‘Critical link’ secured for rare and threatened species

A key coastal habitat for koalas, ground parrots, glossy black cockatoos and more threatened species will be protected forever thanks to a new land purchase.

Sunshine Coast Council and the Queensland Government acquired the 150-hectare property at Monak Road, Peregian Beach, under a joint funding partnership.

The property shares boundaries with the Doonan Wetland Nature Refuge and Noosa National Park.

Sunshine Coast Council Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez said the purchase would protect a critical link in the Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area.

“The estate features extensive high-quality bushland, a strong diversity of vegetation communities across six mapped regional ecosystems and a strategic position within the landscape, and will offer rare protected habitat for the vulnerable ground parrot in our region.

“Sunshine Coast Council is proud to partner with the Queensland Government to safeguard this natural asset as we work with our community to nurture and enhance our environment and contribute to a sustainable future in our Sunshine Coast Biosphere.”

Its inclusion on Queensland’s expansive list of protected area builds on the Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Area biodiversity corridor which provides koalas and other native species a safe between key habitat areas on the Sunshine Coast.

As well as koalas, the estate provides essential habitat for the ground parrot, the glossy black cockatoo, the wallum froglet and the tusked frog.

The property is also home to the endangered Mountain Emu she-oak, which is only found within a 55km radius between Beerburrum and Noosa.

The new conservation park will allow visitors to connect with these protected species in their natural habitat while ensuring the estate continues to foster its unique biodiversity.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will work together with Sunshine Coast Council and the Kabi Kabi People to oversee the management of the estate, including pest control and fire management to ensure the area maintains its significant environmental value for generations to come.

Council's contribution to the joint purchase was funded thanks to the Environment Levy. 

What they said

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“The Miles Government is doing what matters to Queenslanders by protecting areas of high ecological and cultural value in perpetuity.

“We have made an historic $262.5 million investment in expanding and managing Queensland’s protected estate.

“This investment is complemented by our almost $40 million commitment to conserve Queensland’s most vulnerable plants and animals through the Queensland Threatened Species Program.

“Three of the protected species found on the property - the sand yabby, the ground parrot and the Mount Emu she-oak - are mostly restricted to this part of Sunshine Coast region, highlighting the importance of conserving this area to protect these species.

“This is an exciting acquisition and I thank Sunshine Coast Council for partnering with the Miles Government to ensure the environmental values of the area are protected.”

Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) Advocacy & Engagement Manager, Narelle McCarthy:

“This is fantastic news for the region with huge benefits for our adjoining Sunshine Coast and Noosa Biospheres and communities.

“The expansion of the nationally important Noosa-Maroochy Wallum Corridor with this important acquisition provides crucial connectivity vital for biodiversity and threatened species.

“It is particularly significant to see the outstanding values and extent of the conservation estate on Kabi Kabi Country further increased through collaborative partnerships and management given the long-running campaigns first waged by the community over 20 years ago to establish the foundations of this incredibly important Protected Area.

“SCEC is absolutely thrilled with this latest acquisition and looks forward to further additions in future to safeguard habitat and ecosystems.”

Queensland Conservation Council Protected Areas Campaigner Nicky Moffat:

“Today’s announcement is a positive step towards protecting Australia’s most biodiverse state through the expansion of protected areas that our kids and grandkids can enjoy.

“Connecting the Doonan Wetlands Nature Refuge and Noosa National Park on Kabi Kabi land, with this bushland, will create a wildlife corridor that locals have been fighting for for a long time.

"Queensland has spectacular, unique natural and cultural landscapes and they need to be cared for. Well-funded protected areas are vitally important and it's great to see leadership from this Government towards the important goal of doubling Queensland’s protected areas estate.

“It’s great to see the vital habitat these forests create for threatened species like our iconic koalas will be protected from development and cared for in meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners, the Kabi Kabi People.”