Media releases
Media releases from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
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June 2025
- 13 Jun 2025
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Increase in illegal dumping in State forests
After noticing an increase in illegal dumping in State forests, rangers are warning people of the potential consequences.
- 12 Jun 2025
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Future conservationists get their hands dirty in Amamoor Valley weed battle
A powerful new partnership between Nambour TAFE and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is giving the next generation of conservation professionals hands-on experience in protecting native ecosystems.
- 12 Jun 2025
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Crocodile removed from Mareeba region
A site investigation by wildlife rangers on the weekend confirmed the presence of the crocodile, in a farm drain near Two Mile Creek at Biboohra, north of Mareeba.
- 9 Jun 2025
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Crackdown on illegal activity in national parks and State forests
Fines have been issued and people received warnings during a crackdown on vehicle offences and other compliance issues in the region’s national parks and State forests.
May 2025
- 26 May 2025
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$5 million for projects turning trash into treasure
Eight projects are turning old materials into innovative new products with support from the $5 million Circular Economy Investment Program.
- 26 May 2025
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Blackdown Tableland National Park temporary closure
Blackdown Tableland National Park is temporarily closed to allow roadworks aimed at improving visitor safety and access to be completed.
- 23 May 2025
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Nine-year-old bitten and dingo injured on K’gari
A nine-year-old boy has been injured after a dingo attack at Yidney Rocks at K’gari/Fraser Island.
- 23 May 2025
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Temporary closure of Byfield National Park section and adjacent beach
The Sandy Point section of Byfield National Park and adjacent beach will be temporarily closed from 26 May 2025 to 30 May 2025 for public safety and park preservation.
- 22 May 2025
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$2 million to extinguish battery fire risk in Queensland
Sparked by the recent spike in battery fires, the Queensland Government has committed $2 million to put out the battery fire risk in Queensland by expanding collection points.
- 22 May 2025
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Townsville man fined for illegal dumping
A man has received a hefty fine for unlawfully dumping rubbish in bushland in the Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.
- 20 May 2025
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Safeguarding Queensland’s iconic Great Barrier Reef and waterways
A bold new collaboration is set to transform water quality monitoring, analysis and publication across the Great Barrier Reef and South-east Queensland (SEQ) catchments.
- 20 May 2025
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Fine for possessing hatchling crocodile
A juvenile estuarine crocodile has been seized, and a man has been fined following a joint investigation in Cairns between the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and the Queensland Police Service.
- 19 May 2025
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Offset project to protect purple-necked rock-wallabies
The Queensland Government will help safeguard populations of purple-necked rock-wallabies through a $364,000 offset program that will improve crucial habitat in the state’s northwest.
- 19 May 2025
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Man bitten by dingo while fishing on K’gari
Rangers are reminding fishers to be alert on K’gari after a man was bitten by a dingo whilst fishing in knee deep water around 11:30am near Eurong on 16 May 2025.
- 16 May 2025
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Crocodile captured in Tyto Wetlands at Ingham
A 3.4-metre estuarine crocodile that was occupying a waterbody in Ingham’s Tyto Wetlands was removed from the wild on 10 May 2025.
- 15 May 2025
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First Nations historical artefacts: improving provenance accuracy and efficiency
Innovative Queensland-based organisations with a bright idea to improve how First Nations artefacts are identified are being encouraged to apply for a new challenge.
- 13 May 2025
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Temporary closures of national park campgrounds on Sunshine Coast
Campgrounds within Imbil State Forest and Conondale National Park (Charlie Moreland and Booloumba 4 respectively) will be temporarily closed until approximately 4 June 2025.
- 12 May 2025
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Cassowary release highlights importance of reporting all sightings
A young male cassowary has been rehabilitated and released into Wooroonooran National Park after being rescued from cane fields near Mourilyan in far north Queensland.
- 9 May 2025
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Dolphin euthanised after Townsville stranding
A rough-toothed dolphin has been euthanised after beaching itself near the rockpool at the Strand in Townsville.
