20 million hectares by 2020
This WWF-Australia report is timely as Queensland has committed to a major expansion of the protected area system, including the addition of 4.35 million hectares of new national parks, at a time when the state faces difficult economic times. This long overdue parks expansion was a significant Bligh Government commitment before the recent Queensland election.
Queensland contains the greatest biodiversity of any state in Australia but has lagged behind in terms of the extent of its park system. Its spectacular natural heritage is fundamental to the state’s economy, through tourism, and in protecting an array of ecosystem services.
The concept advanced in this report – that funding the expansion of the park system should be considered part of building the green infrastructure of the state – is a sound strategy which recognises that protecting our natural areas underpins much of our economic activity and societal values.
This report assesses the likely cost of consolidating the protected area system by examining land valuation data across Queensland and then analysing it for least-cost solutions.
