We welcome the news that 2,548 hectares of former State Forest, including Ferny Forest on the Sunshine Coast, will be permanently protected from logging, grazing and mining.

A motion to start the process for the creation of these protected areas went through Queensland Parliament on Wednesday 11 October, 2023.

It is great to see the Palaszczuk Government taking actions consistent with its promise to end native forest logging in the region and double Queensland’s protected areas network to 17% of the state.

This is a great first step for endangered greater gliders, koalas and dozens of threatened species and ecological communities that rely on these forest ecosystems.

There is up to 70,000 hectares of public native forests in SEQ available for logging. We are calling on the Palaszczuk government to protect all public native forests across the region before October next year in line with previous commitments and policy.

Conservation groups have today welcomed the Queensland Government's continued investment in joint management of national parks on Cape York Peninsula and highlighted the importance of the $14.8 million funding for joint management in achieving state and national targets.

A coalition of environment groups has released a joint letter calling on the Queensland Government to urgently improve its emissions reduction targets following today’s declaration that Australia will face hotter and drier conditions as a result of an El Niño event this summer.

The joint letter – signed by 14 groups representing more than 931,500 Queenslanders – calls on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to strengthen Queensland’s emissions reduction targets to at least 60% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 90% below 2005 levels by 2035.

These targets would bring Queensland in line with the ambition of other states and closer to what climate science shows is the minimum required for Queensland to do its part to hold warming to 1.5°C.

A new report to be launched on the Sunshine Coast today shows koalas face an existential threat from urban sprawl and greenfield development in South East Queensland.

The Holding the Line report (PDF 6mb), commissioned by Queensland Conservation Council, shows the new update to the ShapingSEQ regional plan risks taking one of Australia’s fastest growing regions below the 'bare minimum' international benchmark of 30% bushland coverage. Almost 6% of bushland is at risk of being lost to urban sprawl and new developments over the planning time period.

Expert analysis released today shows consolidation and well-designed infill can deliver all the housing that South East Queensland needs, with fewer costs and better social outcomes than urban sprawl. Commissioned by Queensland Conservation Council, the independent report from SGS Economics and Planning (PDF 3mb) provides a welcome injection of impartial and expert analysis to the housing debate.

The State Government is currently updating the SEQ Regional Plan in response to the housing crisis and growing population, with SEQ expected to grow to over 6 million people over the coming two decades.

Wind farm planning review needs to deliver for nature and communities

2 August 2023

Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) welcomes the review of the regulatory framework for wind farms in Queensland announced today. 

Renewable energy is a huge opportunity for Queensland, but the current wind farm code, State Code 23, does not require meaningful community engagement, or provide protection for valuable biodiversity.

“We can have both renewable energy and thriving biodiversity in Queensland. Making sure our planning frameworks deliver renewable energy and protect Queensland’s unique nature is the only way that we can reach a safe climate future” QCC Energy Strategist Clare Silcock said.

“QCC has been calling for planning reforms for some time, and we are very pleased that the Government has announced this review. We look forward to seeing more detail on Monday, when the proposed changes will be released.” Ms Silcock said.

“We need to see biodiversity protected, through a State Code 23 which works with the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act reform to guide renewable energy development away from valuable biodiversity.” Ms Silcock said.

“However, we are concerned that community consultation is left off the list of objectives released today. Better community engagement needs to be written into the planning frameworks so that all projects can deliver long term benefits for Queenslanders.” Ms Silcock said. 

“We also call on the Government to act on the broader planning review flagged in the Energy and Jobs Plan. We need to streamline the process for large-scale solar so that there is a consistent and comprehensive assessment for developments to make sure solar also delivers for nature and communities.” Ms Silcock said.

Environment groups from across four states have welcomed progress on the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, saying the new agreement has the potential to move us beyond the unworkable barriers and delay tactics of the past decade.

Queensland Energy Minister Mick de Brenni has today confirmed that renewable energy now provides a quarter of the Sunshine State’s electricity. The Minister also highlighted during budget estimates that Queenslanders are enjoying the cheapest bills in the country, largely due to the State Government’s $550 electricity rebate.

Local conservationists have welcomed the announcement from Minister for Environment Leanne Linard of a new national park near Hughenden.

North Queensland Conservation Council Coordinator Crystal Falknau said:

"It's great to see one of north Queensland's hidden gems getting the attention it needs.

"These places are really important, culturally as well as for biodiversity conservation. Natural assets attract people to our region and we love to see our national parks celebrated."

Queensland Conservation Council is calling for the State Government’s South East Queensland draft regional plan to protect our native forests and the koalas, owls and other wildlife that calls it home.

The new plan - released for public consultation today - sets the rules around development in the state's south-east, which is expected to grow to accommodate a population of 6 million by 2046.

The plan proposes that 70% of development will take place within the existing urban footprint, while 30% will involve expansion into new areas.