The Queensland State Government may start logging in national parks with Springbrook on the Gold Coast Hinterland one of the first according to conservationists. Source: Gold Coast News
Rainforest Conservation Society president Aila Keto said the Numinbah section of Springbrook was formerly an old logging area, making it highly vulnerable.
A spokeswoman for National Parks Minister Steve Dickson did not deny the move, saying only that a scientific review of all protected areas put aside since 2002 was under way. The Numinbah section was declared in 2008.
“The Newman Government (will) ensure Queensland’s pristine national parks are managed effectively and are protected for the future,” she said. “This is in stark contrast with the former Labor government, who arbitrarily locked up land and threw away the key with no plan for its future management.”
In February, a leaked email showed logging in native forests would resume in areas across Queensland.
Dr Keto said an emerging problem for the Government was a lack of loggable timber on Crown lands, which in turn was causing it to look to national parks.
Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the Government also hoped to unwind private land bought at Springbrook, which was being rehabilitated by Dr Keto for inclusion in Springbrook.
“This puts Springbrook, along with various other national parks, at risk of being opened to logging,” she said.
In July last year, Dickson accused the Bligh government of locking up vast areas that had little conservation value. He said pristine and long-protected parks would be protected, but 875,000ha of more recently allocated parks were likely to be rescinded and opened to logging and grazing.
This was despite Queensland having one of the smallest and most heavily used national park estates in the nation.
About $40 million was spent by the previous government buying land to add to Springbrook and the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area.
