To the residents of the Cassowary Coast region, tourists and all those who value Queensland's biodiversity, Join us in opposing the Newman Government's predation of National Parks and the rush to convert priceless wildlife reserves into lifeless cash. |
At meetings with the conservation sector last week in Brisbane, the government advised that a review of national parks will now proceed in-house against a new set of guidelines.
Parks which are costly to maintain because of weed invasion and other introduced degradation are likely to be de-gazetted, developed, or grazed.
Neither scientific nor conservation sector experts will be consulted; nor will there be any public consultation over the fate of these lands which were originally gazetted to be protected, for the public good, in perpetuity.
There has never been enough money made available to maintain our Parks in 'pristine' condition. While we enjoy access to the Parks for recreation it also allows for weed infestation and other introduced negative impacts.
No longer will there be a focus on connecting isolated natural areas which would help protect our threatened species.
The current policy is to encourage development and exploit resources within Parks considered degraded while offering protection for selected patches of natural areas regardless of how isolated they may be. This ad hoc approach will reduce and fragment the already tiny 4.8% of our wilderness areas currently set aside as National Park.
Once developed, these areas will never be returned to a natural state, they will be lost forever.
You can let our ministers know you do not accept changes that will allow permanent loss of priceless wildlife and wild habitat.
Send a short email letter or take just a minute to phone the ministers' office.
Remember to address your letter formally to....
Minister for Environment,
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 3239 0844
The Hon Steven Dickson,
Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Racing etc,
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 3224 7477
Read CCA media release "Newman Government- the new National Parks cash converters"