Conservationists are celebrating the announcement today of a new park to protect iconic greater gliders who have been spotted in hollows of irreplaceable forest trees in the Eastern Hardwoods region near Maryborough.

The Queensland government plans to establish a new Greater Glider Forest Park as part of a plan to reform the state's timber industry and protect nature.

Queensland Conservation Council congratulates the Minister for Environment on taking forward this idea proposed by QCC, signifying the Government’s commitment to ending native forest logging and saving iconic species, alongside having a sustainable timber industry.

QCC Director Dave Copeman said:

We strongly welcome this new 54,317 hectare refuge for greater gliders! Glider habitat continues to be logged and cleared on both private and public lands across their range, so every hectare we can save is critical.

It is a much needed breather for one of our cutest and irreplaceable Queenslanders, the greater glider.

Sadly we know from overwhelming evidence that logging is incompatible with protecting this species. When greater gliders’ feed trees or nest trees are taken, they die.

It’s urgent we do all we can to save this incredible Queensland species from extinction, and shift the timber sector into planted forests which already supply 90% of our timber needs.

Logging native forests is outdated and we owe it to Queensland to create a more sustainable path and timber supply.

Forests are worth more to Queenslanders when trees are left standing, for jobs in nature, tourism, clean water, healthy soil and other things we take as a given.

Queensland has an opportunity to secure a sustainable and stable source of timber through a full plantation-based industry, but the government must build from the state's Stakeholder Timber Advisory Group (STAG), which met for the first time today.

On Thursday, the Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation and Queensland Conservation Council advocated for the transition to a full plantation-based timber industry that will chart a new future for Queensland's forests, construction industry and forestry jobs while protecting Queensland's natural assets.

Confronting new video evidence shows logging occurring in the habitat of endangered greater gliders in publicly owned native forests, shortly after the government promised a greater glider forest park would be created.

This shocking development also comes right as more Australian animals have been declared threatened and on the brink of extinction.

Screenshot from video evidence of logging in a state forest near Maryborough, close to den and feeding sites of the endangered greater gliders.

A team of volunteer experts and citizen scientists went to a state forest near Maryborough at the end of July, and discovered a high density population of the endangered greater glider - a species which is native to Queensland and on the decline across the country.

Logging was documented less than three kilometres from a site where the group spotted seven of the elusive, nocturnal greater gliders in just one night.

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.

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.”

In 2020, the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) commissioned a desktop review of the conservation values of State Forests within the South East Queensland Planning Area. In October 2021, this report was provided to the Queensland Government in support of policy commitments to end native forest logging on public land throughout the region by 2024. 

In summary, the report identified 68,543 hectares across 19 state forests suitable for protection as national or conservation parks. The table below provides a list of the identified state forests and the consultant’s report is published on QCC’s website.

Included in the list of areas recommended for protection is Beerwah State Forest on the Sunshine Coast, earmarked for logging by the Palaszczuk Government in December last year. 

The proposed logging of Beerwah State Forest has emerged as a flashpoint for community opposition to native forest logging and calls to protect native forests across Queensland. 

“We have not seen this level of public opposition to logging native forests since the 1990s,” said the QCC’s Nature Campaigner, Jon Ferguson. “Logging Queensland’s native forests is out of step with community expectations '' 

“We need to see an immediate end to logging in South East Queensland and firm commitments to phase out logging on public land across the rest of the state,” said Jon Ferguson.  

“Protecting these state forests will help protect Queensland’s koala population,” said Narelle McCarthy, spokesperson for the Sunshine Environment Coast Council. “These forests are also home to other threatened species including the Glossy Black Cockatoo and the Greater Glider.” said Sunshine Coast Environment Council.  

“Protecting State Forests throughout Queensland is an undervalued opportunity to deliver vital conservation outcomes, saving unique ecosystems and 1000s of threatened species, many of which are found nowhere else,” said Jon Ferguson.

“There are already over 200,000 hectares of plantations in South East Queensland which supply wood for housing and construction. There is no reason to be logging native forests that could be new National Parks,” said Susanne Cooper, President of National Parks Association of Queensland. 

There are an estimated 68,543 hectares of State Forests recommended for protection within the SEQ Planning area. Providing national or conservation park protection for these areas would give effect to the Palaszczuk Government’s policy commitments to protect forestry land and end native forest logging in the SEQ Planning Area. 

To reach this figure our consultants used a methodology similar to that currently used by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) to rate the conservation value of specific land units.

Their methodology considered biodiversity values, regional ecosystems, climate resilience, adequacy, threatened species, connectivity, integrity and practicality.

The Queensland conservation movement is calling for a staged end to native forest logging on public land across the state and stronger regulation of forestry on private land. 

Table: State Forests Recommended for Protection

For further information and comment, contact: 

Jon Ferguson, Nature Campaigner, Queensland Conservation Council

0431 470 328

Narelle McCarthy, Spokesperson, Sunshine Coast Environment Council

0424 465 487

Susanne Cooper, President, National Parks Association of Queensland

0423 783 022

In 2020, the Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) commissioned a desktop review of the conservation values of State Forests within the South East Queensland Planning Area. In October 2021, this report was provided to the Queensland Government in support of policy commitments to end native forest logging on public land throughout the region by 2024. 

In summary, the report identified 68,543 hectares across 19 state forests suitable for protection as national or conservation parks.

Included in the list of areas recommended for protection is Beerwah State Forest on the Sunshine Coast, earmarked for logging by the Palaszczuk Government in December last year. The proposed logging of Beerwah State Forest has emerged as a flashpoint for community opposition to native forest logging and calls to protect native forests across Queensland.

Read the full report here.

Table: State Forests Recommended for Protection