- 9 May 2025
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Crocodile captured in Ross River in Townsville
A 2.8-metre estuarine crocodile has been captured in a floating trap on the Ross River near Aplins Weir on 8 May 2025.
- 7 May 2025
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K’gari’s annual planned burning program ignites for 2025
The flames of protection and renewal are lighting up K’gari once again as the island’s annual collaborative planned burning program sparks into action.
- 7 May 2025
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Rangers crack down on illegal activity in South Burnett State Forests
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is issuing a strong reminder to visitors about the serious consequences of illegal activity in State forests and national parks.
- 7 May 2025
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Kondalilla National Park temporary closure
Parts of Kondalilla National Park, including the Kondalilla Falls Lower Circuit are temporarily closed due to damage from flash flooding.
- 6 May 2025
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Crocodile captured in Little Annan River near Rossville
A 2.8-metre estuarine crocodile has been captured in a baited trap on the Little Annan River near Cooktown on 27 April 2025.
April 2025
- 30 Apr 2025
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Limited access returns to world class Ex-HMAS Brisbane dive site after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The Ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park dive site has partially reopened following a temporary closure in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
- 30 Apr 2025
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Illegal hunters catch heavy fines in Bribie Island National Park
Queensland Police Service (QPS), in collaboration with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), have fined two men for illegal pig hunting activity within Bribie Island National Park.
- 29 Apr 2025
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Helping Queenslanders co-exist with flying-foxes
Queensland communities will continue to receive critical support to reduce the nuisance impacts of flying-fox roosts, while supporting the conservation of these protected species.
- 29 Apr 2025
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Mapleton Falls tragedy
We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of a woman who died in tragic circumstances at Mapleton Falls on Friday.
- 23 Apr 2025
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Clean your boots – let’s fight phytophthora!
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is ramping up efforts to safeguard the iconic Bunya Mountains National Park from the devastating impact of phytophthora.
- 23 Apr 2025
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New QWildlife marine stranding app launched
The Queensland Government has added a new function to the QWildlife app, allowing marine strandings across the state to be reported in real time to the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).
- 22 Apr 2025
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Woman bitten on hands by dingo on K’gari
Rangers are investigating an incident that left the woman with two lacerations to the middle fingers on both hands.
- 22 Apr 2025
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Scaling up innovative Queensland businesses
Several of Queensland’s most promising enterprises can now accelerate their scale up journey through a new pilot program.
- 16 Apr 2025
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Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail reopened
The iconic Manjal Jimalji (Devil’s Thumb) trail has reopened following the realignment of a new access track to the trail head.
- 15 Apr 2025
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Company and its director handed fines, suspended jail term, for illegal operation of a waste facility in Eagleby
An asbestos removal and demolition company and its director have been sentenced for the illegal operations of their waste facility in Eagleby, after previously pleading guilty to similar offences late last year in one of Queensland’s worst-ever illegal asbestos waste matters.
- 10 Apr 2025
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Recovery work helping Daintree National Park (CYPAL) get ‘back to business’
Ongoing repairs and upgrades across Daintree National Park (CYPAL) are on track to reopen key visitor infrastructure in time for the Easter school holidays, ensuring visitors can explore the world’s oldest rainforest and support local tourism.
- 9 Apr 2025
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Anywhere at any time—Be Dingo-Safe!
Visitors to K'gari during the Easter school holidays are urged to prioritise safety and have an incident-free trip by following the Be dingo-safe! advice.
- 7 Apr 2025
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Large crocodile captured near Proserpine boat ramp
A 4.5m estuarine crocodile has been captured in a baited trap near the Proserpine River boat ramp at Conway on the Proserpine River in north Queensland.
- 2 Apr 2025
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Digging into soil conservation
Meet the women leading the next generation of soil stewardship from the ground up as they embark on a new graduate program led by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
- 2 Apr 2025
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Three women bitten by dingoes on K’gari
Rangers are investigating an incident where three female tourists were nipped on the lower legs by dingoes whilst they were walking on the track into Lake Wabby.
