Media releases

Media releases from the Department of Environment and Science.

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2019

August

6 Aug: Magnetic Island rangers prepare for fire season

Magnetic Island rangers are preparing for the upcoming fire season and will undertake a series of planned burns over the coming months.

July

5 Jul: High tides and high waves mean high risk for beach drivers

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) are reminding visitors to keep safe when driving on popular beaches along the Queensland coastline this weekend and remember if you drive on the dunes you risk an on-the-spot fine of more than $200.

June

13 Jun: GDEMP approved

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) approved Adani's Groundwater Dependent Ecosystem Management Plan (GDEMP) today (13 June 2019).

May

31 May: Black-Throated Finch Management Plan approved

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) approved Adani's Black-Throated Finch Management Plan (BTFMP) today (31 May).
30 May: Planned burns continue in central and western Queensland national parks

As temperatures drop, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is rising to the challenge of leading planned burns across central and western Queensland.
29 May: Planned burns in northern national parks

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has commenced its early dry season burning program across parks and reserves from Townsville to Cape York and west to the Gulf of Carpentaria.

April

16 Apr: Don't let Easter high tides become high water trouble

High tides associated with a full moon are well-known features of the Easter period and they are also well-known for putting people in danger and submerging their vehicles.
5 Apr: Girraween National Park is re-opening most walking tracks and camping areas for Easter

Most walking tracks and camping areas at Girraween National Park south of Stanthorpe will re-open before Easter, following the recent wildfire and water shortage issues.

March

15 Mar: Cardwell crocodile death update

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) and the Department of Environment and Science (DES) are investigating the suspicious death of an icon crocodile at Cardwell, in far north Queensland.
3 Mar: Fraser Island dingo update

QPWS rangers on K'gari (Fraser Island) have captured the second dingo identified in the attack on Thursday evening (28 February) near Eurong Beach.
1 Mar: Fraser Island dingo incident update

QPWS rangers on K'gari (Fraser Island) have identified two dingoes who attacked three people on Thursday evening (28 February) near Eurong Beach.
1 Mar: Fraser Island dingo incident

Visitors to K'gari (Fraser Island) are reminded to be dingo safe after two people, a woman and boy, were bitten on Thursday evening (28 February) near Eurong Beach.

February

18 Feb: Report all freshwater crocodile sightings - Townsville

The Department of Environment and Science is asking Townsville residents to report all sightings of freshwater crocodiles that were displaced by the flood event.
18 Feb: Adani BTFMP review report finalised

The independent scientific review of Adani's Black-throated Finch Management Plan (BTFMP) has been finalised.
15 Feb: BTFMP review will ensure best science for Black-throated finch conservation

The review of Adani's Black-throated finch management plan (BTFMP) by independent experts will ensure the plan is based on the best available science.
13 Feb: Abbot Point water sampling results received

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) today (13 February) received results from water testing the department undertook at the Abbot Point coal terminal on 8 February.
8 Feb: Abbot Point Coal Terminal release into Caley Valley

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has been advised by Abbot Point Coal Terminal of a release of stormwater from an authorised release point into the Caley Valley Wetland.
7 Feb: Safety for Queensland park and forest visitors during the Wet

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are urging people to stay out of flooded streams in national parks and State forests and be aware of changed conditions.

January

25 Jan: Drivers warned to stay off the dunes at Cooloola

Beach drivers at Cooloola north of Noosa are being warned to stay off the dunes as high tides threaten to make Teewah Beach impassable at times during the Australia Day long weekend.
24 Jan: 'Icon' crocodile had to be removed from the wild at Proserpine

Department of Environment and Science (DES) Wildlife Officers have urged people not to feed crocodiles after removing a 4.5m crocodile from the Proserpine River.
21 Jan: Dingo incident, Fraser Island

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Rangers are continuing to monitor a pack of dingoes on K'gari (Fraser Island) after a six-year old boy was bitten.
21 Jan: Share the love, not your rubbish, on Australia Day

Experiencing what the unique Atherton Tableland parks and forests have to offer is a great way to spend the Australia Day long weekend.
21 Jan: Expert review of the Black-Throated Finch Management Plan and Adani

The location of Adani's proposed Carmichael Coal Mine hosts the largest and most significant known population of the Black-Throated Finch in Australia.
18 Jan: Wildlife officers observe crocs in Fitzroy River

Department of Environment and Science (DES) wildlife officers have set traps for a 3-metre crocodile they observed in the Fitzroy River, near Rockhampton.
2 Jan: Adani BTFMP and GDEMP

Two plans are yet to be approved before any significant disturbance can commence at the Carmichael Coal Mine.

