Consultation on proposed amendments to the protected area estate

Closed
16 September 2025
Topic
Queensland parks and wildlife
Type
Public notice and consultation

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is proposing to make a number of amendments to the forestry and protected area estate and are seeking views in consideration of the Human Rights Act 2019, including Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural rights, and pursuant to section 70K of the Nature Conservation Act 1992, where appropriate.

The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation is proposing to make a number of amendments to the forestry and protected area estate and is seeking views in consideration of the Human Rights Act 2019, including Aboriginal peoples’ and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultural rights.

The proposals include redescriptions of parts of the parks and forests estate using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, for example, providing more accurate area calculation or simplifying the lot on plan description without changing the boundaries on-ground.

The aim of dedicating new or amending existing protected areas is to preserve, to the greatest extent possible, the area’s natural condition, to protect the area’s cultural resources and values and provide for ecologically sustainable activities and ecotourism. The proposals include changing the tenure of remaining forest reserves to protected area or State forest. The areas have been assessed for their conservation values and pre-existing interests such as permits and leases, to determine the most appropriate tenure.

In relation to the forest reserves that are proposed to be dedicated as protected areas, the department also gives notice pursuant to Section 70K of the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

The amendments proposed to be made are as follows:

Details of proposal Affected Legislation

Repeal of the Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 (the Regulation) in its entirety as the upcoming expiry of Part 4A Forest Reserves of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 on 31 December 2025, as per section 70R of the NCA will remove the head of power for the Regulation, making it redundant.

Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000

Tenure Local Government Area Details of proposal

Callide Timber Reserve

Banana Shire

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Callide Timber Reserve as lot 17 on SP346688, containing an area of 9,600.47 hectares (ha) (a decrease of about 32.8406ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 83 kilometres south-west of Gladstone.

Alcock Forest Reserve

Ravenshoe State Forest 3

Tully Gorge National Park

Cassowary Coast Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Alcock Forest Reserve as lots 1 and 3 to 5 on AP23973, containing a total area of about 3.4ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 44 kilometres south-west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • part of the forest reserve to be described as lot 1 on AP23973, containing an area of about 0.5ha, as part of Ravenshoe State Forest 3; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lots 3 to 5 on AP23973, containing a total area of about 2.9ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Tully Gorge National Park.

Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve

Herberton Range State Forest

Herberton Range National Park

Mareeba Shire

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Baldy Mountain Forest Reserve as lots 1 to 10 on AP23974, containing a total area of about 7,116.73ha (an increase of about 17.4223ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 2 kilometres west of Atherton; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described as lots 3 to 10 on AP23974, containing a total area of about 2,393.56ha, as part of Herberton Range State Forest; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lots 1 and 2 on AP23974, containing a total area of about 4,723.17ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Herberton Range National Park.

Connors Forest Reserve

Kelvin State Forest

Mackay Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Connors Forest Reserve as lot 46 on AP23975, containing an area of about 728.4ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 49 kilometres south of Mackay; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve as part of Kelvin State Forest.

Crediton Forest Reserve

Crediton State Forest

Eungella National Park

Homevale National Park

Eungella Conservation Park

Mackay Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Crediton Forest Reserve as lots 1 to 8 on AP23976, containing a total area of about 12,816.86ha (an increase of about 3.86ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 70 kilometres west of Mackay; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described lots 2 and 4 on AP23976, containing a total area of about 2,397.98ha, as part of Crediton State Forest; and

Revoke:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described as lots 1, 3, 5 and 6 on AP23976, containing a total area of about 9,136.62ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Eungella National Park; and

Revoke:

  • part of the forest reserve to be described as lot 8 on AP23976, containing an area of about 290.26ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Homevale National Park; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lot 7 on AP23976, containing an area of about 992ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as the new Eungella Conservation Park.

Danbulla South Forest Reserve

Danbulla State Forest 1

Danbulla National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards:

  • the entirety of Danbulla State Forest 1 as lots 2, 7 and 8 on AP23904, containing a total area of about 2,978.53ha (an increase of about 7.53ha); and
  • the entirety of Danbulla South Forest Reserve as lots 3 to 6 on AP23904, containing a total area of about 767.94ha (a decrease of about 2.24ha); and
  • the entirety of Danbulla National Park as lot 1 on AP23904, containing an area of about 11,438.14ha (a decrease of about 14.3ha); and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • part of Danbulla South Forest Reserve, to be described as lot 5 on AP23904, containing an area of about 22.8ha, as part of Danbulla State Forest 1, about 34 kilometres south-west of Cairns; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of Danbulla South Forest Reserve to be described as lots 3, 4 and 6 on AP23904, containing a total area of about 745.14ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Danbulla National Park, about 34 kilometres south-west of Cairns.

Danbulla South Forest Reserve 2

Danbulla National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Danbulla South Forest Reserve 2 as lots 10 to 14 on AP23904, containing a total area of about 43.23ha (a decrease of about 6.17ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Danbulla National Park, about 34 kilometres south-west of Cairns.

Danbulla West Forest Reserve

Danbulla State Forest 2

Mareeba Shire

Redescribe using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards:

  • the entirety of Danbulla State Forest 2 as lots 9, 15 and 17 on AP23904, containing a total area of about 32.78ha (an increase of about 0.56ha); and
  • the entirety of Danbulla West Forest Reserve as lot 16 on AP23904, containing an area of about 0.34ha (an increase of about 0.0048ha); and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve as part of Danbulla State Forest 2, about 38 kilometres south-west of Cairns.

