Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (reporting period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Prepared by: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

© State of Queensland, 2014. The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence.

Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication. For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en

If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) on 131 450 and ask them to telephone Library Services on +61 7 3170 5470. This publication can be made available in an alternative format (e.g. large print or audiotape) on request for people with vision impairment; phone +61 7 3170 5470 or email .

October 2014

Contents Introduction ...... 1 Nature Conservation Act 1992—departmental administrative responsibilities ...... 1 List of legislation and subordinate legislation ...... 1 Amendments ...... 2 Nature Conservation Act 1992 ...... 2 Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 ...... 3 Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007...... 4 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 ...... 4 Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 ...... 5 Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005 ...... 5 Nature Conservation (Macropod Harvest Period 2014) Notice 2013 ...... 5 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 ...... 5 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 ...... 6 Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Conservation Plan 2000 ...... 6 Nature Conservation (Protected Plants Harvest Period) Notice 2013 ...... 6 Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 ...... 7 Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 ...... 8 Protected areas...... 8 Protected area authorities ...... 8 Trustees ...... 9 Commercial activity agreements ...... 9 Conservation agreements for nature refuges ...... 9 Forest reserves ...... 9 Wildlife and habitat conservation ...... 9 Wildlife licences, permits and other authorities ...... 9 Critical habitats and areas of major interest ...... 9 Declarations ...... 10 Interim conservation orders ...... 10 Management statements, management plans and conservation plans ...... 10 Management statements and management plans ...... 10 Conservation plans ...... 10 Administration ...... 10 Conservation officers ...... 10 Offences and prosecutions ...... 11 TABLES ...... 12

iii Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Introduction The Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) provides a legislative basis for the conservation of nature while recognising Indigenous interests and allowing for social, cultural and commercial use of protected areas, consistent with the natural and cultural values of the areas. The NC Act aims to achieve the conservation of nature through an integrated and comprehensive conservation strategy for the whole of the state and provides the framework for research; community education; dedicating, declaring and managing protected areas; and protecting native wildlife and its habitat. The NC Act allows for the ecologically sustainable use of wildlife and protected areas and recognises the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in nature and their cooperative involvement in its conservation. The Act supports tourism and recreation in protected areas, and encourages the cooperative involvement of landholders and the community to achieve the sustainable use of land and natural resources and the conservation of nature through the use of voluntary agreements. The NC Act also provides for the making of subordinate legislation including regulations, notices and conservation plans. This report details the subordinate legislation under the Act and any amendments made during 2013–14. Under section 139 of the NC Act, the chief executive must, within four months after the end of each financial year, give to the Minister a report on the administration of this Act during the year. The Minister must lay a copy of the report before the Legislative Assembly within 14 sitting days after its receipt by the Minister.

Nature Conservation Act 1992—departmental administrative responsibilities During the reporting period of 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014, the NC Act was jointly administered consistent with the Administrative Arrangements Order (No. 1) 2013 and Administrative Arrangements Order (No. 2) 2013 as follows:  The Department of National Parks, Recreation Sport and Racing (NPRSR), through the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), is responsible for the management of the protected area estate and forest reserves, excluding nature refuges.  The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) is responsible for nature refuges and protected wildlife.  The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is responsible for demonstrated and exhibited native animals.

List of legislation and subordinate legislation Nature Conservation Act 1992 Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007 Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005 Nature Conservation (Macropod Harvest Period 2014) Notice 2013 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Conservation Plan 2000 (repealed) Nature Conservation (Protected Plants Harvest Period) Notice 2013 (repealed) Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006.

1 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Amendments

Nature Conservation Act 1992 The NC Act was amended five times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – assent 28 October 2011; commenced 29 October 2013: The Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 amended the NC Act to insert requirements for the chief executive (lands) to be notified of details of protected areas, Indigenous joint management areas, forest reserves, and any leases over these particular areas, and the details of conservation agreements, to enable these to be recorded in the appropriate land register. It also inserted amendments to allow for the grant of rights to deal in carbon abatement products, consistent with the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 (Commonwealth). Amendment 2 – assent 29 October 2013; commenced 31 March 2014: The Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2013 ensured the effective operation of the new protected plants legislative framework by amending the NC Act to:  clarify ambiguous provisions and remove provisions that are better placed in subordinate legislation  remove exemptions that are no longer relevant under the new framework  stipulate when permits and licences can be issued for particular purposes and provide clarification on the types of conditions and requirements that can be imposed on certain activities  clarify when offsets can be required  enable the chief executive to make assessment guidelines, against which any application for clearing, harvesting or growing of protected plants can be assessed  enable the chief executive to require a person impacting on a protected plant to pay the relevant conservation value assigned to the plant in certain circumstances. Amendment 3 – assent 7 November 2013; NC Act amendments variously commenced 7 November 2013 and 28 March 2014. Some NC Act amendments are not yet commenced, as indicated below: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 amended the NC Act to:  clarify the object of the Act to acknowledge recreational and commercial uses in protected areas, while continuing to retain a focus on nature conservation  combine national park, national park (scientific) and national park (recovery) into one class of protected area called ‘national park’  provide for the declaration of special management areas over national park areas to allow actions for scientific and recovery purposes and to allow sustainable existing uses to continue  combine the protected area classes of conservation park and resources reserve into one class called ‘regional park’  provide for the designation of regional park as either ‘general use’ (which excludes activities such as mining, gas extraction or quarrying) or ‘resource use area’ (which can allow such activities)  remove the ability to declare any new coordinated conservation areas  remove the ability to declare any further forest reserves  repeal the forest reserve provisions (these amendments are uncommenced as at 30 June 2014; they will be commenced following review and reclassification of the existing forest reserves)  abolish the protected area classes of wilderness area, World Heritage management area, and international agreement area  revise the management principles for protected area classes consistent with the changes to the classes  streamline management planning processes for protected areas, including allowing preparation of a management statement as an alternative to a management plan  streamline processes for conservation plans  reduce the State’s exposure to liability arising out of incidents that occur on protected areas, with specified exceptions  create a new offence for commercial premises selling meat or other products sourced from dugong or marine turtle  make miscellaneous amendments to improve the operation of the Act.

2 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Amendment 4 – assent 28 May 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Land and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 amended the NC Act to ensure that the term of any rolling term lease granted, under the Land Act 1994, over a protected area cannot be extended without the agreement of the chief executive under the NC Act. Amendment 5 – assent 28 May 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (EO Act) amended the NC Act to clarify that a protected area authority or wildlife authority can include an ‘environmental offset condition’ requiring the authority holder to provide an environmental offset, as provided under the EO Act. The amendments also provide that, if any aspect of an environmental offset condition in a protected area authority or wildlife authority is inconsistent with a ‘deemed condition’ specified in the EO Act, then the deemed condition prevails.

Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 The Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 contains the administrative matters applicable to the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006, the Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 and conservation plans made under the NC Act. This regulation was amended 13 times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified 21 June 2013; commenced 1 July 2013: The Agriculture and Fisheries Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended regulated fees for wildlife demonstrator licences and wildlife exhibitor licences. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 20 September 2013: The National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended regulated fees for protected area permits and agreements. Amendment 3 – notified and commenced 27 September 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 amended references to particular wildlife authorities to reflect a name change, and made minor amendments to clarify the intent of the regulation and correct existing errors. Amendment 4 – notified and commenced 18 October 2013: The Environment and Heritage Protection Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended regulated fees for wildlife licences, permits and authorities. Amendment 5 – notified 22 November 2013; commenced 24 November 2013: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 increased the maximum allowable term of a stock mustering permit for protected areas from 60 days to one year. It also inserted provisions to allow a simpler process for renewing commercial activity permits when the locations and activities under the permit will remain substantially the same. Amendment 6 – notified and commenced 29 November 2013: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 provided for a new flying-fox roost management permit. Amendment 7 – notified 28 March 2014; commenced 31 March 2014: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment and Repeal Regulation (No. 1) 2014 facilitated the implementation of a new legislative framework for protected plants by amending the number and type of licences, permits and authorities, introducing a new fee system and specifying administrative requirements for the new permits and licences. Amendment 8 – notified and commenced 28 March 2014: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 made amendments to give effect to changes in protected area classes resulting from amendments to the NC Act made by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 (see NC Act amendment 3 above). It also amended the fee schedule for commercial activity permits for commercial filming or photography to reflect changed permit exemptions inserted in the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006. (For details see amendment 6 to that regulation below.)

3 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Amendment 9 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Further Education and Training Regulation 2014 amended the provision providing exemption from fees for collection authorities by replacing reference to ‘a university or university college’ with reference to ‘a registered higher education provider’. Amendment 10 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Agriculture and Fisheries Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended regulated fees for wildlife demonstrator licences and wildlife exhibitor licences. Amendment 11 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Environment and Heritage Protection Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended regulated fees for wildlife licences, permits and authorities. Amendment 12 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended regulated fees for protected area permits and agreements. Amendment 13 – notified 27 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 inserted an amendment to clarify that a condition of a wildlife authority can require the applicant to provide an environmental offset under the Environmental Offsets Act 2014.

Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007 The Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007 was amended once in 2013–14. Amendment – notified and commenced 18 October 2013: The Environment and Heritage Protection Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended regulated fees for the crocodile charge.

Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 The Nature Conservation (Forest Reserves) Regulation 2000 contains a schedule listing the names and descriptions of Land Act reserves, State forests, timber reserves and unallocated State land declared as a forest reserve under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This regulation was amended four times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified and commenced 23 August 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended entries for forest reserves under the schedule as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 18 October 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2013 amended entries for forest reserves under the schedule as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 3 – notified and commenced 22 November 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 2013 amended entries for forest reserves under the schedule as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 4 – notified and commenced 23 May 2014: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended entries for forest reserves under the schedule as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature.

4 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 The Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 was amended once in 2013–14. Amendment – notified and commenced 27 September 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 amended the name of a wildlife authority to clarify the intent of the authority.

Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005 The Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005 was not amended in 2013–14.

Nature Conservation (Macropod Harvest Period 2014) Notice 2013 The Nature Conservation (Macropod Harvest Period 2014) Notice 2013 replaced the Nature Conservation (Macropod Harvest Period 2013) Notice 2012, which expired on 31 December 2013.

Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 provides for the management and use of Queensland’s protected area estate. This regulation was amended seven times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified and commenced 13 September 2013: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 amended schedule 3 to include specific service facility uses as permitted uses for Capricornia Cays National Park and Hull River National Park, and schedule 4 to include maintenance of specified water and power facilities as permitted uses for Molle Islands National Park. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 20 September 2013: The National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended the royalty payable for quarry material from a resources reserve. Amendment 3 – notified 22 November 2013; commenced 24 November 2013: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 amended the regulation to allow for regulatory notices to permit and regulate horse riding in national parks and national parks (recovery). Amendment 4 – notified and commenced 20 December 2013: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2013 amended schedule 3 to insert the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway as a permitted ecotourism facility use for Wooroonooran National Park. Amendment 5 – notified and commenced 7 February 2014: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended schedule 3 to include or amend specific service facility uses as permitted uses for Mount Cook National Park, Bowling Green Bay National Park, Burrum Coast National Park, Conway National Park and Lizard Island National Park. Amendment 6 – notified and commenced 28 March 2014: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended the regulation to give effect to changes in protected area classes resulting from amendments to the NC Act made by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 (see NC Act amendment 3 above). Amendment 7 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended the royalty payable for quarry material from a regional park (resource use area).

5 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 contains schedules listing the names, former descriptions and current descriptions of State and private land declared as a protected area under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This regulation was amended eight times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified and commenced 23 August 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended entries for national parks under schedule 2 and conservation parks under schedule 3 as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 18 October 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2013 amended entries for national parks under schedule 2 as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 3 – notified and commenced 22 November 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 2013 amended entries for national parks under schedule 2 as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 4 – notified and commenced 29 November 2013: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 3) 2013 amended entries for national parks under schedule 2 and national parks (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) under schedule 2AA as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 5 – notified and commenced 29 November 2013: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 4) 2013 amended entries for nature refuges under schedule 5 as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 6 – notified and commenced 28 March 2014: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended the regulation to remove the tenure classes of national park (scientific), national park (recovery), conservation park and resources reserve, and insert new tenure classes for regional parks (general) and regional parks (resource use area). The regulation also amended schedule 2 and schedule 4A to amend the gazetted names of protected areas and Indigenous joint management areas to reflect the new tenure classes. Amendment 7 – notified and commenced 2 May 2014: The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended entries for nature refuges under schedule 5 as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature. Amendment 8 – notified and commenced 23 May 2014: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended entries for national parks under schedule 2 and national parks (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) under schedule 2AA as part of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s tenure program, which dedicates and declares protected areas to achieve the conservation of nature.

Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Conservation Plan 2000 The Nature Conservation (Protected Plants) Conservation Plan 2000 was repealed on 31 March 2014 by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment and Repeal Regulation (No. 1) 2014.

Nature Conservation (Protected Plants Harvest Period) Notice 2013 The Nature Conservation (Protected Plants Harvest Period) Notice 2013 was repealed on 31 March 2014 by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment and Repeal Regulation (No. 1) 2014.

6 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 The Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 was amended six times in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified and commenced 27 September 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 amended the regulation to:  reduce regulatory burden on clients and government by delivering streamlined, improved wildlife management practices (for example, removing the requirement to obtain an export agreement when moving protected animals from Queensland to another country)  remove legislative duplication  clarify the intent of regulations and correct existing errors  amend references to particular wildlife authorities and codes to reflect a name change  streamline administrative process associated with damage mitigation permits. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 18 October 2013: The Environment and Heritage Protection Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended the regulation to amend conservation values to reflect CPI adjustment. Amendment 3 – notified and commenced 29 November 2013: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2013 amended the regulation to:  create a new authority to authorise flying-fox roost management activities  authorise local governments to undertake roost management activities in specified urban areas without the requirement for a permit  introduce statutory codes of practice to provide further detail as to how actions relating to flying-foxes may be undertaken. Amendment 4 – notified 28 March 2014; commenced 31 March 2014: The Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment and Repeal Regulation (No. 1) 2014 ensured the effective operation of the new protected plants legislative framework by amending the regulation to:  deregulate the trade of protected plants, provided lawful records are kept of trade and movement  remove the regulation of least concern protected plants for harvesting, growing and clearing activities, where the plants do not form supporting habitat of endangered, vulnerable or near threatened plants  provide a protected plant harvesting licence to create opportunities for the harvest of whole plants and plant parts, where the applicant can demonstrate the sustainability of the harvest  provide a protected plant growing licence to regulate the sustainable harvest of whole protected plants or plant parts, for the cultivation or propagation of protected plants  introduce a risk-based framework for the regulation of clearing activities, where a protected plant clearing permit is only required for activities considered as high risk  provide an exemption from a clearing permit for low risk clearing activities, where there is no record of endangered, vulnerable or near threatened plants present  introduce a number of new offences, exemptions and definitions to support the revised framework. Amendment 5 – notified 20 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Environment and Heritage Protection Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended fees for the conservation value for protected wildlife. Amendment 6 – notified 27 June 2014; not commenced in 2013–14 (commenced 1 July 2014): The Environmental Offsets Regulation 2014 amended the regulation to provide for the chief executive to impose an environmental offset condition on a protected plant clearing permit, if the clearing will result in a significant residual impact to plants that are listed as either endangered or vulnerable wildlife.

