QLD clears 323,676ha of native forest and bushland in a year, threatening koalas

New data released today shows 323,676 hectares of native forest and bushland - the equivalent of 43,600 Suncorp Stadiums - has been cleared in just one year, a devastating result for Queensland’s native animals. 

The new Statewide Landcover and Trees Survey has shown that while the overall extent of clearing was down 7% in the latest reporting period, Queensland is still clearing hundreds of thousands of hectares every year, primarily for pasture. 

This deforestation puts iconic native species like koalas, quolls and gliders on the fast track to extinction, and threatens Queensland exports to the European Union as it cracks down on deforestation.

Queensland Conservation Council nature campaigner Natalie Frost said: 

We are still losing hundreds of thousands of hectares of forest every year, it’s heartbreaking. 

Deforestation is still having a devastating impact on the habitat of the creatures we love in Queensland, with koalas, gliders and quolls all pushed to the brink of extinction. 

While we know the majority of landholders do the right thing, clearing for pasture is responsible for a massive 88% of all clearing. 

This is just not good enough. This result makes it more likely that the European Union will still consider Australia a deforestation hotspot and act to restrict Queensland imports.

In spite of the significant media focus, clearing for renewable energy projects still accounts for a tiny amount of clearing. Renewable energy clearing is just a small part of the clearing for infrastructure category, itself only 0.68% of total clearing. 

The greatest concern for Queensland's animals and plants is that clearing of remnant forest has increased significantly, with 65,776 hectares cleared. This represents an increase of 11,640 hectares over the previous year. 

Koalas, quolls and gliders we love are losing their homes year on year, while we wait for stronger enforcement of illegal clearing and better incentives to stop deforestation. 

Minister Plibersek should take immediate action against those who undertake widespread clearing in areas where Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) occur. 

In the past year alone we have referred 10 instances of deforestation totalling more than 2,000 hectares to the federal environment department for assessment in a joint investigation by QCC, Wilderness Society and Greenpeace.

At a state level, Despite a record $9.8m investment in monitoring and compliance in last year’s budget there was still 24,500 hectares of deforestation that was potentially illegal.

The Queensland Government must move ahead urgently with their Natural Capital Industry Plan to incentivise the protection of these forests, close the loopholes in the Vegetation Management Act, and start cracking down on illegal clearing. 

The LNP must also make clear where they stand on the massive extent of deforestation in Queensland, and how they will stand up for nature should they form government in October.

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