Yesterday on National Trees Day, the Queensland Government released the latest Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) report. The report shows 349,399 hectares of land was cleared during the reporting period of 2020-2021, cementing Queensland as the national leader in deforestation and continuing Australia’s unenviable international status as a hotspot for deforestation.

While welcoming the decrease in land clearing as shown in the 2020-2021 SLATS yesterday, the Wilderness Society and Queensland Conservation Council have recently acquired new footage, taken this year in Central Queensland, highlighting the devastating reality of broadscale land clearing. Land clearing and deforestation are still driving environmental destruction in Queensland.

Koalas face extinction if the six million residents projected to call South East Queensland home by 2046 are all housed in new detached housing estates.

Queensland Conservation Council has sounded the alarm that the future of our threatened species will be determined by how we build new homes.

Conservationists say the Queensland State Budget is a step in the right direction for threatened wildlife and the new protected areas they desperately need.

More than $215 million will be spent on national parks, both expanding the protected areas estate, funding its management and supporting co-management with First Nations Peoples.

The path to Queensland becoming a renewable energy powerhouse just got easier with the release of the draft Energy (Renewable Transformation and Jobs) Bill 2023. However, the Queensland Conservation Council says there is still a lot needed from the Palaszczuk Government to deliver the best outcomes for nature and communities in the renewable energy transition. 

“We are pleased that the Government has legislated the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, particularly the renewable energy targets of 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.” QCC Director Dave Copeman said. “It is great that this is backed up with a $500m investment in CleanCo. The Bill also answers some questions about how the transition will be managed, by setting up a process to define Renewable Energy Zones, make priority transmission investments and guarantee a future for fossil fuel workers.”

“Now we must see bipartisan support for the Energy Bill from the LNP. We will lose investment in Queensland, place communities at risk from climate change and uncoordinated development if we don’t have the LNP support for the Bill. We need Crisafulli to strongly support the Energy Bill, as he has supported the Energy and Jobs Plan.This matters, because Queensland power prices and climate emissions will drop when renewables are built and coal is closed.” Mr Copeman said.

“We desperately need this bipartisan support, because we are not on track to meet our international climate targets. We are building renewable energy too slowly. It has taken nearly 8 months for the Government to legislate the Energy and Jobs Plan, and it still doesn’t include a mechanism to ensure the renewable energy targets are met, or a target for emissions reduction from the energy sector.” Mr Copeman said. 

“This Bill is not the end of the job. It doesn’t provide any certainty on which areas will be declared Renewable Energy Zones, or how the Government will make sure the Renewable Energy Zones are informed by the wishes of the communities and Traditional Owners in the areas. 

“We also haven't seen further information from the Queensland Government on key actions in the Energy and Jobs Plan, particularly the review of the planning framework. This leaves Queensland industry, communities and nature struggling to get the information and planning they need to get the best out of the energy transition.”

Media Contact: Dave Copeman [email protected] 0408841595

The 2023 Queensland budget, released this week, has been an opportunity for the state to put its money where its mouth is when it comes to protecting our climate, communities and nature for future generations.

Overall this budget is extremely positive for the state. With record investment in long-term infrastructure for renewable energy projects, immediate cost-of-living relief on energy bills for all households, and funding to increase national parks and prevent land clearing, there are many things to celebrate.

Much of this has been funded by a modest increase in royalties on the superprofits of Queensland coal companies, meaning those who contributed most to the climate and cost of living crisis are finally helping pay for the renewable energy solutions.

The new Queensland Environment Minister will have big shoes to fill but also a significant portfolio of critical actions to deliver before the 2024 election.

QCC Director Dave Copeman said, "She will need to set new Qld Government climate targets to increase our climate emission reduction targets. A 30% by 2030 is inadequate to keep Queenslanders safe, and also out of date, as we are currently at 29% reduction in emissions already.  The Queensland Conservation Council is calling on the Minister to deliver stronger emissions targets in line with climate science. At the very least, we need a reduction of more than 60% from 2005 levels by 2030."

"She must change the law to ensure that the Government considers the climate impacts of new coal and gas projects in their environmental approvals.

