Nature Conservation (Special Wildlife Reserves) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2017

Overview

This bill creates a new kind of protected area in Queensland called a 'special wildlife reserve', letting private landholders lock in permanent, national-park-level protection over land of outstanding conservation value while keeping it in private ownership. It also makes sure existing conservation agreements on leasehold land are not lost when the lease is renewed, converted or transferred, and closes a small regulatory gap for activities straddling Queensland and Commonwealth waters in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Who it affects

Private landholders with significant natural values gain a new voluntary conservation tool, while mining, gas, forestry and fossicking industries are shut out of any land declared as a special wildlife reserve. Existing nature refuge holders on leasehold land get stronger protection from losing their agreements through tenure changes.

Key changes

• Creates 'special wildlife reserves' on private freehold or leasehold land with the same protection as a national park, backed by a perpetual conservation agreement and a management program
• Bans mining, geothermal, greenhouse gas storage, forestry harvesting, fossicking and vegetation clearing on special wildlife reserves
• Requires a Parliament resolution before a special wildlife reserve can be revoked, except for minor boundary changes or conversion to a national park
• Ensures conservation agreements for nature refuges and special wildlife reserves automatically carry through lease renewals, extensions, tenure conversions, subdivisions and transfers
• Allows Queensland to regulate 'environmentally relevant activities' that are carried out partly in state waters and partly in Commonwealth waters within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park