- 2 Apr 2025
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Diesel spill in Mooloolaba
A broken pump handle has resulted in approximately 1500 litres of diesel being released into the Mooloolah River at the Mooloolaba Harbour.
- 1 Apr 2025
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Tree harvester hit with fine for flattening vulnerable plants
A tree harvesting company recently received an $8,000 fine for damaging vulnerable native plants in the Gympie area.
- 1 Apr 2025
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Freshwater crocodile handed to DETSI
A small freshwater crocodile reportedly found near Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast has been handed over to wildlife rangers by a concerned member of the public.
- 1 Apr 2025
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Cardwell cassowary incident
A Cardwell man was taken to Tully Hospital on Friday 28 March 2025 after reportedly being kicked in the leg by an adult cassowary, which resulted in a 2-3 inch deep wound to his upper thigh.
March 2025
- 31 Mar 2025
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Regional University Industry Collaboration masterclasses
Dozens of university researchers and business stakeholders have been honing their partnership building expertise at masterclass events in Rockhampton, to support more regional Queensland research projects to get off the ground.
- 31 Mar 2025
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Large crocodile captured near Lucinda boat ramp
A large estuarine crocodile has been captured in a baited trap near the Dungeness Creek boat ramp at Lucinda in north Queensland.
- 27 Mar 2025
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Temporary park closures in Townsville
Townsville Town Common Conservation Park, Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park and Bowling Green Bay National Park are temporarily closed due to heavy rainfall and ongoing weather conditions in the area.
- 21 Mar 2025
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Rangers rescue critically endangered pregnant turtle
A female hawksbill turtle has been rescued and returned to the ocean by rangers after she became wedged beneath driftwood on Womer Cay in the far northern Great Barrier Reef.
- 20 Mar 2025
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Second crocodile captured near turf farm in Bohle River in weeks
A large estuarine crocodile has been captured in the upper reaches of the Bohle River in Townsville following reports from the community – the second large croc removed from the area in weeks.
- 19 Mar 2025
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Animal cruelty: International student receives prison term for wildlife smuggling
An international university student studying in Australia has been convicted of multiple wildlife trafficking offences and sentenced to eighteen months in prison.
- 18 Mar 2025
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Ex-HMAS Brisbane re-imagined by Cyclone Alfred
Sections of the ex-HMAS Brisbane, a former Royal Australian Navy warship that is one of Australia’s premier wreck-dive sites, have been redesigned by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
- 14 Mar 2025
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Smithsonian Fellowships now open
Queensland researchers and educators can now apply for a once-in-a-lifetime fellowship opportunity at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution.
- 11 Mar 2025
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Up to $630,000 for Queensland–Bavaria collaborative research
The latest round of grants under the prestigious Queensland–Bavaria Collaborative Research Program is now open, offering up to $630,000 in funding from the Queensland Government for innovative research projects.
- 7 Mar 2025
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Injured crocodile under investigation
A brutal attack on a crocodile which left it with an arrow or spear protruding from its head at Cape Tribulation is being investigated.
- 3 Mar 2025
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Grants to fuel future STEM pathways
The Queensland Government has committed almost $500,000 to encourage students to a consider a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) career and encourage communities to engage with science.
February 2025
- 28 Feb 2025
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Bookings closed and campers urged to consider leaving K’gari, Inskip and Cooloola ahead of cyclone threat
We are strongly advising campers to consider leaving K’gari, Inskip and Cooloola camping areas, while it is still safe to do so, with Tropical Cyclone Alfred influences starting to be felt in South East coastal areas today, and forecast to intensify.
- 26 Feb 2025
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Stay off saltpans – protect the environment and your vehicle
Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts in the Townsville region are urged to stop driving on saltpans due to the risks of getting bogged and having their vehicles written off.