7 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 The Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulation 2006 was amended twice in 2013–14. Amendment 1 – notified and commenced 27 September 2013: The Nature Conservation Legislation Amendment Regulation (No. 2) 2013 made minor amendments to clarify the intent of the regulation. Amendment 2 – notified and commenced 9 May 2014: The Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Amendment Regulation (No. 1) 2014 amended the regulation to reclassify 94 species of plants and update the scientific names of 35 plants to reflect current scientific knowledge. Four species were deleted from the regulation as they are now considered to be introduced species.

Protected areas The NC Act provides for areas to be dedicated or declared as protected areas in the interests of nature conservation. In March 2014, provisions inserted into the NC Act by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 commenced which, inter alia, consolidated the classes of protected areas under the NC Act. The provisions amalgamated the existing classes of national park (scientific) and national park (recovery) into the class of ‘national park’. Additionally, the protected area classes of conservation park and resources reserve were abolished and amalgamated into a new class entitled ‘regional park’. Finally, the protected area classes of wilderness area, World Heritage management area, and international agreement area were removed from the Act as they had never been used and were no longer required. In addition, several new mechanisms for managing protected areas were inserted into the NC Act. In order to provide for resource extraction from regional parks in a manner similar to the former resources reserves, a regional park, or part of a regional park, may be declared by regulation at the time of the park’s creation to be a ‘resource use area’. Similarly, the introduction of ‘special management areas’ in national parks, allows for management of a national park, or part of a national park for ‘controlled action’ or ‘scientific use’. While special management areas are not a class of protected area or declared by regulation, recording their establishment in this report is important to illustrate the transition to, and operation of, the new protected area framework. Tables A–D detail the changes made to protected areas in 2013–14 and reflect the changes to the classes of protected areas and the introduction of special management areas and regional parks (general) and regional parks (resource use area).

Protected area authorities Sections 34–38, 42AD–42AEA and 42AN–42AP of the NC Act deal with the granting of authorities for the use of national parks, national parks (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) and regional parks, and the former national parks (scientific), national parks (recovery), conservation parks and resources reserves (which as previously outlined have now been amalgamated to the national park and regional park protected area classes). Sections 37 and 38 include provision for leases issued under the Land Act 1994 and continuing authorities under the repealed National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975. Under these provisions of the legislation, leases and authorities can, in specific circumstances, be issued for purposes that include but are not limited to grazing, ecotourism, communications and water extraction. The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 provides for activities to be undertaken on protected areas by permit, authority or agreement. The Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 outlines the administrative matters relating to the grant, amendment, suspension, cancellation, surrender and replacement of relevant authorities and the requirements applying to carrying out activities under a relevant authority provided for by the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006. A summary of authorities that are current or that were granted, refused, withdrawn, suspended or cancelled in 2013–14 is provided in Table E. There were no internal or external appeals related to the grant of authorities during 2013–14, as shown in Table F.

8 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Additional information relating to the administration of selected camping and commercial activity permits and agreements in 2013–14 is provided in Table G. Under section 39B of the NC Act, the chief executive may, before the interest is created, require a person seeking an interest in land in a protected area to give the chief executive an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the use, or a stated use, of the land under the interest. Table H shows that no EISs were required or considered under this provision during 2013–14. This table includes only statements required in addition to EISs prepared under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Under section 174A of the NC Act, the chief executive may, by gazette notice, approve or make codes of practice for protected areas, forest reserves or protected wildlife. NPRSR has also developed memorandums of understanding with selected parties to facilitate the reduction of red tape in the administration of protected area permits. A summary of protected area codes of practice and memorandums of understanding is provided in Table I.

Trustees Section 31 of the NC Act provides that a regional park (formerly conservation park or resources reserve) may be placed under the management of trustees. Trustees are listed in schedules 1 and 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006.

Commercial activity agreements The Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Management) Regulation 2006 provides for authorised activities to be allowed on protected areas. Part 3 of the Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 outlines the process for consideration of commercial activity agreements on protected areas. Commercial activity agreements in force during 2013–14 are listed in Table J.

Conservation agreements for nature refuges Provision is made under section 45 of the NC Act for the State to enter into conservation agreements with landholders to assist in the conservation of land and wildlife. Table K lists the conservation agreements (nature refuges) executed during 2013–14.

Forest reserves Changes to the status of forest reserves during 2013–14 are detailed in Table L.

Wildlife and habitat conservation

Wildlife licences, permits and other authorities Licences, permits or other authorities are required for the taking and use of protected wildlife. This ensures that use is ecologically sustainable and wild populations are protected. The maximum duration of permits and licences varies from two months to five years. Scientific purposes permits were issued to research and educational organisations including universities and government departments. Summaries of information relating to wildlife licences and wildlife permits are detailed in Table M and Table N. Under section 174A of the NC Act, the chief executive may, by gazette notice, approve or make codes of practice for protected wildlife. A summary of wildlife codes of practice is provided in Table O. Under section 100A of the NC Act, the Minister may enter into a captive breeding agreement for protected wildlife and authorise the required take of protected wildlife from the wild. A summary of captive breeding agreements is provided in Table P.

Critical habitats and areas of major interest No critical habitats or areas of major interest were determined during 2013–14.

9 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Declarations No special management declarations for marine mammals were made under the NC Act during 2013–14.

Interim conservation orders No interim conservation orders were issued under sections 102–109 of the NC Act during 2013–14.

Management statements, management plans and conservation plans

Management statements and management plans Sections 111–119B of the NC Act outline the process of developing management statements and management plans for protected areas. The responsible Minister must give public notice and invite submissions on management plans. Management plans are documents that provide an important source of clear management direction and priority actions for QPWS managed areas. Management plans for protected areas are reviewed within 10 years of their approval. As at 30 June 2014, 79 protected area management plans covering 94 protected areas have been approved by the Governor in Council. Three protected areas previously covered by management plans have been amalgamated with other protected areas. Approved protected area management plans in place as at 30 June 2014 are listed in Table Q. Compared with management plans, management statements are a simpler expression of management intent for protected areas. They do not require public consultation and are considered a satisfactory planning instrument for many protected areas. Approved management statements for national parks as at 30 June 2014 are listed at Table R (224 management statements), and Table S lists regional park management statements approved as at 30 June 2014 (53 management statements). As at 30 June 2014, 100 per cent of national parks (excluding joint management areas) had a management instrument (e.g. management plan or management statement) enabling improved management (e.g. ecosystem health, fire, pest and visitor management) and providing direction on emerging and contemporary matters. Management instruments for regional parks are being developed and it is anticipated that all regional parks will have either a management plan or management statement by June 2015.

