Queensland NRMs back Federal plan to save threatened species
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
The state’s peak natural resource management body, NRM Regions Queensland, is throwing its weight behind the Federal Government’s newly released Threatened Species Action Plan.
The 10-year plan sets a zero extinctions target for Australian plants and animals as part of a strategy to improve the prospects of 110 species and 20 locations.
NRM Regions Queensland CEO, Chris Norman, said the need for protection of the state’s plants, animals, and ecosystems from extinction has never been greater.
“This need was highlighted in the recent State of Environment report.
“This new plan is very much welcomed by Queensland’s natural resource management sector.
“The plan also sets out to achieve protecting and conserving at least 30% of Australia’s land mass.
“It’s an ambitious target, but communities across Queensland are ready to help the Australian Government achieve this.
“Those communities have already come together to develop regional natural resource management plans which cover the entire state.
“Those plans all consider threatened species. We’re confident significant outcomes will be achieved for our most threatened native plants and animals.”
The Federal plan names Queensland species, including the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Northern Quoll, Eastern Curlew, and King Blue-grass.
It also lists Raine Island, on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, the eastern forests of far north Queensland, and the Brigalow country, as priority places for protection.
Brigalow is a species of silvery wattle that creates the open forests and woodland communities known as the Brigalow Belt, an area threatened by clearing and wildfire.
Chris Norman said the Federal plan sets ambitious targets that will require significant investment to implement.
“Strong targets to protect our threatened species, prevent new extinctions, and protect at least 30 per cent of our land mass are to be congratulated.
“Meeting these targets will require a significant investment from all partners, and it will also need people on the ground.
“Supporting First Nations-led recovery efforts is also essential.
“Regional NRM organisations are already on the ground in all of the places where species listed in the new Action Plan occur.
“We are ready to meet the challenges set out in this new action plan.”
