MOUNT Mellum Nature Refuge is among the 43,000 hectares of new and additional nature refuge land now protected by the Queensland Government.
Acting Premier Steven Miles said additionally there is more land included in the D’Aguilar, Lamington, Main Range and Oakview National Parks.
“Combined, our national parks, nature refuges and other protected areas cover 14.3 million hectares – that’s an area double the size of Tasmania,” he said.
“This is part of our commitment to expanding and protecting our National parks and Queensland’s great lifestyle.”
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the newly protected land, which is the size of 430,000 Olympic swimming pools, is a great start in local conservation, but acknowledged more can be done.
“But we know there’s more work to do, which is why the Palaszczuk Government is investing $262.5 million to expand and create new national parks – the single biggest investment in Queensland’s history,” she said.
“It’s great to see this batch include a number of nature refuges, areas that Queensland landholders have nominated to protect the critical ecosystems, plants and creatures that live within it.”
Among the many new and extended nature refuges, Cook will have three new nature refuges and Noosa will have two new nature refuges and two extended nature refuges.
