Queensland Updates

Migrating oceanic sharks less protected than ever! - February 19, 2010

Populations of sharks are declining worldwide. Sharks continue to be at risk internationally from over-fishing, illegal trade (e.g. shark fins), habitat degradation, incidental bycatch as well as emerging threats such as climate change. Despite supporting their listings as internationally vulnerable on the IUCN red list and the Australian Government’s commitment to international shark protection and conservation, Environment Minister Peter Garrett suddenly changed his mind.

The myth of Northern Australia becoming the “food bowl of Asia” has been dealt a crushing blow - February 23, 2010

In early February 2010, the Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce released a scientific report produced by the CSIRO that examined the future of development in Northern Australia. The report emphasized that massive irrigated development would face substantial natural constraints and severely impact on the region’s fragile ecosystems.

Send an E-Postcard to save our marine turtles! - February 18, 2010

Sadly, all six of the seven species of marine turtles found on the Top End coast are listed as endangered or critically endangered under the ICUN threatened species list. Climate change, ghost nets, boat strikes, fishing gear entanglements and turtle-egg eating feral pigs are threatening their survival. However with your help we can prevent this from happening.

The Wilderness Society Queensland Festivals' Fun! - February 11, 2010

The Wilderness Society Queensland (TWSQ) has had a busy time over the festive holiday season with back to back festivals and events.

Abbott braving the rapids over Wild Rivers legislation - January 14, 2010

Tony Abbott’s "fair dinkum environmentalism" was spectacularly short-lived. If putting trade ahead of protecting whales, and labelling climate change concerns "crap" weren’t enough, Abbott has now launched a campaign to try to undo protections on pristine river systems on Cape York -- some of the last natural, free-flowing rivers in the country.

Crazy northern schemes torpedoed by reality check - October 09, 2009

In late September, Australia’s leading scientific research organisation, the CSIRO, provided a much needed reality check to mad schemes to turn northern Australia into a giant irrigated farm.

Mining the Wenlock? … what a croc! - October 13, 2009

Bauxite mining companies have the Wenlock River area firmly in their sights, but a looming decision by the Queensland Government on the Wild River declaration proposal for the Wenlock could protect one of Australia’s last free-flowing rivers and the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve from these destructive mines.

Northern Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area - September 02, 2009

On June 4 2008, Northern Kaanju Traditional Owners and their guests gathered on their homelands in central Cape York Peninsula to share in the celebration of the Capes first Indigenous Protected Area. Watch a short video of the declaration for the Northern Kaanju Ngaachi Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers Indigenous Protected Area (IPA).

The Cape York Peninsula conservation debate - June 23, 2009

Cape York Peninsula in far north Queensland is one of the largest intact and most diverse landscapes left on Earth. It is a land rich in nature and culture, where Indigenous peoples’ connections to their Country are active and strong. A worldwide study by Conservation International to identity the Earth’s last remaining wilderness areas lists Cape York Peninsula as one of “wildest tropical environments left on the planet.”

Cape York Peninsula - a step closer to World Heritage - May 25, 2009

The decision by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments to consider Cape York for World Heritage protection is both welcome and long overdue. What this means is that the two Governments are committed to jointly assess the region for World Heritage values, identify areas suitable for long term protection and ensure local community support before making a formal nomination to UNESCO.