2019 media releases

    December 2019

    24 Dec 2019

    Yeppoon pollution event - update

    Test results by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) have revealed no further evidence of contamination in a wetland at Sandy Point Road at Yeppoon.

    24 Dec 2019

    Ten ways to reduce your waste these holidays

    Queenslanders are being encouraged to think about things they can do to reduce their impact on the environment this festive season.

    24 Dec 2019

    Play it safe in parks and forests this summer

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers are ready to welcome campers over the Christmas-New Year break and encourage visitors to check park alerts while planning their trips.

    24 Dec 2019

    Boaties reminded to go slow for those below

    Boaties are being urged to slow down for marine wildlife this summer as if they keep a good lookout and “go slow for those below” they can help protect turtles and dugong.

    24 Dec 2019

    Cassowaries – ancient, wonderful and dangerous

    As the Christmas holidays approach, it is important not to be lulled into a false sense of security by the majestic beauty of our wet tropical rainforests.

    16 Dec 2019

    Freshwater campground closed due to fire

    The Freshwater campground in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park is closed due to an active wildfire.

    13 Dec 2019

    Sunshine Coast camping spaces reduced due to drought

    National park and State forest camping areas in the Sunshine Coast hinterland will be operating at reduced capacity over the Christmas period, because of a water supply shortage.

    13 Dec 2019

    Motorist urged to stay on track when visiting Minjerribah

    Rangers on Minjerribah will be undertaking regular patrols during the school holidays with a strong focus on illegal motor bike use and unsafe use of motor vehicles.

    11 Dec 2019

    K'gari dingo humanely euthanised

    The dingo responsible for biting an eight year old boy on K’gari (Fraser Island) on December 7 has been humanely euthanised.

    9 Dec 2019

    Yeppoon barrel investigation update

    Test results have shown the levels of hydrocarbon contaminants in a wetland at Sandy Point Road at Yeppoon have decreased.

    2 Dec 2019

    Twelve turtles returned to Reef thanks to partnership

    12 additional green turtles now call the Great Barrier Reef home thanks to a partnership between the Department of Environment and Science (DES), the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Marine Park Authority) and James Cook University (JCU).

    November 2019

    22 Nov 2019

    Sections of Moreton Island reopens to campers

    The Department of Environment and Science (DES) has today confirmed the reopening of some sections of Moreton Island to visitors and campers following the recent wildfire event.

    13 Nov 2019

    Crocodile euthanised at Captain Billy’s Landing

    Wildlife officers have located and humanely euthanised a crocodile that attacked an off-duty Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) ranger on November 10 just north of Captain Billy’s Landing.

    11 Nov 2019

    Off-duty ranger attacked by crocodile

    Yesterday afternoon an off-duty ranger from Heathlands in far north Queensland was attacked by a crocodile.

    October 2019

    17 Oct 2019

    GDEMP approved

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

    September 2019

    25 Sep 2019

    Teewah camping partial reopening

    Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) will partially open the Teewah Beach Camping Area from the morning of Friday 27 September 2019.

    August 2019

    6 Aug 2019

    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 2019

    5 Jul 2019

    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.

    May 2019

    31 May 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    16 Apr 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    15 Mar 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    18 Feb 2019

    Adani BTFMP review report finalised

    The independent scientific review of Adani's Black-throated Finch Management Plan (BTFMP) has been finalised.

    18 Feb 2019

    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.

    15 Feb 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    25 Jan 2019

    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 2019

    '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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    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 2019

    Adani BTFMP and GDEMP

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