Conservation plans Sections 120H–120K of the NC Act detail the process for preparing conservation plans. The status of conservation plans at 30 June 2014 is detailed in Table T.

Administration

Conservation officers The responsible Minister may appoint an employee of EHP, NPRSR or DAFF; an officer of the public service; a police officer; or another appropriately qualified person to be a conservation officer. Conservation officers possess a range of investigation, compliance and enforcement powers supporting the implementation of the objectives of the NC Act. Departmental records indicate a total of 31 officers were newly appointed under the NC Act during 2013–14.

10 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Offences and prosecutions Enforcement of the NC Act is a major activity for EHP and NPRSR. Such enforcement ensures the protection and conservation of Queensland’s natural environment. EHP’s Litigation Unit which conducts litigation on behalf of EHP and NPRSR conducted nine prosecutions in 2013–14 resulting in fines totalling $66,000 and $5,750 in damages. Additional information on enforcement activities for protected area and wildlife matters is provided in Table U and Table V respectively.

11 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

TABLES

Tables A–D Changes to protected areas during 2013–14 During 2013–14, a number of changes to the classes of protected areas in Queensland occurred. These changes are explained below and in the accompanying tables. Changes in the protected area class structure In November 2013, significant amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) were made which reduced the number of protected area classes from 14 to seven. These changes came into effect on 28 March 2014 through the commencement of the relevant sections of the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013. Under the new protected area class structure:  national park (scientific) and national park (recovery) classes were abolished and the lands dedicated as national parks (as shown in Table B)  conservation park and resources reserve classes were abolished and the lands dedicated as regional parks (as shown in Table B)  national parks, national parks (Aboriginal land), national parks (Torres Strait Islander land), national parks (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) and nature refuges remain the same  coordinated conservation areas were grandfathered; no new area dedications of this class will be made  wilderness areas, World Heritage management areas, and international agreement areas were abolished. Introduction of special management areas and resource use areas The amendments to the NC Act also introduced special management areas and resource use areas. Special management areas (SMAs) SMAs are a flexible tool that can be declared over national parks to allow special management actions to occur. There are two classes of SMA—‘controlled action’ and ‘scientific’. An SMA (controlled action) allows for the manipulation of an area’s natural or cultural resources for recovery purposes, or allows for the continuation of a lawful existing use, where the use is consistent with maintaining the area’s natural and cultural values. All national parks (recovery) have become ‘national parks’ with SMA (controlled action) declarations (Table C). An SMA (scientific) allows specific measures to take place in a national park to protect scientific values or allow for scientific study. All national parks (scientific) have become ‘national parks’ with SMA (scientific) declarations (Table C). No other SMAs were declared in 2013–14. Resource use areas (RUAs) An RUA can be declared over a regional park at the time of the park’s dedication to allow for potential resource extraction activities to occur within the RUA. All former resources reserves have now become ‘regional parks’ with an RUA declaration (refer Table D). No other RUAs were declared in 2013–14. The following tables outline the changes to protected area classes during the period 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. Table A shows the changes to protected areas, other than those arising from the legislative amendments, from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014. Table B shows changes to protected area classes as at 28 March 2014 resulting from the amendments to the NC Act. Table C lists national parks with SMAs. Table D outlines the area of regional parks (general) and regional parks (resource use area).

Table A—Details of changes to protected areas (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Affected Total area (ha) Class Date Action area (ha) (rounded) National parks 1/07/2013 - - 6,911,877 Curtis Island National Park 23/08/2013 Addition 1,912.160

Daintree National Park 23/08/2013 Addition 19.962

Family Islands National Park 23/08/2013 Addition 5.260

Main Range National Park 23/08/2013 Addition 103.701

Tewantin National Park 18/10/2013 Revocation -2.1931

Eungella National Park 22/11/2013 Revocation -4.119

Maria Creek National Park 22/11/2013 Revocation -3.027

12 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Affected Total area (ha) Class Date Action area (ha) (rounded) Tamborine National Park 22/11/2013 Revocation -0.0308

Cape Melville National Park 29/11/2013 Omission1 -171,410

Flinders Group National Park 29/11/2013 Omission2 -3,180

Howick Group National Park 29/11/2013 Omission3 -776

Jack River National Park 29/11/2013 Omission4 -166,000

Melsonby (Gaaraay) National

Park 29/11/2013 Omission5 -8,990 Mount Webb National Park 29/11/2013 Omission6 -414

Starcke National Park 29/11/2013 Omission7 -7,960

Tewantin National Park 23/05/2014 Addition 0.0685 30/06/2014 - - 6,645,5998 Conservation parks 1/07/2013 - - 69,896 Bouldercombe Gorge

Conservation Park 1 23/08/2013 New 21 Curtis Island Conservation Park 23/08/2013 Addition 1,011 - 30/06/2014 - - 70,928 Nature refuges 1/07/2013 - - 3,438,004 A&T Koala Billabong Nature

Refuge 29/11/2013 New 2 Berrinba Wetlands Nature

Refuge 29/11/2013 New 39 Braehead Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 Amendment 0.6104 Dahmongah Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 Amendment -1.185 Danroben Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 4 Dawson Road Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 4.805 Dinah Island Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 5,180 Fern Tree Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 2,557.7 Hinze Dam Numinbah Nature

Refuge 29/11/2013 New 264.0973 Koallaby Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 10 Koolena Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 5 Palm Valley Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 Amendment -204.8 Piccaninny Plains Nature

Refuge 29/11/2013 New 169,000 Rock Rose Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 5 Roxy Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 56.2 Shylo Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 206 South Endeavour Nature

Refuge 29/11/2013 Extension 2,380 South Head Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 14,554 Sticky Gully Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 131 Stoney Edge Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 10

13 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Affected Total area (ha) Class Date Action area (ha) (rounded) Stuart Springs Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 Extension 1,704.5 The 1959 Nature Refuge 29/11/2013 New 7,141 Ballara Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 174,916 Beefalo Valley Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 Revocation -68.7 Brian Burke Reserve Nature

Refuge 1/05/2014 New 268 Chidna Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 8,307 Crystalvale Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 25,972 Kemmis Creek Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 Revocation -1,471 Kurwongbah Park Nature

Refuge 1/05/2014 New 12 Pelham Springs Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 22 Reliance Creek Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 Revocation -2.65 Rivendell Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 Extension 9 Somerset-Wivenhoe Dams 1/05/2014 Extension 9 Nature Refuge Stewartdale Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 969 Strathtay Nature Refuge 1/05/2014 New 37,422 - 30/06/2014 - 3,887,416 National parks (Cape York 9 1/07/2013 - - 1,309,538 Peninsula Aboriginal land)

Cape Melville National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New1 170,000 Daarrba National Park (Cape

York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New6 415 Flinders Group National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New2 2,819 Howick Group National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New3 85 Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New7 8,039 Melsonby (Gaaraay) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New5 8,632 Muundhi (Jack River) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) 29/11/2013 New4 164,800 30/06/2014 - - 1,664,328

