‘Nature has no boundaries’: council collaboration wins honour

Thirteen Queensland councils have worked together to bring about big change for our environment.

For the past 25 years, under the banner of Land for Wildlife South East Queensland, these councils have harnessed the collective power for good, bringing 5600 private properties together for a common goal of preserving and improving our environment.

Now, the program has been recognised for its achievements, winning the 2024 Local Government Managers Australia (Qld) Awards for Excellence in the Collaboration category.

Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is fully funded and led by Sunshine Coast Council, Brisbane City Council, City of Gold Coast, Gympie Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City Council, City of Moreton Bay, Noosa Council, Redland City Council, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council.

The program’s services are free of charge to private landholders to support land conservation efforts through training, knowledge sharing, resources and on ground advice.

Sunshine Coast Council Division 10 Councillor David Law attended the awards and congratulated Land for Wildlife South East Queensland for being recognised for its long history of partnership between government and private landholders.

“There are currently 5600 properties protecting 79,000 hectares across the south east Queensland region,” Cr Law said.

“Nature has no boundaries, so collaboration across South East Queensland has been integral to the program’s success.

“Together, they are bringing back threatened species, restoring degraded lands and providing vital habitats for our wildlife.”

Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Tim Burns said Land for Wildlife was an example of how Council was working with our community to nurture and enhance our environment and quality of life.  

“This award recognises the 25 years of effort from many people, both staff and private landholders, and celebrates the successful collaboration of the 13 participating local governments across South East Queensland today,” Cr Burns said.

“They are all working together to achieve conservation outcomes across the regional landscape and I congratulate them for their enduring commitment to our environment.”

For more information or to join land for wildlife visit https://www.lfwseq.org.au/