Hinchinbrook Island Gets a Community Voice Have you been lucky enough to visit Hinchinbrook Island National Park and come away with a life-long connection to the natural wonders of this special place?
Are you lucky enough to be part of the Cardwell community that includes the island as part of your backyard?
The new draft management plan for Hinchinbrook is currently being drafted by QPWS and all Queenslander's are invited to have their say.
NPAQ is particularly keen to hear about your experience, good or bad, and let us know what you loved, what you didn't and why? What actions could be taken to better to protect the island's natural assets, and ensuring a sustainable visitor experience into the future. Send us an email admin@npaq.org.au
Image: Blue Banksia (Banksia plagiocarpa), source Environment and Health Committee of Cardwell
Loss of the Hinchinbrook rare blue Banksia In relation to the draft Management Plan for Hinchinbrook Island, to date we have heard of concerns from local environment and monitoring groups (via QCC) of devastating effects of hot burns on the island and others who believe the Management Plan in the new format is a tool to manage rather than protect key values, that it weakens the Management Principles, and should be of higher standards in line with what we should expect for National Parks.
Of most concern is a letter from the Environment and Health Committee of Cardwell who have monitored and reported the loss of the Hinchinbrook rare blue Banksia to the minister. The group directly attributes this loss, due an inappropriate fire regime.
"Where the rare Banksia plagiocarpa once grew in large numbers in the lowland forest on Hinchinbrook Island we found only two mature specimens of this shrub which had survived the fire."
Increase in Ranger numbers An increase to Ranger numbers has been announced for Qld National Parks, with the Qld Government promising 21 new ranger positions across the state last week in a media release.
However, with National Park areas increased by over 250,000ha since the labour government came back into power, is this enough? Read more…
Expansion of Mooloolah National Park Some good news recently with the expansion of Mooloolah National Park. This follows some great work from our colleagues at the Sunshine Coast Environment Council.
Read the Minister’s statement here…
Horny Devil Katydid from Ecuador, Image via The Conversation
Will species vanish before they're discovered? The Australian Geographic reported the discovery of a new species of frog, in Newcastle just recently (the tiny Mahony's Toadlet), but this new species has an exclusive habitat and could already be vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss and sand mining.
Scientists are saying that there is still a large number of new species to discover, however most may be extinct before we get the chance. Read more…
NPAQ has been selected to participate in Local Matters at Grill’d Rosalie this November!
Local Matters is the Grill’d community donation program that sees each Grill’d restaurant donate $500 back into the community every month. The donation is split between 3 local community groups $300 / $100 / $100.
We’d love your support in receiving the highest $300 donation!
Simply head to Grill’d Rosalie during November and pop your Local Matters token in the NPAQ jar. The group with the most tokens at the end of the month receives the largest donation.
Grill’d Rosalie is located at 19 - 21 Nash St Corner of Elizabeth St, Rosalie.
Fraser Island BioBlitz 28th November to 4th December 2016
Beach to Boomanjin and Birrabeen
Organized by the Fraser Island Defenders Organisation
This BioBlitz offers opportunities and a fun way to explore and learn more about such a special place and the many fascinating species that inhabit it. The BioBlitz will be a comprehensive stocktake of the living natural resources of this a very representative part Fraser Island (K’Gari).
For further details visit the Fraser Island Defenders Website
Friends of Tamborine National Park - Working Bee Saturday 3 December 2016
For the last working bee for 2016, we will meet at the Knoll Section of Tamborine National Park. This is a popular picnic area as it has commanding views over the Albert River valley. We will undertake some maintenance tasks and also do some infill planting. This will be followed by a barbeque lunch and a chat about next years program.
Wildlife Spotter Ongoing
Become a citizen scientist and assist researchers by looking for animals in wilderness photos taken by automated cameras around Australia. Anyone can join in and you can do it all online.
For people who may be interested to learn more or discuss one of the planning instruments that affects zoning & green spaces ie. SEQRP.
Speakers: Don Butler Qld Herbarium,
Paul McDonald SEQ Catchments,
John Abbott SOWN,
Ted Fensom Queensland Conservation Council (QCC) Community Rep SEQ Regional Plan.
