Queensland's largest nature refuge to protect outback treasures
More than 200,000 hectares of environmentally and culturally significant outback land has become Queensland's largest nature refuge through an agreement signed today, 1 February 2005, in Brisbane between the North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCO) and the Queensland Government.
The Mulligan River Nature Refuge is 200km south-west of Boulia with the red sands of the Simpson Desert marking the west boundary and the gibber plains the east.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle said the refuge, named after the ephemeral river that flows through the area, incorporated southern parts of the NAPCO cattle stations of Glenormiston and Marion Downs.
I applaud the North Australian Pastoral Company for its commitment to protecting Queensland s natural and cultural assets, Ms Boyle said.
"The conservation agreement will create the largest nature refuge in Queensland and protect almost 216,000 hectares of land of significant conservation value and cultural diversity.
The refuge will protect several regional ecosystems not presently conserved or with low representation in national parks or state reserves in Queensland, including Eucalyptus open woodlands that is of concern .
The Mulligan River Nature Refuge provides habitat suitable for rare and threatened animals including the mulgara, kowari, freckled duck, grey grass wren, night parrot and dusky hopping mouse.
It will protect a series of artesian mound springs known for their use by indigenous people, pastoralists and Afghan camel teams; and a wetland listed with national importance under the Commonwealth Directory of Important Wetlands, the Mulligan River Wheeler Creek Junction wetland.
NAPCO's Chief Executive Officer, Nigel Alexander said the pastoral company had sustainably managed the area of Mulligan River Nature Refuge for beef production, both breeding and fattening, for more than 71 years.
NAPCO and the majority of landholders in this part of Queensland follow a strong doctrine believing that success and profitability depends on knowing the land and working with it, Mr Alexander said.
NAPCO is pleased to be working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that key values of the area are preserved including significant Indigenous, Afghan and earlier pioneer history, while beef production continues profitably on the property.
"The company owns and manages 14 properties in western Queensland and the Northern Territory covering just under 6.4 million hectares as well as holdings in the Maronoa, Central Highlands and on the Darling Downs, Mr Alexander said.
Ms Boyle said the Mulligan River Nature Refuge would double the area protected through the nature refuge program and would be the first nature refuge in far western Queensland.
"Once an area is declared a nature refuge, the EPA provides advice and assistance to landholders about land management, plant and animal identification, and pest and weed control," Ms Boyle said.
Eligible owners of nature refuges can have their land tax reimbursed and for land bought after July 1, 2003 their stamp duty refunded.
"I encourage more landholders to consider making a lasting commitment to conservation in Queensland by considering committing part or all of their property to a nature refuge," she said.
ends
1 February, 2005
Media contact: Louise Foley 3227 8825 or Carissa Mason 3227 6424