14 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table B—Changes to protected area classes as at 28 March 2014

Class Date Action Area (ha) Total area (ha) Changes to national parks (scientific) and national parks (recovery) All national parks (scientific) 28/03/2014 Class abolished10 53,189 0 All national parks (recovery) 28/03/2014 Class abolished11 37,231 0 All former national parks (scientific) and national parks (recovery) became national Classes parks 28/03/2014 redesignated12 90,420 90,420 Changes to conservation parks and resources reserves All conservation parks 28/03/2014 Class abolished13 70,928 0 All resources reserves 28/03/2014 Class abolished14 340,972 0 Regional parks (new designation) 28/03/2014 New class15 411,900 411,900

1. Cape Melville National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure and is reflected as an addition to this class. 2. Flinders Group National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure and is reflected as an addition to this class. 3. Howick Group National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure and is reflected as an addition to this class. 4. Jack River National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure as Muundhi (Jack River) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) and is reflected as an addition to this class. 5. Melsonby (Gaaraay) National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure and is reflected as an addition to this class. 6. Mount Webb National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure as Daarrba National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) and is reflected as an addition to this class. 7. Starcke National Park was omitted from schedule 2 of the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 in order to transfer to national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) tenure as Juunju Daarrba Nhirrpan National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) and is reflected as an addition to this class. 8.. This figure includes a further 90,420 hectares which resulted from the abolition of the national park (recovery) and national park (scientific) tenures. See Table B for these changes. 9. When the Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land national parks were gazetted, they were resurveyed. Due to tidal variation or more accurate surveying techniques, the areas surveyed were different to what the lands were when they were originally gazetted as national park. 10.. The national park (scientific) class was abolished by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 and the former national park (scientific) areas have now been merged with the national park estate and are reflected in the total area for this class. 11. The national park (recovery) class was abolished by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 and the former national park (recovery) areas have now been merged with the national park estate and are reflected in the total area for this class. 12. This figure consists of 53,189 hectares of former national park (scientific) areas and 37,231 hectares of former national park (recovery) areas that were amalgamated with the national park estate when the national park (scientific) and national park (recovery) classes were abolished by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013. 13. The conservation park class was abolished by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 and the former conservation park areas have now been transferred to the regional park class and are reflected in the total area for this class. 14. The resources reserve class was abolished by the Nature Conservation and Other Legislation Amendment Act (No. 2) 2013 and the former resources reserve areas have now been transferred to the regional park class (with a resource use area) and are reflected in the total area for this class. 15. Regional park is a new class of protected area that amalgamates the former conservation park and resources reserve classes. All or part of a regional park may be designated as a ‘resource use area’ at the time of its creation, and (like the former resources reserves), a resource use area may allow for potential quarrying, mining or petroleum and gas extraction. Table D indicates the number and area of each of these regional park types. A full list of these areas as at 30 June 2014 can be found in the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 (2014 SL No. 70).

15 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table C—National parks with special management areas (scientific) and (controlled action) from 28 March 20141

SMA area Total area (ha) Type of SMA Date Action (ha) (rounded) Special management areas

(scientific) Capricornia Cays National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 43.7 Dipperu National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 11,100 Epping Forest National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 2,750 Keppel Bay Islands National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 104 Mount Abbot National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 1,378 Mount Bauple National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 547 Palmgrove National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 25,600 Raine Island National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 40 Taunton National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 11,626 - 30/06/2014 - - 53,189 Special management areas (controlled action) Bania National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 11

Bunya Mountains National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 263.2 Conway National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 433 D’Aguilar National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 1,981 Dawes National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 1,267 Dinden National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 950

Goomboorian National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 5 Herberton Range National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 197 Lockyer National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 7,790 Mapleton National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 3,609 Mount Windsor National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 480 Mowbray National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 235 Nairana National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 9,880 Naree Budjong Djara National

Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 4,575.66 Narkoola National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 2,249 Springbrook National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 175.743 Tewantin National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 672 Tully Falls National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 254 Tully Gorge National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 374 Wietalaba National Park 28/03/2014 New SMA 1,829 - 30/06/2014 - - 37,231 1. All new SMAs included in Table C for 2013–14 were automatically taken to be declared under sections 196 and 197 of the NC Act.

16 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table D—Regional parks designated as regional park (general) and regional park (resource use area), as at 30 June 20141

Designation Date No. designated Total area (ha)

Regional park (general) 30/06/2014 226 70,928

Regional park (resource use area) 30/06/2014 44 340,972

1. Regional park is a new class of protected area that amalgamates the former conservation park and resources reserve classes. All or part of a regional park may be designated as a ‘resource use area’ at the time of its creation, and (like the former resources reserves), a resource use area may allow for potential quarrying, mining or petroleum and gas extraction. Table D indicates the number and area of each of these regional park types. A full list of these areas as at 30 June 2014 can be found in the Nature Conservation (Protected Areas) Regulation 1994 (2014 SL No. 70).

Table E—Summary of information regarding protected area authorities during 2013–14

Category Number Number granted Number Number current 2013–14 refused withdrawn, at 30 June suspended or 2014 cancelled

Authorities under the Nature Conservation Act 1992

Section 34 Authorities over protected areas 57 23 0 0

Section 35 Authorities

Service facility1 121 32 0 2

Ecotourism facility2 1 1 0 0

Section 35A Authorities (pre-existing 5 5 0 0 service facilities on new national parks or national parks (recovery)

Section 36 Previous use authority3 2 0 0 0

Section 38 Lease under the Land Act 1994 0 0 0 0 on land reserved for public purposes Section 173S(1) Stock grazing on protected 0 13 0 0 areas for drought relief4 Section 184 Beekeeping in particular former 3 0 0 0 forest reserves Authorities under the Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006

Section 9(1)(a) Permit to take, use, keep or interfere with cultural or natural resources

Scientific purposes 227 14 0 0

Educational purposes 8 2 0 0

Other purposes5 0 0 0 0

Section 9(1)(b) Apiary permit 149 179 0 9

Section 9(2)(a) Aboriginal tradition authority 0 0 0 0

Section 9(2)(b) Island custom authority 0 0 0 0

Section 10 Permit for conducting other activities in a protected area

Camping permit6 N/A 141,892 N/A N/A

Restricted access area permit 1 1 0 0

Stock grazing permit (other than 10 2 0 0 permits granted for the purposes of section 173S of the Act)

17 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Category Number Number granted Number Number current 2013–14 refused withdrawn, at 30 June suspended or 2014 cancelled

Stock mustering permit 10 74 2 7

Travelling stock permit 0 0 0 0

Permit to enter national park 7 20 21 17 0 (scientific) Commercial activity permit6 190 254 4 1

