourism destinations, in preparation for the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

Protect Beautiful Queensland is calling for the protection of native State Forests in SEQ as either conservation or national park with First Nations consent and community input, including those listed below.

State Forests proposed for protection include:

• Beerburrum West
• Benarkin
• D’aguilar
• Deer Reserve
• Deongwar
• Diaper
• East Nanango
• Elgin Vale
• Imbil 1
• Jimna
• Mt Stanley 1
• Yabba

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