- Queensland's protected area network will expand further following the purchase of three properties in Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria.
- The acquisitions include 137,000 hectares of Kendall River Station, 90,000 hectares of part of Westmoreland Station, and 169,000 hectares of Cliffdale Station.
- The landmark acquisition will safeguard critical habitat for threatened species including the palm cockatoo and grey falcon.
Almost 400,000 hectares of significant habitat across Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria will be protected for future generations through a major conservation partnership.
The Crisafulli Government and The Nature Conservancy have partnered to secure significant portions of Kendall River Station, Westmoreland Station and Cliffdale Station, with the Albanese Government also contributing to the purchase of Westmoreland Station through the Protecting Important Biodiversity Program.
The three properties contain nationally significant wetlands, savanna woodlands, permanent waterholes, and habitat for threatened wildlife.
The acquisitions include:
- Kendall River Station: 137,000 hectares, protecting important swamp mahogany and Darwin stringybark ecosystems and habitat for species including the palm cockatoo and white-bellied sea eagle.
- Westmoreland Station: 90,000 hectares, supporting threatened wildlife including the endangered Carpentarian grasswren, grey falcon and purple-crowned fairywren.
- Cliffdale Station: 169,000 hectares, containing 174 wetlands, with 93 per cent of the property identified as having high or very high aquatic conservation value.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said this was a fantastic conservation outcome.
"The Albanese Government's $3.5 million contribution to the purchase of Westmoreland Station is part of our $25 million Protecting Important Biodiversity Areas Program," Minister Watt said.
"We are proud to work with states and territories to secure nature for future generations, and this expansion will go towards our ambitious commitment of protecting 30 per cent of land by 2030.
"We have now protected over 25 per cent of Australia's land mass, up from 22 per cent when we came to government in 2022."
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said growing Queensland's protected area estate was an important part of protecting the state's unique natural environment for future generations.
"Since coming to government in 2024, we have been focused on growing Queensland's protected area estate while ensuring our national parks are properly managed and maintained," Minister Powell said.
"We want our national parks to be good neighbours, with practical land management that protects their environmental values while respecting surrounding landholders and communities.
"Partnerships like this are critical to achieving our ambitions, bringing together governments, conservation organisations and private supporters to protect more of Queensland's natural environment for generations to come."
The Nature Conservancy's Director of Conservation Tim Cronin said the property acquisitions were a remarkable achievement for biodiversity protection.
"This is a positive step toward Australia's commitment to protect 30 per cent of its lands and oceans by 2030, and more investment like this is critical to ensure nature in Australia can thrive," Mr Cronin said.
"We are very excited to be able to support these fantastic purchases for conservation, with the generous support of the Wyss Foundation and Holdfast Collective."
Wyss Foundation President Molly McUsic said they were proud to support the permanent protection of areas of north Queensland.
"These areas of north Queensland are home to numerous threatened birds as well as wetlands and other essential habitats."
"Philanthropy plays a critical role in accelerating the pace of conservation, and this partnership demonstrates the importance of strategic funding in meeting national and global biodiversity goals."