Dinden West Forest Reserve

Dinden State Forest

Dinden National Park

Mareeba Shire

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Dinden West Forest Reserve as lots 1 to 4 on AP23978, containing a total area of about 3,963.61ha (a decrease of about 331.39ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 23 kilometres west of Cairns; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described as lots 1 and 3 on AP23978, containing a total area of about 941.99ha, as part of Dinden State Forest; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lots 2 and 4 on AP23978, containing a total area of about 3,021.62ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Dinden National Park.

Elgin Vale Forest Reserve

Wrattens National Park

Somerset Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Elgin Vale Forest Reserve as lot 1 on AP23979, containing an area of about 2,127.1ha (an increase of about 29.1ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 41 kilometres south-west of Gympie; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Wrattens National Park.

Gadgarra Forest Reserve

Gadgarra National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Gadgarra Forest Reserve as lot 2 on AP23980, containing an area of about 1 hectare, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 40 kilometres south of Cairns; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Gadgarra National Park.

Japoon Forest Reserve

Japoon National Park

Cassowary Coast Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Japoon Forest Reserve as lots 1 and 3 AP23981, containing a total area of about 2.7ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 15 kilometres south-west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Japoon National Park.

Koombooloomba South Forest Reserve

Koombooloomba National Park

Tablelands Regional

Cassowary Coast Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Koombooloomba South Forest Reserve as lots 1 to 5 AP23982, containing a total area of about 3,031.33ha (an increase of about 12.33ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 40 kilometres south-west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Koombooloomba National Park.

Kuranda West Forest Reserve

Kuranda State Forest

Kuranda National Park

Mareeba Shire

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Kuranda West Forest Reserve as lots 1 to 7 on AP23983, containing a total area of about 2,422.1ha (an increase of about 8.6ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 35 kilometres north-west of Cairns; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described as lots 1, 2 and 4 to 7 on AP23983, containing a total area of about 2,312.7ha, as part of Kuranda State Forest; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lot 3 on AP23983, containing an area of about 109.4ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Kuranda National Park.

Little Mulgrave Forest Reserve

Little Mulgrave National Park

Cairns Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Little Mulgrave Forest Reserve as lot 2 on AP23984, containing an area of about 1 hectare, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 22 kilometres south of Cairns; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Little Mulgrave National Park.

Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve

Malbon Thompson Range National Park

Cairns Regional

Revoke:

  • the entirety of Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve, described as lot 1 on AP23595, containing an area of about 1.7ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Malbon Thompson Range National Park, about 22 kilometres south-east of Cairns.

Mapleton Forest Reserve

Mapleton Conservation Park

Sunshine Coast Regional

Revoke:

  • the entirety of Mapleton Forest Reserve, described as lots 1 to 7 on AP19232, containing a total area of about 127.0088ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Mapleton Conservation Park, about 17 kilometres north-west of Maroochydore.

Maroochy Forest Reserve 2

Mapleton Conservation Park

Sunshine Coast Regional

Revoke:

  • the entirety of Maroochy Forest Reserve 2, described as lot 1 on AP19224, containing an area of about 1.38ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Mapleton Conservation Park, about 17 kilometres north-west of Maroochydore.

Mount Binga Forest Reserve

Mount Binga State Forest

Toowoomba Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Mount Binga Forest Reserve as lot 1 on AP23985, containing an area of about 1.3ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 55 kilometres north of Toowoomba; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve as part of Mount Binga State Forest.

Mount Fisher Forest Reserve

Maalan National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Mount Fisher Forest Reserve as lot 1 on AP23986, containing an area of about 0.8ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 51 kilometres west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Maalan National Park.

Mount Stanley Forest Reserve 1

Mount Stanley State Forest 1

Wrattens National Park

Somerset Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Mount Stanley Forest Reserve 1 as lots 1 to 9 on AP23987, containing a total area of about 3,399.38ha (an increase of about 4.38ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 41 kilometres south-west of Gympie; and subsequently

Set apart and declare:

  • parts of the forest reserve to be described as lots 1, 3, 5 and 6 on AP23987, containing a total area of about 1,668.49ha, as part of Mount Stanley State Forest 1; and

Revoke:

  • the balance of the forest reserve to be described as lots 2, 4 and 7 to 9 on AP23987, containing a total area of about 1,730.89ha, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Wrattens National Park.

Ravenshoe Forest Reserve 1

Tully Falls National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Ravenshoe Forest Reserve 1 as lots 1 to 3 on AP23988, containing a total area of about 2,201.6767ha (a decrease of about 39.3233ha), using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 60 kilometres west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Tully Falls National Park.

Tam O’Shanter Forest Reserve

Djiru National Park

Cassowary Coast Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Tam O’Shanter Forest Reserve as lots 1 and 2 on AP23989, containing a total area of about 2ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 40 kilometres south of Cairns; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Djiru National Park.

Tully Falls Forest Reserve

Tully Falls National Park

Tablelands Regional

Redescribe:

  • the entirety of Tully Falls Forest Reserve as lot 1 on AP23990, containing a total area of about 2ha, using contemporary survey and mapping technology and standards, about 60 kilometres west of Innisfail; and subsequently

Revoke:

  • the entirety of the forest reserve, to allow the area to be dedicated as part of Tully Falls National Park.

Curtis Island National Park

Gladstone Regional

Dedicate:

  • lot 5 on SP239340, containing an area of about 1,401.2ha, as part of Curtis Island National Park, about 10 kilometres north of Gladstone.

Any entity may comment about the proposal to the chief executive of the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, in writing and directed to tenureservices@detsi.qld.gov.au or Tenure Services, PO Box 15187, City East, QLD, 4002.

Comments received between 12 August 2025 and 16 September 2025 will be considered by the department.

Amendments to the QPWS managed estate under the Forestry (State Forests) Regulation 1987 and the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 are administered by the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.