General News
17 July, 2024
Two new national parks declared, including one in North West
The Lakes will be preserved by the state government under the arrangement.
The number of national parks in Queensland has officially increased by two.
The state has formally dedicated The Lakes National Park near Hughenden and Malbon Thompson Range National Park near Cairns. Both properties were acquired and added to the protected areas estate in recognition of their outstanding natural and cultural values.
The Lakes, a former cattle property, was acquired by the government in 2022 through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), which brokered contributions from international philanthropic organisations.
The Lakes is home to four hypersaline watercourses, classified as Wetlands of High Ecological Significance.
These watercourses provide critical habitat for many species of waterbirds while protecting the headwaters of the South Gregory River – which feeds into the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
The property is also home to unique species like the giant burrowing cockroach and two newly discovered species of clam-shrimp, which are only found in this national park’s lakes.
Part of the 43,000 hectare property estate covers a portion of Gudjala First Nations peoples’ traditional Country.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will progressively open both new parks to visitors over the coming years as preparations are finalised.
Eighteen other national parks have also been formally expanded, with the land expansions, including the two new national parks, totalling more than 59,000 hectares.
“The Miles Labor government is doing what matters by protecting areas of high environmental and cultural values in perpetuity for future generations of Queensland,” said Minister for the Environment Leanne Linard.
“The dedication of these two new national parks as well as the expansion of 18 other parks further demonstrates our commitment.
“Since 2015, our Labor government has added more than 1.23 million hectares to Queensland’s protected area estate and, since just the start of this year, we have acquired around 550,000 hectares for future dedication as national parks.
“The Lakes was the first major property acquired following the release of our government’s Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030, a major ongoing plan to support the growth and management of our national parks and other protected areas.
“We will continue to work with our partners to identify other areas of high environmental and cultural value for protection.”
Tony Jupp, a director at The Nature Conservancy, said he was thrilled to see The Lakes protected.
“We are delighted to have been able, with the generous support of our donors, to help to protect it for nature conservation and enable people to come to visit the area and see the unique lakes,” he said.
“The Lakes has significant conservation values, including endangered regional ecosystems and ecosystems that have low or no protection in the existing protected area estate, such as the tall eucalypt forests dominated by Lemon-scented Gums, and Northern Cypress Pine woodlands.
“These forests support a high density of arboreal animals including Northern Greater Gliders and Common Brushtail Possums.”