Permit to solicit donations or 1 1 0 0 information

6,8 Group activity permit 17 60 0 1

Permit to use recreational craft 1 5 0 0

Special activity permit 1 2 0 0

Section 67 Commercial activity agreement 84 57 0 0

1. Service facilities include communications towers or cables, aircraft or vessel navigation devices, transmission grids or electricity supply networks, pipelines for oil or gas, and pipelines and facilities for water supply or sewerage treatment. 2. This is a new category in the NC Act which was given effect by amendments passed on 18 April 2013. Ecotourism facilities include facilities designed and managed to facilitate the presentation, appreciation and conservation of the land’s natural condition and cultural resources and values. An ecotourism lease was granted to Tropical Canopy Pty Ltd to lease the Mamu Tropical Skywalk. 3. Previous use authorities within section 36 of the NC Act include permits for occupation, stock grazing, apiary, and sales issued under the Forestry Act 1959 and leases under the Land Act 1994, for approved uses occurring on the land immediately prior to its dedication as national park. 4. This is a new, temporary category in the NC Act, given effect by amendments passed on 21 May 2013. The provision limited granting permits for temporary drought relief on prescribed national parks until 31 December 2013. 5. Other purposes include resources permits associated with the take of quarry material or foliage harvesting from a regional park. 6. These figures include permits issued under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 for activities in Green Island National Park, Great Sandy National Park in the Fraser Island and Cooloola Recreation Areas, Moreton Island National Park in the Moreton Island Recreation Area and Bribie Island National Park in the Bribie Island Recreation Area. They do not include permits and agreements solely under the Forestry Act 1959 or recreation areas that do not include protected area (e.g. Inskip Peninsula). 7. National park (scientific) class, effective 28 March 2014, became ‘national parks’. 8. Group activity permits (GAPs) are being phased out in favour of more streamlined permitting options and in 2013–14 a total number of 60 GAPs were issued, a 40% reduction in GAPs issued compared with 2012–13. These reductions have been achieved by replacing GAPs with a simple online notification form. These figures include permits issued under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 for activities in Green Island National Park, Great Sandy National Park in the Fraser Island Recreation Area, Moreton Island National Park in the Moreton Island Recreation Area and Bribie Island National Park in the Bribie Island Recreation Area.

Table F—Summary of appeals related to protected area authority decisions during 2013–14

Category Number of Number of decisions Number of Number of appeals confirmed 2013–14 decisions decisions 2013–14 amended pending at 2013–14 30 June 2014

Internal appeals 0 0 0 0

Queensland Civil and Administrative 0 0 0 0 Tribunal appeals

18 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table G—Details of selected protected area authorities (permits and agreements) granted during 2013–141

Camping information Number granted 2013–14

Camping permits 141,892

Average group size2 3

Number of people camping 421,379

Average stay (nights) 2.65

Camper nights 1,117,036

Activities supported through commercial activity agreements during Number granted 2013–144 2013–143 Filming 8

Competitive sporting and community events 8

Tourism and recreation (e.g. guided tours, tag-a-long, scenic flight) 75

Commercial rubbish collection 1

Transport (e.g. barge operations) 5

Vending (e.g. food, recreation equipment) 9

Other 6

Commercial activity permits3,5 Number current Number granted at 30 June 2014 2013–14

Commercial tourism 186 214

Commercial film/photography 2 38

Commercial (other) 2 2

Total commercial activity permits 190 254

1. These figures are estimates. They include permits and authorities issued under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 for activities in national parks in the Great Sandy, Moreton Island and Bribie Island Recreation Areas. 2. Camping estimates exclude children aged less than five years. 3. These figures do not include permits and agreements solely under the Forestry Act 1959. 4. The selected figures do not add up to the total number of agreements (84 at 30 June 2014), as some agreements cover multiple activities.

5. The reduction in total number of permits in 2013–14 from that of previous years, reflects NPRSR’s current direction of providing clients with better opportunities and access to parks through commercial activity agreements which grant increased term of authority; quarterly return cycles (as opposed to monthly cycles); and flexibility for the agreement, in part or whole, to be transferred if a business is sold. In some cases the reduction in permit numbers is due to clients being provided an agreement which captures separate authorities formerly held by the client e.g. permit plus agreement, granting a single authority (commercial activity agreement) encompassing both. Further legislative amendments have commenced (28 March 2014) to remove the permit requirement for commercial filming or photography involving up to 10 people without structures.

19 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table H—Summary information for protected area environmental impact statements (EIS) submitted to the chief executive during 2013–141

Category Number required under section Number considered under section 38B 2013–14 39C 2013–14

EIS for section 34 0 0

EIS for section 35 0 0

EIS for section 36 0 0

1. The chief executive may require an EIS if a proposed activity is expected to occur on or near a protected area under the NC Act and it is not subject to an EIS under another Act.

Table I1—List of protected area codes of practice2 and memorandums of understanding3 2013–14

Title Date endorsed Expiry date

Code of Practice for Maintenance of Electricity Corridors in 12/03/2010 No expiry date, but Queensland’s Parks and Forests (Chief executive) three-yearly review of code

Memorandum of Understanding between Four Wheel Drive 4/04/2011 4/04/2016 Queensland (Inc.) and QPWS (Deputy Director-General, QPWS)

Memorandum of Understanding between Bushwalking 26/08/2011 26/08/2016 Queensland (Inc.) and QPWS (Deputy Director-General, QPWS)

Volunteer Deed between NPRSR and Sporting Shooters 1/11/2013 12 months from Association of Australia (Queensland) Inc. (Deputy Director-General, commencement date QPWS)

Memorandum of Understanding between Department of 2/05/2014 No expiry date, but Transport and Main Roads and Department of National Parks, (Chief executive) remains in effect until Recreation, Sport and Racing regarding work in Hays Inlet specified processes are Conservation Park to Facilitate the Moreton Bay Rail Project complete

1. This table does not include formal joint management arrangements such as intergovernmental agreements or Indigenous joint management memorandums of understanding, Indigenous land use agreements or Indigenous management agreements, or service contracts. 2. Under section 174A of the NC Act, the chief executive may, by gazette notice, approve or make codes of practice for protected areas or forest reserves. 3. A memorandum of understanding is not legally binding but supports management in partnership or red tape reduction and improved access by allowing the parties to the agreement to undertake certain activities without requiring an individual permit for each activity or occasion.

Table J—Commercial activity agreements in force during 2013–141

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

AAT Kings Pty Ltd NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Walkway Ahead In Glass & Aluminium RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Camp equipment 26 July 2015 Pty Ltd trading as Rainbow Inskip Peninsula hire Beach Hire-A-Camp Recreation Area Amity Trader Pty Ltd RAM Moreton Island Recreation Barge landing 23 January 2015 Area AP Vessel Management Pty Ltd NCA Whitsunday Islands Commercial 31 May 2020 National Park camping Molle Islands National Guided tour Park Gloucester Islands National Park

20 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Dryander National Park

Australian Tallship Cruises Pty NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 8 March 2020 Ltd Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Auswalk Pty Ltd NCA Lamington National Park Guided tour 28 February 2020 Springbrook National Park Becker Helicopter Services Pty NCA Wrattens National Park Training 30 September Ltd and Forest Areas in 2016 Southern Queensland regions Binna Burra Lodge Ltd NCA Gold Coast Hinterland Guided tour 28 February 2020 Great Walk, Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park Lamington National Park Guided tour and 27 August 2016 park management activities Burns, Malcolm John Frederick NCA Fraser Island Recreation Guided tour 31 May 2029 Area Cairns Mountain Bike Club NCA Smithfield Conservation Competitive 25 March 2029 Park events Castle Meadow Pty Ltd trading RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 as Palace Adventures Area Central Queensland Blokart NCA Cape Hillsborough Events festival 9 October 2021 Club National Park Chanison Pty Ltd trading as RAM Moreton Island Recreation Barge landing 16 September Reality Cruises Area 2015 Chews Place Consulting Pty Ltd RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Vending 13 March 2014

