Queensland leads nation with Australia’s first Conserved Area
Issued:
July 2025
Queensland is making history by establishing Australia’s very first officially recognised "Conserved Area” under a new Australian conservation framework—marking a groundbreaking step forward in protecting biodiversity beyond traditional protected areas.
Weranga Scarps in southern Queensland will become the first officially recognised ‘Conserved Area” under the National Other Effective area based Conservation Measures (OECMs) Framework.
The 48-hectare private property was recognised as a conserved area for its significant biodiversity values, including highly intact eucalypt and cypress woodland ecosystems.
These areas provide habitat for several threatened species, including the yakka skink, koala, and glossy black-cockatoo.
The site is also home to 127 bird species, including the speckled warbler, hooded robin, honeyeaters, Pacific baza, and various raptors. Mammals like the yellow-footed antechinus, stripe-faced dunnart, sugar glider, and inland brushtail possum also thrive within the area.
Fourth translocation successful of northern hairy-nosed wombats to Powrunna
Issued:
July 2025
An additional 11 northern hairy-nosed wombats have been transported from Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) in Queensland’s central west to Powrunna State Forest in the state’s southwest.
This translocation project is an integral component of the Queensland Government’s northern hairy-nosed wombat recovery program which aims to establish a third population of the endangered marsupial.
The project began in May 2024 after extensive preparation of the site at Powrunna and 37 wombats have already successfully been translocated.
In June 2025, rangers from across Queensland gathered at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) to carefully trap six females and five males for relocation to their new home.
There are now 21 females and 16 males at Powrunna, which had been specifically chosen for the third population of wombats.
Researchers, conservationists, and the public can now explore and protect Queensland’s ecological treasures more easily, thanks to the revamped WildNet database, which showcases more than 40,000 species across the state in a more user-friendly format.
The WildNet website offers users detailed information on Queensland flora and fauna, providing identification, description and location details on native and naturalised plants and animals regulated under State and Commonwealth legislation.
The resource is designed to support a wide range of users, from the public to government professionals, in their efforts to conserve and protect Queensland’s unique biodiversity, such as assisting with scientific advancement and improving conservation results.
The newest feature added to the platform—advanced search filters, enhances accessibility and usability by allowing users to customise their searches and more quickly find species information.
Queensland national parks expanded in boost to protected areas
Issued:
June 2025
Nearly 9,000 hectares have been added to Queensland’s national parks and nature refuges. This includes: 6,000 hectares within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; five former forest reserves upgraded to national parks; and 18 new nature refuges established.
The addition of more than 8,700 hectares to Queensland’s national parks and nature refuges will secure more protected areas for the state’s threatened species, preserving unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
Some highlights include:
Malbon Thompson Range National Park—protecting cassowary habitat and a vital 35km rainforest corridor
Danbulla National Park—expanded to safeguard the northern bettong and northern quoll
Tully Falls National Park—now includes highland vine rainforest, home to the cassowary
Girringun National Park—protecting the rich wetland biodiversity as well as mahogany glider and southern cassowary habitat
Curtis Island National Park—protecting tidal wetlands for species like the eastern curlew.
Land Restoration Fund commits $18 million to new environmental projects
Issued:
June 2025
More than $18 million has been committed for eight new projects through the Land Restoration Fund Round 3 funding.
The projects will generate Australian Carbon Credit Units in addition to delivering important environmental outcomes including the protection of threatened species and ecosystems and improved water quality for the Great Barrier Reef.
Populations of purple-necked rock-wallabies will be safeguarded through a $364,000 offset program that will improve crucial habitat in the state’s northwest.
The offset project is a collaboration between the Queensland Government and environmental management group Conservation Partners.
The four-year offset project will fund environmental improvements on Chidna Station, which is a 26,000-hectare pastoral lease property around 130 kilometres north of Mount Isa. Chidna Station provides ideal habitat for the purple-necked rock wallaby along with other threatened species.
Queensland launches coordinated feral cat management in Channel Country
Issued:
February 2025
An innovative new partnership funded by the Australian Government will help target feral cats across 180,000 hectares of south-west Queensland.
The Channel Country Threatened Species Partnership comprises twelve partnering groups representing government, First Nations, pastoralists and conservation groups.
Iconic threatened species like the greater bilby and night parrot will receive greater protection through the removal of feral cats.
