Queensland protects almost 400,000 hectares in national park expansion
Queensland is converting almost 400,000 hectares across three cattle stations into national parks to protect endangered species and wetlands.
Queensland has acquired three cattle stations, parts of Westmoreland and Cliffdale in the Gulf Country, and all of Kendall River Station in Cape York, to turn into protected national parks. The purchase was funded by the Queensland government, $21 million from the Nature Conservancy, and $3.5 million from the federal government.
The land protects endangered species including the Carpentarian grasswren, palm cockatoos, and grey falcons, plus hundreds of ecologically significant wetlands. Some land in Cape York will become Aboriginal freehold, and traditional owners will have opportunities to manage Gulf land.
However, local councils are concerned about staffing. Burke Shire, with only 550 residents and a $4 million annual budget, manages 550 kilometres of road and worries about losing ratepayer money.
The state government has not yet decided how many rangers will manage the parks.
- Almost 400,000 hectares
- Land area
- $21 million
- Nature Conservancy funding
- $3.5 million
- Federal government funding
- 550 residents
- Burke Shire population
Why it mattersThe parks protect rare species and wetlands but successful management depends on funding and staffing decisions the government has not yet made, creating risk that conservation goals may not be met.
AustraliaQueensland is setting aside vast areas for conservation, creating new national parks for locals and visitors, but small regional councils face financial pressure from lost grazing land and uncertain state support.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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