- Weranga Scarps in southern Queensland will become the first officially recognised 'Conserved Area" under the National Other Effective area based Conservation Measures (OECMs) Framework.
- The 48-hectare private property contains habitat for threatened species including the yakka skink, koala and glossy black-cockatoo.
- Conserved areas represent a new conservation approach for Australia, supported by a $414,000 Crisafulli Government investment.
Queensland is making history by establishing Australia's very first officially recognised "Conserved Area" under a new Australian conservation framework – marking a groundbreaking step forward in protecting biodiversity beyond traditional protected areas.
Receiving this landmark recognition is Weranga Scarps – a 48-hectare privately owned property located 70 kilometres south-west of Dalby on Queensland's Western Downs.
Managed by Wildlife Land Fund Limited (WLFL), Weranga Scarps boasts ecologically rich eucalypt and cypress woodlands and provides important habitat for threatened species including the yakka skink, koala, and glossy black-cockatoo.
The land's "Conserved Area" status comes under the National Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) Framework, launched by the Australian Government in June 2024.
Under the framework, conserved areas allow for the formal recognition of areas that achieve long-term biodiversity conservation outcomes, even if biodiversity is not their primary land use objective.
Weranga Scarps' Conserved Area status will contribute to Australia's national target to protect and conserve 30% of land by 2030, consistent with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The site will be recorded on the World Database on OECMs, showcasing Queensland's leadership on the world stage.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the Albanese Government is committed to protecting 30 per cent of land by 2030, and approaches like this are an innovative way to help reach this target.
"We need to think outside the box to solve the biodiversity crisis," Minister Watt said.
"Weranga Scarps is home to iconic species like the koala and glossy black cockatoo, and it's a great example of nature and human activity coexisting. We're looking forward to seeing more Conserved Areas established."
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell, said Weranga Scarps sets an exciting precedent for conservation in Queensland and Australia.
"I am delighted to make this announcement on World Nature Conservation Day," Minister Powell said.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to working with landowners and non-profits to protect biodiversity in new and meaningful ways, and I look forward to announcing further conserved areas in the future.
"Unlike traditional protected areas such as national parks, conserved areas like Weranga Scarps offer an alternative approach – securing long-term environmental outcomes without changing land tenure and allowing landholders to manage their land consistent with their existing primary management objective.
"However, recognition under the OECM framework still requires robust management practices that safeguard the land's environmental values for the long-term."
To support this new conservation initiative, the Queensland Government is investing $414,000 over two years (2024–25 and 2025–26) in a pilot program to implement the national OECM framework across the state.
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and WLFL have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure Weranga Scarps' status as Australia's first conserved area.
An extensive assessment determined that the site meets all eligibility criteria, confirmed by the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW).
WLFL Chairperson Adrian Caneris said the WLFL was established by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld to facilitate an increase in private ownership of important wildlife habitats in Queensland for long term conservation outcomes.
"WLFL is excited to work with the Queensland Government and other landholders across the state to identify and recognise additional conserved areas under the OECM framework," Mr Caneris said.
"Our vision is to contribute to an ecologically sustainable future for people and wildlife by conserving Queensland's natural environment.
"We recognise that protection and sustainable management of our natural heritage requires a whole-of-community effort, with governments, businesses, local communities and land stewards all needing to play a role.
"Together, we're creating a more resilient and connected future for Queensland's biodiversity and securing Weranga Scarps and other lands under the new OECM framework goes a long way to helping us realise our vision."
