Queensland's Great Barrier Reef Island Protection Expanded

The Great Barrier Reef‘s protection is enhanced with the inclusion of 140 islands or parts thereof into Queensland’s protected areas estate, bolstering conservation efforts.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Widens Protection

The protection of the Great Barrier Reef receives a significant boost as Queensland’s government adds 1,390 hectares of additional land to its protected areas.

Under this initiative, high conservation value islands or parts thereof are acquired or transferred to Queensland’s protected area estate, ensuring the preservation of endangered ecosystems for future generations.

Queensland Conservation Efforts

This expanded protection is part of the Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project, aimed at safeguarding crucial habitats for various species, including green and flatback turtles, seabirds, and shorebirds.

These lands, acquired through the purchase of leasehold properties and transfers of ecologically valuable state land, hold significant conservation values.

The recent acquisition includes the 1,600-hectare Spadely Station on Curtis Island, which was hailed as a triumph by conservation groups.

This purchase ensures the ongoing protection of Curtis Island’s vital estuarine wetlands, migratory bird habitat, and nesting grounds for the vulnerable flatback turtle.

Currently, Queensland’s terrestrial protected areas cover over 14.5 million hectares, constituting 8.39% of the state’s total land area.

The Queensland Government has acquired more than 410,000 hectares, earmarking them for future inclusion in the protected areas estate.

Furthermore, the Great Barrier Reef Island Arks project not only designates these islands as protected areas but also allocates funds for their rehabilitation.

Demolition efforts are underway on St Bees Island to remove old structures and equipment, following the cleanup of the former resort on Wild Duck Island in August 2023.

This comprehensive approach underscores Queensland’s commitment to conserving its natural treasures and ensuring the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef.

Expansion of Great Barrier Reef Island Parks

Here’s a breakdown:

Barnard Island Group National Park: Expanded by 0.62 ha by dedicating Bresnahan Island, crucial for bridled tern, black-naped tern, and pied imperial-pigeon nesting.
Bowling Green Bay National Park: Increased by 2.7 ha with Bray, Bare, and Bald islets, vital for white-bellied sea-eagle and black-naped tern nesting.
Brampton Islands National Park: Expanded by 4 ha, protecting important bird nesting sites across six additional islands.
Broad Sound Islands National Park: Increased by 329.55 ha, preserving breeding sites for various bird and turtle species.
Curtis Island National Park: Expanded by 66.41 ha, containing significant wetland and threatened ecological communities.
Eurimbula National Park: Grew by 15.2 ha, ensuring low tide connectivity and improved management.
Family Islands National Park: Expanded by 1.47 ha, vital for “of concern” regional ecosystems and sea bird roosting.
Frankland Islands Group National Park: Increased by 2.36 ha, enabling continued protection of an endangered regional ecosystem.
Gloucester Island National Park: Expanded by 17.75 ha, providing habitat for vulnerable species like the green turtle.
Goold Island National Park: Grew by 21.2 ha, enhancing connectivity and strategic management.
Keppel Bay Islands National Park: Expanded by 17.44 ha, significant for bird breeding sites.
Lindeman Islands National Park: Increased by 19.75 ha, improving management and connectivity with surrounding islands.
Molle Islands National Park: Grew by 4.2 ha, ensuring improved management and connectivity.
Northumberland Islands National Park: Expanded by 234.5 ha, providing habitat for green turtles.
Percy Isles National Park: Increased by 193 ha, enhancing connectivity and management benefits.
Repulse Islands National Park: Expanded by 5.9 ha, crucial for lesser sand plover habitat.
Smith Islands National Park: Grew by 16.9 ha, significant for bird nesting sites and habitat.
South Cumberland Islands National Park: Increased by 270.78 ha, providing roosting and nesting sites.
Whitsunday Islands National Park: Expanded by 43.2 ha, surrounded by significant ecological condition islands.
Wild Cattle Island National Park: Increased by about 69.4 ha, containing important nesting sites for green turtles.