"The Environment Minister needs to deliver further action to protect endangered species and critical habitat. Landclearing is still out of control, with 400,000 hectares cleared annually in the most recent report.This Environment Minister must deliver greater protections so the koala and greater glider has a chance for survival.

"This minister will have to land a strong independent Environmental Protection Agency before the next election, so that we have environmental laws and agencies that can protect the environment and the places we love.

"We are facing a climate crisis, and a linked extinction crisis. Together, these threaten our lifestyle, our economy, our homes, and the world we live in. Environment is not a small or junior portfolio, as it is critical to our future wellbeing. We acknowledge the achievements of Minister Scanlon, including record investment in new National parks, and we expect Minister Linard to step up the challenge.

Ends

For comment call Dave Copeman on 0408441595

With the Liddell power station in NSW closing today, the Queensland Government is the biggest coal powered generator in the country, and at risk of becoming Australia’s biggest climate polluter, through CS Energy, Stanwell and CleanCo. 

Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman says that "this is a threat to the Queensland Government’s vision to become a renewable superpower." 

“We welcomed the Queensland Government’s Energy and Jobs Plan last year, as it provided a pathway to move Queensland away from coal. However, the closure of Liddell highlights that Queensland is still moving too slowly to catch up with Southern states."  

“In 2022, 22% of Queensland’s energy came from renewable sources. The rest of the National Electricity Market, excluding Queensland, averaged 40%. With the closure of LIddell, the Queensland Government will become the biggest coal-fired power generator in the country, generating 31 TWh in 2022, compared to 29 TWh from AGL’s remaining generators."

“The Government’s decision to rebuild Callide C4 means it will be neck and neck with AGL for the title of biggest polluter in Australia. If Callide C returns to its operating levels pre-explosion, our emissions will be within 2% of AGLs, and small variations in generation could tip us into first place."

“We need to be competing to secure the jobs and investment in long term future industries, not to be the biggest polluter. We desperately need to see legislated renewable energy targets and an accelerated build of renewable energy so that we can get back into the right race.” 

“To do this, we need bipartisan support for the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan from the LNP opposition. Queenslanders right now are paying the highest electricity prices caused by a lost decade of action on energy transformation, and we can’t afford any more steps backwards. We are calling on David Crisafulli to outline his plan for our energy future, and it must meet or exceed the renewable energy targets within the Jobs and Energy Plan.  We need bipartisan support for a faster transition, or we’ll win the prize no one wants.” 

Jenny Brown, Climate Campaigner, Queensland Conservation Council

0412899 059 

[email protected]

28 March 2023

Community opposition to logging continues to grow across Queensland with Peachester residents now calling for the protection of local native forests.

“Our wildlife is facing extinction and needs vital habitat such as that provided in Luttons, Peachester and Beerburrum West State Forests,” Queensland Conservation Council Protected Areas Campaigner Nicky Moffat said.

“Queenslanders get the most out of these publicly owned forests when they’re designated national park, where $1 generates between $8-$10 in tourism and hospitality.

“The cultural values of these forests on Jinibara country are significant, and First Nations people need to be at the centre of their management and care moving forward.

“We celebrate the stand these citizens are taking for nature. Our regional communities need native forests and wildlife for conservation and for nature tourism.

“World class national parks throughout this gorgeous state should be an urgent priority before the Brisbane 2032 Olympics when all eyes will be on Queensland and its unique culture, country and wildlife.”

Peachester resident Bianca Skews said the endangered greater glider and other threatened species have been recorded in the State Forests near her home.

“We want Peachester, Luttons and Beerburrum West State Forests added to Glasshouse Mountains National Park immediately not logged,” Ms Skews said. “The science is in on this, large parts of these forests are high conservation value and would provide an important national park extension.  

“This is about the wildlife, but also the community. These forests are so important for this community. With all the new developments around here we need these state forests to regenerate and grow for future generations to enjoy.

“I’m a photographer and I work in the forests. I’ve done shoots all around here, the big trees are so beautiful. We are so lucky to live close to nature where endangered creatures are living. 

“I’m very concerned that endangered species habitat is being logged nearby. After all the horrors these animals have gone through - bushfires, floods have come through - we should make sure their homes are intact and are protected forever.

