- The Crisafulli Government is investing $6 million to support landholders voluntarily protect wildlife and habitat with incentives.
- NatureAssist will provide incentives and practical support for Queenslanders who choose to establish protected areas on parts of their property.
- The Nature Refuge Landholder Grant Program will help existing Nature Refuge landholders deliver practical conservation projects that improve biodiversity outcomes.
- The investment delivers on the Crisafulli Government's commitment to partner with landholders to grow Queensland's protected area network.
The Crisafulli Government is investing $6 million in the 2026–27 Queensland State Budget to partner with Queensland landholders who want to protect important wildlife habitats on their land.
The investment will support more Queenslanders to establish Nature Refuges and Special Wildlife Reserves through NatureAssist, while also helping existing Nature Refuge landholders improve conservation outcomes through the Nature Refuge Landholder Grant Program. It's just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.
NatureAssist provides practical support and financial incentives for landholders who voluntarily choose to protect areas of environmental significance on parts of their property through long-term conservation agreements.
The Nature Refuge Landholder Grant Program will help existing participants deliver practical on-ground conservation works, including habitat restoration, fencing, weed and pest management, erosion control and projects that strengthen biodiversity outcomes.
The Crisafulli Government's private protected areas program is focused on a simple principle: conservation outcomes are strongest when they are manageable, productive and voluntary.
That means supporting landholders to protect areas of environmental significance while continuing to manage the rest of their land.
After a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, the Crisafulli Government is taking a practical approach to conservation by partnering with Queenslanders to protect wildlife and habitat, while continuing to invest in strategic acquisitions where they deliver the greatest environmental benefit.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said protecting Queensland's environment was a shared responsibility.
"Nobody knows these landscapes better than the Queenslanders who care for them every day," Minister Powell said.
"This investment is about backing landholders who choose to permanently protect areas of environmental significance on their property, while continuing to manage the rest of their land.
"It's a practical partnership that helps protect wildlife and habitat while recognising the important role landholders play in caring for Queensland's environment.
"For existing Nature Refuge landholders, we're also helping fund practical on-ground projects that strengthen biodiversity and improve conservation outcomes.
"Growing Queensland's protected areas isn't just about strategic acquisition, it's also about working alongside Queenslanders who want to leave a lasting conservation legacy for future generations."
Queensland Trust for Nature CEO Dr Liz O'Brien welcomed the investment in private land conservation in Queensland.
"This isn't just good news for the environment - it's good news for Queensland," Dr O'Brien said.
"With less than a quarter of threatened species habitat protected in national parks, private land plays a critical role in protecting Queensland's biodiversity and this funding will help eligible landholders protect the vegetation, waterways and wildlife corridors that threatened species depend on," Dr O'Brien said.
"Investment like this gives eligible landholders the practical backing they need to deliver lasting conservation outcomes, while supporting activities such as weed control, fencing, pest management and improved land stewardship that benefit both productive properties and the landscapes Queensland communities rely on."
