Derek Bullock
05-10-2004, 01:53 PM
Hi All
Following press release put out today. Seems our National Parks are getting a boost from this Government.
Cheers
Derek
The Beattie Government is continuing to protect Queensland's significant green space, converting 6000 hectares near Yeppoon to State parks.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle today announced an extra 5900 hectares would be added to Byfield National Park and a further 89 hectares would create Byfield Conservation Park.
Ms Boyle said: "The Central Queensland coast is coming under increasing pressure from urban development and rapid population growth.
"Livingstone Shire, which includes the Byfield parks, is expected to have about 35,000 residents by 2011.
"That's a 27 per cent increase on its population of 27,577 at June 30, 2003.
"And the growth has already started.
"In the past financial year, Livingstone Shire Council approved the construction of 338 new buildings - up 8.7 per cent on the previous 12 months.
"The new parks will help protect vital habitat on the Capricorn Coast as development accelerates."
Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan welcomed the declaration of the additional park area, which was promised by Premier Peter Beattie in March.
"The enlarged national park will protect the environment and give our future generations an area of high environmental value of which they can be proud," Mr Hoolihan said.
"It will also conserve a large area of our natural forest area so that our children will be able to enjoy its beauty," he said.
Ms Boyle said the expanded Byfield National Park would be 14,645 hectares - all under the highest level of State protection.
"The new Byfield Conservation Park will provide a buffer zone between Byfield National Park and residents of Stockyard Point," Ms Boyle said.
The parks will protect 18 different types of regional cosystems, 14 of which are considered "of concern" under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
"I'm absolutely delighted we're protecting such a special area," Ms Boyle said.
"Preserving the diverse wildlife and flora is just so important.
"Byfield has extensive dune systems, lowland swamps, rocky headlands and coastal beaches and estuaries.
"It is also home to rare and threatened species including the Powerful Owl, Quassia plant and Chain Fruit."
The land is 35km north of Yeppoon and adjoins the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.
"West and south of the national park is the 23,000 hectare Byfield State Forest, so this latest addition is important in consolidating the reserves in this area," Ms Boyle said.
Ms Boyle said people would still be able to camp on the beach south of Stockyard Point.
Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, national park uses must be both nature-based and ecologically-sustainable. Conservation parks uses must be ecologically-sustainable.
Ends
Following press release put out today. Seems our National Parks are getting a boost from this Government.
Cheers
Derek
The Beattie Government is continuing to protect Queensland's significant green space, converting 6000 hectares near Yeppoon to State parks.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle today announced an extra 5900 hectares would be added to Byfield National Park and a further 89 hectares would create Byfield Conservation Park.
Ms Boyle said: "The Central Queensland coast is coming under increasing pressure from urban development and rapid population growth.
"Livingstone Shire, which includes the Byfield parks, is expected to have about 35,000 residents by 2011.
"That's a 27 per cent increase on its population of 27,577 at June 30, 2003.
"And the growth has already started.
"In the past financial year, Livingstone Shire Council approved the construction of 338 new buildings - up 8.7 per cent on the previous 12 months.
"The new parks will help protect vital habitat on the Capricorn Coast as development accelerates."
Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan welcomed the declaration of the additional park area, which was promised by Premier Peter Beattie in March.
"The enlarged national park will protect the environment and give our future generations an area of high environmental value of which they can be proud," Mr Hoolihan said.
"It will also conserve a large area of our natural forest area so that our children will be able to enjoy its beauty," he said.
Ms Boyle said the expanded Byfield National Park would be 14,645 hectares - all under the highest level of State protection.
"The new Byfield Conservation Park will provide a buffer zone between Byfield National Park and residents of Stockyard Point," Ms Boyle said.
The parks will protect 18 different types of regional cosystems, 14 of which are considered "of concern" under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.
"I'm absolutely delighted we're protecting such a special area," Ms Boyle said.
"Preserving the diverse wildlife and flora is just so important.
"Byfield has extensive dune systems, lowland swamps, rocky headlands and coastal beaches and estuaries.
"It is also home to rare and threatened species including the Powerful Owl, Quassia plant and Chain Fruit."
The land is 35km north of Yeppoon and adjoins the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area.
"West and south of the national park is the 23,000 hectare Byfield State Forest, so this latest addition is important in consolidating the reserves in this area," Ms Boyle said.
Ms Boyle said people would still be able to camp on the beach south of Stockyard Point.
Under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, national park uses must be both nature-based and ecologically-sustainable. Conservation parks uses must be ecologically-sustainable.
Ends