“Next to our property there’s a corridor that is now reserved for koala conservation, as habitat. I love that it’s right next to our house, it’s only a small corridor but it’s for koalas and I’m proud to have that right next door.”

Mountain bike rider Cameron Gibson, 45, lives in Narangba and grew up near Glasshouse Mountains, and has been riding in Peachester State Forest regularly since he was 14 years old.

“I ride there often, and take mates there. I go out there now and feel like I’m 14 again - I love being in the bush,” Mr Gibson said.

“It’s very diverse, you’ve got wet sclerophyll rainforest and bush, it’s also a bit of a secret spot so it’s never crowded. I’ve seen koalas, but the most amazing wildlife I’ve seen was a python that was as thick as my thigh, about 4-5 metres long. I thought it was a log and couldn’t see its head!

“There’s platypus in the creek not far from there too. I haven’t seen them yet but am so excited to, they’re such an incredible creature.

“This area has the best local tracks for mountain biking, it’s such a great thing for kids to get into so it’ll be great to preserve for them.”

Sunshine Coast Environment Council spokesperson Narelle McCarthy said Luttons and Peachester State Forests represent a significant contribution to the Sunshine Coast region’s biodiversity and green space.

“In a time of biodiversity and climate crises, we have an obligation to lead the way with protected area expansion which supports nature and community well-being.  The importance of these natural areas and their inherent conservation and ecological values cannot be underestimated and must be protected.

“We’re thrilled the Minister for Environment is committed to doubling Queensland’s protected areas from 8.2% to 17%. These forests would form an outstanding and critical addition to the Glasshouse Mountains National Park.

“With population growth and urban expansion it’s more important than ever to protect these remnants and connect and restore natural ecosystems.”

More than 100,000 hectares of land - an area the size of almost 14,000 Suncorp Stadiums - was cleared over a two year period that was unexplained and required further investigation, according to a report which details the regulatory assessments behind the land clearing figures in Queensland. 

Queensland Conservation Council Nature Campaigner Natalie Frost said:

“This report contains shocking evidence that the government has no idea the true scale of land clearing.

Every single hectare of endangered species habitat is vital for the continuation of some of our most iconic species.”

“It’s clear that legislative loopholes and lack of enforcement by the Queensland Government allows broadscale deforestation to continue, particularly in endangered and of concern ecosystems. This 100,000 hectares is only a quarter of the 418,656 hectares of land clearing as per the latest government data.”

“What’s most shocking is the amount of clearing being done in areas with endangered and of concern regional ecosystems. In just two years, nearly 60,000 hectares of vulnerable forest and bushland were cleared that should have been protected.”

In 2017, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk committed to end broadscale land clearing in Queensland. The latest statewide landcover and tree study (SLATS) report released in December last year coupled with the SLATS vegetation management analysis report reveals that Queensland continues to clear land at alarming rates with most clearing exempt from any regulation. 

“If we continue to clear forests at this rate there won’t be a future for species like the koala and greater glider. With the federal government releasing a plan to halt species extinctions, it’s imperative that the Queensland government addresses the out of control land clearing problem.”  

The Queensland Conservation Council has joined the Wilderness Society, Australian Conservation Foundation and WWF-Australia to form the Queensland Forests Alliance to advocate for the protection of Queensland’s iconic forests and woodlands.  

–ENDS–

The SLATS vegetation management analysis can be found here

The SLATS report can be found here

Contact:

Natalie Frost, Nature Campaigner, Queensland Conservation Council

0411 074 846

[email protected]

Australia’s most recognised oil and gas company, Santos, has revealed it made a staggering $3 billion profit in 2022, with their underlying profit up 160%, showing its bad behaviour is paying off. 

The federal Government yesterday approved an additional 166 gas wells in Queensland which would lock Queenslanders into climate chaos for decades to come.

Last year, it was revealed that Santos covered up an oil spill from the Varanus Island oil rig off WA which killed dolphins. In December, Santos’ approvals to drill for gas in the Tiwi sea country were invalidated by a Federal Court, because they hadn’t consulted the Traditional Owners. 

In our own state, Santos produced more carbon emissions than 200,000 Queenslanders but paid less company tax than the average person last year.