Christopher Burns NCA Main Range National Park Vending 30 November 2013

Codford Pty Ltd RAM Fraser Island Recreation Guided tour 30 June 2029 Area Coral Sea Sailing Pty Ltd NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 9 March 2020 Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Delaware North Australia Parks NCA Capricornia Cays National Resort lease 30 December 2011 and Resorts Pty Ltd Park Refer footnote 3 Down Under Tours (Australia) NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Pty Ltd Walkway Dutana Pty Ltd NCA Undara Volcanic National Guided tour 11 March 2019 Park DWR Holdings Pty Ltd trading RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 as Safari 4WD Hire Area EA & SLE Pty Ltd RAM North Stradbroke Island Vending 4 December 2018

Eastcom Pty Ltd NCA Hinchinbrook Island Passenger 19 January 2016 National Park transport service

21 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Ecobarge Clean Seas Inc. NCA Cairns/Cooktown Commercial 1 September 2021 Management Area collection and Gloucester Island National removal of Park rubbish Lindeman Island National Educational tours Park Molle Islands National Park Whitsunday Island National Park

Eco Concept Development Pty NCA Eungella National Park Business of a 28 January 2017 Ltd kiosk Elanda Point Pty Ltd trading as RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Canoe tours 30 November 2015 Elanda Point Canoe Company - Boats Tours and Camping (Mays Brian Thomas) FNQ Promotion Bureau T/A RAM Cairns/Cooktown Commercial 4 December 2014 Tourism Tropical North Management Area Barron filming Queensland Gorge Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Crater Lakes National Park Curtain Fig National Park Daintree National Park Tully Gorge National Park Undara Volcanic National Park FNQ Promotion Bureau T/A RAM Green Island Recreation Commercial 4 December 2014 Tourism Tropical North Area filming Queensland Competitive events Fraser Island Barge Transport RAM Fraser Island Recreation Barge landing 29 June 2021 Pty Ltd Area Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area Geltch Enterprises Pty Ltd RAM Fraser Island Recreation Scenic flights 23 April 2018 trading as Air Fraser Island Area Great Sandy National Park Go Tours Holiday Shop Pty Ltd RAM Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026 trading as Go Tours Travel Graham Maifredi NCA Tully Falls National Park Guided tour 31 January 2018 Tully Gorge National Park Wooroonooran National Park Graham Maifredi (T/A EcoH20) NCA Refer footnote 4 Guided tour 31 January 2018

Gregory Whiteman RAM Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026

Gurree Pty Ltd NCA/RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 October 2014 Area Hamilton Island Enterprises Ltd NCA Molle Islands National Commercial 1 July 2017 t/a Whitsunday Sea Kayaking Park camping Gloster Islands National

22 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Hamilton Island Enterprises Pty NCA Whitsunday Island Events festival 25 November 2023 Ltd National Park Hart Corporation Pty Ltd trading NCA Ex-HMAS Brisbane Scuba diving 31 July 2015 as Sunreef Scuba Diving Regional Park Services Hattersea trading as Hamilton NCA Whitehaven Beach Conduct 21 April 2021 Island Weddings Henning Island Northern weddings Spit Ice Worx Pty Ltd RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Mobile food 30 June 2014 trading as Rainbow Beach Ice Inskip Peninsula vending and Bait Recreation Area trading as Deans Ice Worx Ingan Pty Ltd NCA Tully Gorge National Park Guided tour 31 December 2016

International Park Tours Pty Ltd NCA Gold Coast Hinterland Guided tour 28 February 2020 Great Walk, Lamington National Park and Springbrook National Park J.W. Hayes and B.J Needs RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 trading as A1 Fraser Roving Area Backpackers K'Gari Educational and Culture RAM Fraser Island Recreation Guided tour 30 November 2014 Centre Inc. Area Kokoda Challenge Association NCA D'Aguilar National Park Trail running and 4 April 2015 Pty Ltd Nerang Regional Park walking events Nerang National Park Springbrook Regional Park Springbrook National Park Jean-Luc Lejaille trading as RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Paragliding 31 December 2013 Rainbow Paragliding Jonathan Allen trading as RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Paragliding 31 December 2013 Sunshine State Paragliding Centre Life on the Reef Pty Ltd NCA Refer footnote 4 Filming / 10 April 2014 Photography Low Flyer Investments Pty Ltd NCA Eurimbula National Park Scenic flights 31 March 2017 Camping L Trevanion & M.A Trevanion & RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Mobile food 20 February 2019 M.W Trevanion & P.A Trevanion vending trading as Yum Yum's Food Service Luxury Yacht Charters Pty Ltd NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 8 July 2020 Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Malcolm John Frederick Burns RAM Fraser Island Recreation Guided tour 31 May 2029 Area Maxim Plumbing Pty Ltd NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 11 March 2020 Park Whitsunday Islands National Park

23 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Middledank Pty Ltd NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Walkway Moreton Island Ferries Pty Ltd RAM Moreton Island Recreation Barge landing 30 June 2016 Area Mungalli Pty Ltd NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Walkway National Park Pty Limited NCA Lamington National Park Guided tour 28 February 2020

National Tour Company Pty NCA Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026 Limited National Trust of Queensland NCA Gold Coast Hinterland Guided tour 28 February 2020 trading as Currumbin Wildlife Great Walk, Lamington Sanctuary National Park and Springbrook National Park Neill and Hayley Kennedy NCA Whitsunday Islands Commercial 7 March 2020 National Park camping Molle Islands National Guided tour Park Network Ten Pty Limited NCA/RAM All Protected Areas Filming / 30 June 2015 All Recreation Areas Photography All Forest Areas NHK (Japan Broadcasting NCA Raine Island National Park Filming / 31 December 2013 Corporation)/NEP (NKK Photography Enterprises, INC NHMS Pty Ltd trading as Fraser RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2013 Magic 4WD Hire Area NKM Holdings Pty Ltd trading NCA Eurimbula National Park Guided tour 13 November 2015 as 1770 Environmental Tours Eurimbula Resources Reserve Nomads Noosa RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 June 2016 Area North Queensland Wildscapes NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Walkway Ocean Safaris Australia Pty Ltd NCA Daintree National Park Guided tour 9 March 2020 Whitsunday Island National Park Outdoor Pursuits Australia Pty NCA Cooloola Recreation Area Commercial 30 March 2020 Ltd Whitsunday Island camping National Park Guided tour Repulse Island National Park Oxfam Australia NCA D'Aguilar National Park Trail running and 31 December 2014 walking events Pippies Beachhouse Pty Ltd RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 Area Plan B Fitness Pty Ltd NCA Whitsunday Islands Commercial 17 May 2020 National Park camping Lindeman Islands National Guided tour Park Molle Islands National Park Gloucester Islands National Park

24 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Repulse Islands National Park