- 25 Feb 2025
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Queensland launches coordinated feral cat management in Channel Country
An innovative new partnership funded by the Australian Government will help target feral cats across 180,000 hectares of south-west Queensland.
- 25 Feb 2025
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150 years since one of Australia's worst maritime disasters
Australia marks 150 years since the SS Gothenburg sank off Queensland, claiming 112 lives, including notable figures, and leaving a profound impact on the communities of Darwin and Adelaide.
- 25 Feb 2025
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Mount Beerwah update
There are no plans for Mount Beerwah to be permanently closed to the public.
- 20 Feb 2025
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Dumbleton crocodile sighting - Mackay
A crocodile that has moved into freshwater above the Dumbleton Weir in the Mackay region will be targeted for removal from the Pioneer River.
- 17 Feb 2025
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Child bitten by dingo at Yidney Rocks
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on K’gari after a twelve-year-old boy was bitten on the back by a tagged dingo near Yidney Rocks.
- 8 Feb 2025
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Crocodile euthanised during search for missing man in Aurukun
Wildlife officers, with the assistance of Queensland Police Service (QPS), have humanely euthanised a large crocodile as part of recovery efforts to locate a man who went missing from Aurukun on 1 February 2025.
- 6 Feb 2025
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Queensland rangers join Victorian bushfire battle
Five fire-trained Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) rangers are joining the fight against ongoing bushfires in western Victoria.
- 5 Feb 2025
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Update – Inskip crocodile sighting
Wildlife officers will continue searching for an estimated two-metre-long crocodile in the Inskip Point area after receiving further sighting reports and video of the animal in the ocean.
- 3 Feb 2025
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Inskip crocodile sighting
Wildlife officers are investigating after an estimated two-metre crocodile was seen on the beach in front of the Sarawak camping area at Inskip Point, near Rainbow Beach.
January 2025
- 30 Jan 2025
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$1.5 million for extended Flying-Fox Roost Management—Local Government Grant Program
Local communities are the winners with Queensland councils continuing to receive funding to reduce nuisance from flying-fox roosts and for projects helping residents and businesses co-exist with flying-foxes.
- 29 Jan 2025
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Wide Bay crocodile sighting – Update
Wildlife officers investigating multiple sighting reports of a crocodile south of Bundaberg last week did not observe the animal and believe it may have headed north.
- 26 Jan 2025
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Second long weekend dingo incident at Lake McKenzie
Visitors to K’gari are strongly urged to heed Be dingo-safe! messaging following two bite incidents reported this long weekend.
- 25 Jan 2025
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Child bitten by dingo on K’gari
Rangers are reminding parents to keep their children close this long weekend, after a child was bitten by a tagged female dingo on K’gari.
- 24 Jan 2025
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Wide Bay crocodile sighting
Wildlife officers are investigating multiple reported sightings of a crocodile on the beach and in the water at Coonarr Beach and Elliott River mouth in the Wide Bay region.
- 23 Jan 2025
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Investigation into attempt to hook crocodile
The discovery of a large, baited hook in the upper reaches of the Bohle River in Townsville is under investigation, with wildlife officers convinced it was set to catch a large crocodile in the area.
- 21 Jan 2025
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Child bitten by dingo at Kingfisher Bay
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on K’gari after a three-year-old child was bitten on the leg by a dingo on the beach near Kingfisher Bay.
- 20 Jan 2025
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Your Voice Matters: Shape the Future of Lake Eacham's Natural Sanctuary
Lake Eacham, a beloved locale just an hour's journey from Cairns, is renowned for its serene waters and ancient rainforest. The visitor amenities are on the brink of transformation – and we seek your guidance.
- 9 Jan 2025
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Spectacular near threatened snakes returned to wild
Eight snakes that were allegedly taken unlawfully from their habitat have been released back into the wild in far north Queensland following a tip-off, a vehicle intercept, and a seizure.
Previous years
Releases from previous years: