Media releases

Media releases from the Department of Environment and Science.

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June 2023

8 Jun 2023: Croc death investigation – Daintree River

A crocodile carcass discovered on the banks of the Daintree River is being investigated, with the Department of Environment and Science (DES) fearing the animal was targeted and deliberately killed.
8 Jun 2023: Illegal 4X4 session 'goes bad' for influencers

Two men have been fined a total of $15,500 after posting a video of themselves illegally driving through two protected areas north west of the Gold Coast, damaging native vegetation and culturally significant areas.
2 Jun 2023: Curtis Island bushfire – Update 2

A bushfire burning on Curtis Island since Sunday 28 May 2023 has been contained, protecting the island’s national listed key value parabolic and fore dune system.
2 Jun 2023: Large crocodile targeted for removal - Rockhampton

A floating trap has been deployed in the Fitzroy River to capture a large crocodile around ten kilometres upstream from the barrage.

May 2023

30 May 2023: Curtis Island bushfire – Update

Senior fire investigators will arrive on Curtis Island tomorrow to continue the investigation into the cause of a bushfire that started on Sunday 28 May 2023.
29 May 2023: Temporary closure – Mt Beerwah

Following the shocking environmental vandalism on Mt Beerwah last week, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), with the support of the Jinibara People, is temporarily closing the mountain to allow for reparations and cultural healing.
29 May 2023: Curtis Island bushfire suspected arson

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is using aerial and on-ground operations to contain a bushfire on Curtis Island that appears to have been deliberately lit.
28 May 2023: Crocodile Incident – Haggerstone Island

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is aware of reports of a crocodile incident on May 27 near Haggerstone Island, off the coast of far north Queensland.
26 May 2023: Shocking Mt Beerwah vandalism under investigation

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating the vandalism and defacing of a section of rock at the base of Mt Beerwah, in the Glass House Mountains National Park.
24 May 2023: Eastern ground parrot conservation works

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is embarking on a $1 million program to improve and conserve the heathland habitat of the eastern ground parrot in the Mount Coolum National Park.
23 May 2023: Lucky Queensland turtle released

A green turtle who has escaped two near-death experiences has been released again to the wild by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Sea World in celebration of World Turtle Day 2023.
17 May 2023: Duo sentenced for destroying protected plants, dumping waste

A property owner and his employee have been fined a total of $23,500 and ordered to pay a total of $4,398.18 in costs for destroying more than 20 protected grass trees and illegally dumping construction waste into a creek on the man’s residential property.
11 May 2023: Joint approach to cut down paper waste certificates

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is working closely with the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) to develop a nationally consistent integrated waste tracking system that will fully digitise the waste tracking process.

April 2023

30 Apr 2023: Missing man – Kennedy Bend, Rinyirru

Department of Environment and Science (DES) officers are assisting Queensland Police Service (QPS) with investigations after a report of a missing man.
28 Apr 2023: Planning a Bribie Island getaway this coming long weekend? Here’s what you need to know

With so much on offer at Bribie Island this Labour Day long weekend, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is reminding visitors and campers to plan ahead and be respectful so that everyone can have a safe and enjoyable experience.
19 Apr 2023: Cow Bay crocodile update

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has investigated the reported death and decapitation of a crocodile in far north Queensland.
18 Apr 2023: Entangled dolphin rescued, returned to reef home

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Marine Park Rangers and specialist staff from Sea World have returned a young bottlenose dolphin back off the coast of Brisbane following its rescue and recovery from a significant wound caused by severe fishing line entanglement.
17 Apr 2023: Have your say on the Noosa North Shore Landing Ground Reserve

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is seeking the community's input on the future tenure and management options of the Noosa North Shore Landing Ground for Aircraft Reserve.
13 Apr 2023: Dolphin feeding fine – Wide Bay region

A man has been fined $431 for hand-feeding a wild dolphin from a boat during a fishing trip in Tin Can Bay.
11 Apr 2023: Archer Point crocodile incident – update 2

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) conducted a spotlight search last night of waters at Archer Point and did not identify the target animal.
9 Apr 2023: Archer Point crocodile incident – update 1

Wildlife officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) arrived in Archer Point this afternoon to commence an investigation following yesterday’s reported crocodile attack.
8 Apr 2023: Archer Point crocodile incident

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is investigating after a man in his 40s was reportedly bitten by a crocodile at the Archer Point campgrounds (approx. 25km south of Cooktown) around lunchtime on 8 April 2023.
6 Apr 2023: Be dingo-safe - always

Visitors and residents to K’gari (Fraser Island) are urged to be dingo-safe at all times after a serious incident involving a six-year-old girl and a wongari (dingo).
4 Apr 2023: Crackdown on illegally dumped waste on Sunshine Coast

Environmental vandals on the Sunshine Coast are being warned – you will be caught and fined if you dump rubbish in national parks or State forests.
4 Apr 2023: Girl bitten by dingo on K’gari

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an interaction between a 6-year-old child and a dingo on K’gari (Fraser Island).
3 Apr 2023: Waratah Galilee Coal Mine EA refused

The Department of Environment and Science has refused the environmental authority application for Waratah Coal Pty Ltd.’s Galilee Coal Mine.
3 Apr 2023: Slow and steady wins the race – help us protect turtles and dugongs this Easter

These Easter holidays, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is putting boaties, fishers and jetski users on notice to Go Slow for Those Below – or risk a hefty fine.

March 2023

30 Mar 2023: Have a wildlife encounter these school holidays

Families will be able to get up close to nature these Easter school holidays thanks to an exciting array of activities and wildlife encounters on offer at David Fleay Wildlife Park and Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre.
29 Mar 2023: Cleanaway charges

Following an extensive investigation, the Department of Environment and Science (DES) has charged Cleanaway Solid Waste Pty Ltd with a number of offences in relation to its New Chum facility, including wilfully causing an environmental nuisance relating to odour in 2022.
29 Mar 2023: Band-aids, hair ties removed from protected K’gari lake

Hundreds of pieces of harmful plastics, including used band-aids, hair ties and broken swimming gear, have been removed from Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) on K’gari (Fraser Island) in the Great Sandy National Park.
27 Mar 2023: Carry On Fort Lytton!

“Carry On Fort Lytton” is the new educational program guaranteed to keep younger school students entertained this coming school holidays.
21 Mar 2023: Watch out for wongari when driving on K'gari

Rangers on K’gari (Fraser Island) are appealing to visitors and residents to slow down while driving on beaches and tracks following the death of another wongari (dingo).
20 Mar 2023: Crocodile removed, Coorumba

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have removed an estuarine crocodile from a creek near Innisfail after it displayed bold behaviour towards the officers.
14 Mar 2023: Watch out for wildlife in flood-affected areas

Heavy rain in parts of North West Queensland means crocodiles and snakes could turn up unexpectedly in flooded areas.
10 Mar 2023: Boodjamulla National Park closure

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has closed Boodjamulla National Park following the impacts of widespread heavy rainfall and severe flooding.
8 Mar 2023: Domestic dogs do not belong on K'gari

One person has been fined and others have fled in vessels after rangers intercepted them on K’gari (Fraser Island) with their domestic dogs.
7 Mar 2023: Man sentenced for illegally catching freshwater crocodiles

A man has been fined $12,000 in the Townsville Magistrates Court today after being found guilty of unlawfully catching or attempting to catch sixteen freshwater crocodiles from the Ross River.
3 Mar 2023: Review of groundwater modelling at Carmichael coal mine

Bravus has committed to undertaking further groundwater modelling at its Carmichael coal mine to ensure the early detection and prevention of any potential future impacts to the Doongmabulla Springs Complex.
3 Mar 2023: Operation Tensile targets scrap metal operations

A two-day compliance operation targeting 32 metal recyclers across southeast Queensland will result in enforcement action being taken at over 21 unlicensed sites.
2 Mar 2023: QPWS response – Weir River (near Moonie) bushfires

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are actively involved in the firefighting effort to support the ongoing bushfire response led by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) in the Western Downs region.
1 Mar 2023: Waddy Point beachfront camping area closure

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has closed the Waddy Point beachfront camping area on K’gari (Fraser Island) as a proactive measure following recent heightened wongari (dingo) activity.
1 Mar 2023: Loggerhead 'STAr' shines new light on her foraging journey

A female loggerhead turtle carrying a tracking device has provided valuable insights into the secret lives of these endangered marine animals as they forage and breed off the Wide Bay coast.

