Protecting Our Bushland

From the GBSAN column in Stanthorpe Today, May 2024

The Granite Belt is one of Queensland’s most biodiverse regions which is well known for its significant national parks and as a thriving ecotourism destination.

The region has a high degree of habitat diversity due to its climate, elevation, topographic variation, outcropping rock and a pronounced east-west rainfall gradient. Fortunately, 45% remains as remnant vegetation and this is a distinctive feature across the landscape.

Over 900 species of flowering plants occur in the region with 19 listed as threatened, including 5 classified as critically endangered. There is also a wonderful diversity of fauna species and the region is the stronghold for the endangered spotted tailed quoll as well as 16 other threatened species.

Apart from the habitat protection offered by Girraween and Sundown national parks, the Granite Belt also many private properties with remnant vegetation on them which helps conserve the region’s biodiversity. There are a considerable number of privately owned Nature Refuges and Land for Wildlife properties across the region with committed landowners working to protect and manage their land for conservation.

The Council itself owns or manages many bushland areas of conservation significance such as Donnelly’s Castle and Mt Marlay as well as many other smaller reserves.

Protecting and managing bushland across the region has multiple challenges such as weed and feral animal control, the use of appropriate fire regimes and the need for land restoration, with many owners lacking the knowledge and expertise to deal effectively with these issues. There is therefore an urgent need for the Council to employ bushcare officers to not only help manage their own bushland reserves but also provide much needed education, advice and assistance to local landowners. Currently, there are no land care officers working in the region to give such help.

Many other Councils throughout the state have such officers employed and they play a valuable role in identifying and protecting natural assets on both private and public lands.

Protecting and effectively managing our natural areas not only assists biodiversity conservation but is the basis for our thriving ecotourism industry. Thousands of visitors come here each year to enjoy our spectacular wildflowers and unique wildlife and marvel at our granite landscapes. For the future of the region, we need to ensure these natural assets are properly protected and managed.