Queensland’s protected areas estate continues to grow
Glass House Mountains
Four new national parks have been declared, and a further 11 expanded, protecting 13 800 hectares of high biodiversity land and safeguarding the homes of many of Queensland’s vulnerable species.
The new 5000 hectare Macalister Range National Park near Cairns will ensure the protection of important cassowary habitat.
In the south-east, Tewantin National Park and Tewantin National Park (Recovery), totaling more than 2000 hectares, and the Pumicestone National Park, near Donnybrook, covering 164 hectares, are newly protected areas rich in biodiversity, native plants and animals.
Glass House Mountains National Park has been expanded by 2000 hectares, almost tripling in size, and now protects 13 of the 14 peaks that make up the world-renowned Glass House Mountains.
Expansions include almost 1500 hectares added to Girringun National Park near Ingham, Dularcha National Park, near Mooloolah, which will more than double in size, and the Mooloolah River National Park, which will gain an additional 39 hectares.
The new protected areas serve as vital habitat corridors and ecosystems for rare and native species.
The area covered by national park in Queensland is now over eight million hectares and Queensland has the largest national park area of any Australian state or territory.
The new parks contribute towards the Queensland Government's 2020 target of achieving 12.9 million hectares (7.5 per cent of the state) of national park.
Last updated 23 June 2010