February 2023

24 Feb 2023: Update – Crocodile incident, Bloomfield

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have removed a 4.2 metre crocodile following investigations into an attack at Ayton on Wednesday.
23 Feb 2023: Crocodile incident, Bloomfield

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment and Science (DES) will target the crocodile involved in yesterday’s incident at Ayton, 50km south of Cooktown, for removal.
22 Feb 2023: $25,000 fine for unlicenced environmental activity

A Townsville demolition company was fined $25,000 in the Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday (21 February) after pleading guilty to an environmental offence.
17 Feb 2023: Arrow Energy – Hopeland – amended EA

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has issued an amended Environmental Authority to Arrow Energy under strict conditions, following a rigorous assessment process.
17 Feb 2023: QPWS response – Western Downs bushfires

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers are actively involved in the firefighting effort to support the ongoing bushfire response led by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) in the Western Downs Region.
17 Feb 2023: Rangers give striped possum ‘Beetlejuice’ a leg-up thanks to custom-made tree

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers have created a custom-designed habitat to give movement-impaired striped possum ‘Beetlejuice’, a wildlife ambassador at the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre, a more comfortable life.
16 Feb 2023: Show Cause letters for tearing up Pinnacles Reserve

Vehicle owners who accessed Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville recently have been issued Show Cause letters following an investigation by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS).
16 Feb 2023: Large crocodile removed from the wild – Mackay

The removal of a 3.8m estuarine crocodile from a creek near Mackay is a timely reminder for the local community to always be Crocwise around the region’s water bodies.
16 Feb 2023: Crackdown on illegally dumped waste – Townsville

Fresh investigations into illegal dumping in the Townsville region have been launched following the recent discovery of asbestos sheeting, household items, a burnt-out car and a pig carcass in bushland at the Pinnacles Reserve and at the Townsville Port Access Reserve.
6 Feb 2023: Fleay’s welcomes arrival of once thought 'extinct' joeys

Rangers at David Fleay Wildlife Park on the Gold Coast have welcomed the arrival of three endangered bridled nailtail wallaby joeys, supporting conservation of the once thought 'extinct' species through education at the park.

January 2023

24 Jan 2023: Be responsible while visiting Tableland lakes and creeks this Australia Day

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will once again be working with Queensland Police to make sure visitors spending Australia Day at some of the Atherton Tablelands most popular destinations are doing the right thing.
23 Jan 2023: Minjerribah crocodile investigation scaled back

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has scaled back the search following a possible crocodile sighting report on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
20 Jan 2023: Update - Minjerribah crocodile investigation

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is continuing to investigate crocodile sighting reports on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
20 Jan 2023: Monster cane toad removed from the wild

Rangers conducting track work in Conway National Park, near Airlie Beach, were shocked to find a monster cane toad beside the Conway Circuit last week.
19 Jan 2023: Minjerribah crocodile investigation

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has resumed the investigation following a crocodile sighting report at Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
18 Jan 2023: Quolls return to Tablelands home after epic journey to Victoria

A family of northern quolls is back home in Far North Queensland bushland after going on an accidental 5,600km return journey to Melbourne.
18 Jan 2023: Minjerribah crocodile investigation

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is investigating reports of a crocodile on Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
10 Jan 2023: Rangers, first responders frustrated by avoidable tragedies

Increased rain over the summer months can lead to dangerous swimming conditions within creeks and rockpools across Queensland National Parks.

Previous years

Releases from previous years: