Queensland scene
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages national parks on behalf of the State Government and the Minister for Environment. For this purpose, the Service has divided Queensland into three administrative regions based on: Brisbane (Southern Region) Rockhampton (Central Region) Townsville (Northern Region) In 1996-97, the Service spent $33.7 million managing protected areas and recreation areas. About 480 staff are involved in managing Queensland's parks and other protected areas. Staff operate from 122 centres around the state. Ninety-one staff are based on protected areas while other staff work at district offices, Regional Centres and Head Office. Park rangers are responsible for:
- maintaining campgrounds and picnic areas
- building and maintaining tracks
- providing advice to visitors
- studying and recording the park's wildlife and other resources
- controlling weeds and feral animals
- helping prepare management plans
- ensuring visitors obey park rules and look after the park
| Type of protected area | Number | Area (ha) | Percent of Queensland | |
| National parks (scientific) | 7 | 52 180 | 0.03 | |
| Conservation parks | 174 | 34,907 | 0.02 | |
| National parks | 212 | 6,649,644 | 3.84 | |
| Resources reserves | 39 | 352,191 | 0.20 | |
| Nature refuges | 97 | 61,400 | 0.04 | |
| Co-ordinated conservation area | 1 | 1 170 | 0.0007 | |
| Total | 506 | 7 151 492 | 4.1107 | |
Queensland's national parks are an important part of our natural heritage. Through careful management, people can enjoy the parks, confident that this natural heritage will be passed intact to future generations.
Last updated: 22 December 2005