2018

December

19 Dec: Check tides and beach conditions at Cooloola

Big tides are likely to make Teewah Beach north of Noosa impassable at times during the Christmas / New Year break, and drivers are being reminded the dunes are not an alternative route.
12 Dec: Watch out for crocodiles and snakes in floodwaters

Heavy rain in parts of far north Queensland means crocodiles and snakes could turn up unexpectedly in flooded areas.
4 Dec: Park damage and recovery after fires

Queensland has experienced significant environmental damage following unprecedented bushfires.
3 Dec: Eungella National Park and greater area closed due to wildfires

Eungella National Park, Mackay Highlands Great Walk, Crediton, Cathu and Mia Mia State Forests have been temporarily closed due to wildfires.
3 Dec: Deepwater and Eurimbula national parks remains closed

All national parks and State forests in the Agnes Water area remain closed including Deepwater and Eurimbula national parks.

November

8 Nov: Environmental vandalism – damage to rock surface, Mount Ngungun, Glass House Mountains National Park

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) takes the vandalism of Queensland's protected areas very seriously, and strong penalties do apply.

October

25 Oct: US commercialisation expert wins QLD life sciences competition

A Californian commercialisation specialist will share his expertise with Australia's life sciences industry after winning his way to the upcoming AusBiotech National Conference, in Brisbane from 31 October to 2 November.

September

25 Sep: Update: Inskip nearshore landslip

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers have inspected the nearshore landslip site again this morning (25 September 2018) and will continue to monitor the area.
24 Sep: Inskip Point nearshore landslip

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are monitoring erosion which has occurred overnight (Sunday 23 to Monday 24 September 2018) at Inskip Point.
19 Sep: Crocodile management zone changed in Cairns Regional Council area

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) will amend the Crocodile Management Plan's zoning area near Babinda.
5 Sep: Abbot Point Bulkcoal charged over Abbot Point sediment water discharge

The environmental regulator has taken further action against Abbot Point Bulkcoal Pty Ltd (APBC) over an unauthorised discharge of sediment water from the Abbot Point coal terminal during Cyclone Debbie.

August

29 Aug: Upgrade for Mount Coolum summit trail

The summit viewing area and top section of the Mount Coolum National Park walking track will be closed to the public between 7am and 5pm weekdays from Wednesday 29 August to Friday 16 November 2018, due to upgrade works.
3 Aug: Freshwater crocodile spotted in Bowen lagoon

Wildlife officers are urging people in Bowen to be vigilant but not alarmed if they see a small crocodile in Mullers Lagoon.

July

19 Jul: Beekeeping in State forests and national parks

Thousands of apiary sites are permitted on Queensland's State forests. The Queensland Government has no plans to discontinue beekeepers' access to these sites. Beekeeping on State forests is enshrined in Queensland legislation.
17 Jul: Drought forces temporary closure at Girraween

Camping areas in Girraween National Park south of Stanthorpe are closed temporarily, until further notice, due to shortage of water supply to the campgrounds.
9 Jul: Dingo incidents in Eurong area lead to euthanasia

On 2 July 2018, a dingo was euthanised on K'gari (Fraser Island) after a series of aggressive incidents occurred on the beach. The incidents included biting a woman near Lake Wabby on 30 June, biting a child at Eurong on 1 July 2018 and aggressive behaviour towards a female backpacker at Eurong on 2 July 2018.

June

26 Jun: Have your say on the keeping and trading of protected animals in Queensland

Queenslanders are invited to have their say on a review of how the state's protected birds, reptiles, mammals, insects and amphibians are managed through the wildlife licensing system, with submissions closing at 5pm on 29 June 2018.
22 Jun: Frankland and North Barnard islands reopen after control work

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has completed its work to control black rats in the Frankland and North Barnard Islands Groups National Parks south-east of Cairns, with no interruption to diving and snorkelling tours during the work.

May

31 May: Frankland and North Barnard Island Group National Parks Pest Management Program

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will carry out a Pest Management Program in the Frankland and North Barnard Island Group National Parks for the control of black rats (Rattus rattus) between Monday 28 May 2018 and Friday 15 June 2018, weather permitting.