Queensland Japanese Services NCA Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026 Pty Ltd Queensland Living History NCA Fort Lytton National Park Events festival 1 June 2018 Federation Inc. Raging Thunder Pty Ltd NCA Barron Gorge National Watercraft (Non- 16 February 2029 Park motorised) - Danbulla National Park Rafting Girringun National Park Tully Gorge National Park Wooroonooran National Park Rainbow Beach Adventure Co. RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 Pty Ltd Area RNR Adventures Pty Ltd NCA Barnard Island Group Guided tour 26 February 2029 National Park Barron Gorge National Park Danbulla National Park Dinden National Park Girringun National Park Tully Gorge National Park Wooroonooran National Park Robert Tasman Pitman trading NCA Mon Repos Regional Park Food vending 31 October 2014 as Rob's Vantastic Food Run Queensland Pty Ltd NCA Kondalilla National Park Events festivals 9 November 2014 Mapleton Falls National Sports Park Mapleton National Park Savage: Joel NCA Magnetic Island National Guided tours 8 April 2020 Park Townsville Town Common Regional Park Seven Network (Operations) NCA/RAM All Protected Areas Filming / 4 November 2013 Limited All Forest Areas Photography Slater Enterprises NCA Whitsunday Islands Conduct 17 May 2020 National Park weddings Southern Cross Sailing NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 9 March 2020 Adventures Pty Ltd Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Sunline Coaches Pty Ltd NCA Smithfield Conservation Guided tour 12 June 2029 Park Sunshine Coast Diving Centre NCA Ex-HMAS Brisbane Scuba diving 30 July 2017 Pty Ltd trading as Scuba World Regional Park Sunshine Coast Hang Gliding RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Hang-gliding 31 December 2013 Pty Ltd Tablelands Regional Council NCA Malanda Falls Guided tour 12 December 2015 (Ex Eacham Shire Council) Conservation Park

25 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Legal entity Legislation Section(s)/Location(s) Activity Expiry date

Tallship Adventures Pty Ltd NCA Refer footnote 4 Commercial 11 April 2020 camping Guided tour Telfox Pty Ltd NCA Tully Falls National Park Guided tour 14 August 2017

Temperley Family Trust NCA Mount Peter Conservation Guided tour 26 July 2017 Park The Caves Pastoral Company NCA Whitsunday Island Guided tours 11 April 2020 Pty Ltd National Park Camping Repulse Islands National Park Molle Island National Park Gloucester Islands National Park The Production Department NCA/RAM All Protected Areas Filming / 20 February 2019 All Forest Areas Photography The Sun Stand Pty Ltd trading NCA Gold Coast Hinterland Guided tour 28 February 2020 as Adventure Seekers Great Walk, Lamington Vending National Park and Springbrook National Park Tour Gold Coast Pty Ltd NCA Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026

Tourism Queensland NCA/RAM All Protected Areas Filming / 31 October 2016 All Recreation Areas Photography All Forest Areas Tuff Trax Pty Ltd NCA Various National Parks Guided tour 26 July 2017 and State Forest located in Northern and Central Queensland Region(s) Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Walkway Two Jayze Pty Ltd NCA Undara Volcanic National Guided tour 11 March 2019 Park Unique Fraser Pty Ltd RAM Fraser Island Recreation Tag-A-Long 30 November 2014 Area Voetstoets Pty Ltd NCA Refer footnote 4 Guided tour 14 March 2020

Whiteman, Gregory NCA Springbrook National Park Guided tour 31 December 2026

Whitsunday Island Camping NCA Molle Islands National Guided tour 17 May 2020 Connections Pty Ltd Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Whitsunday Mountain Bike Club NCA Conway National Park Mountain bike 20 May 2019 Inc. Molle Islands National events Park Wooroonooran Safari Tours Pty NCA Mamu Rainforest Canopy Guided tour Refer footnote 2 Ltd Walkway Yum Yum's Food Service RAM Cooloola Recreation Area Vending 20 February 2019 (L Trevanion & M.A Trevanion & M.W Trevanion & P.A Trevanion trading as Yum Yum's Food Service)

26 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

1. Details include commercial activity agreements entered into under the NC Act, and commercial activity agreements entered into under the Recreation Areas Management Act 2006 (which cover activities in protected areas). The table does not include commercial activity agreements entered into under the Forestry Act 1959 or the Marine Parks Act 2004. 2. The Queensland Government has signed a lease with tourism operators Tropical Canopy Pty Ltd to operate the Mamu Tropical Skywalk, with the new arrangements commencing in April 2014; and as such agreements listed above for this area, between operators and NPRSR, were withdrawn. 3. Authority in ‘continuation’ of existing permit, prior to expiry, while under assessment. 4. Information not available at the time of reporting.

Table K—Conservation agreements entered into under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 during 2013–14

Nature refuge name Execution Total area under Local government date agreement (ha)

Hinze Dam Numinbah Nature Refuge 15/07/2013 264.0973 Gold Coast City Stuart Springs Nature Refuge1 15/07/2013 3,420 Etheridge Shire Braehead Nature Refuge1 22/07/2013 100.6104 Sunshine Coast Regional Roxy Nature Refuge 8/08/2013 56.2 Mackay Regional Shylo Nature Refuge 8/08/2013 206 Mackay Regional Palm Valley Nature Refuge1 9/08/2013 27 Mackay Regional Dawson Road Nature Refuge 13/08/2013 4.805 Redland City Berrinba Wetlands Nature Refuge 20/08/2013 39 Logan City South Endeavour Nature Refuge1 20/08/2013 6,528 Cook Shire Dahmongah Nature Refuge1 10/09/2013 15 Moreton Bay Regional Rock Rose Nature Refuge 11/09/2013 5 Southern Downs Regional Dinah Island Nature Refuge 26/09/2013 5,180 Carpentaria Shire The 1959 Nature Refuge 11/10/2013 7,141 Longreach Regional Fern Tree Nature Refuge 14/10/2013 2,557.7 North Burnett Regional Sticky Gully Nature Refuge 14/10/2013 131 Scenic Rim Regional Stoney Edge Nature Refuge 14/10/2013 10 Sunshine Coast Regional South Head Nature Refuge 15/10/2013 14,554 Etheridge Shire Piccaninny Plains Nature Refuge 24/10/2013 169,000 Cook Shire Pelham Springs Nature Refuge 13/11/2013 22 McKinlay Shire NOF-DANGERBRIDGE Nature Refuge2 18/11/2013 76.02 Noosa Shire Crystalvale Nature Refuge 17/12/2013 25,972 Cook Shire Brian Burke Reserve Nature Refuge 23/12/2013 268 Moreton Bay Regional Kurwongbah Park Nature Refuge 23/12/2013 12 Moreton Bay Regional Strathtay Nature Refuge 23/12/2013 37,422 Flinders Shire Chidna Nature Refuge 16/01/2014 8,307 Mount Isa Shire Koolena Nature Refuge 17/01/2014 5 Logan City Somerset-Wivenhoe Dams Nature Refuge1 24/01/2014 5,260 Somerset Regional A&T Koala Billabong Nature Refuge 18/02/2014 2 Logan City Rivendell Nature Refuge1 18/02/2014 24 Sunshine Coast Regional Stewartdale Nature Refuge1 21/02/2014 969 Ipswich City Ballara Nature Refuge 10/03/2014 174,916 Cloncurry Shire Wilga Park Nature Refuge 26/03/2014 3,120 Goondiwindi Regional Woolshed Nature Refuge 2/04/2014 27 Ipswich City

27 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature refuge name Execution Total area under Local government date agreement (ha)

Belgamba Nature Refuge 15/04/2014 90 Rockhampton Regional Willawa Nature Refuge 6/05/2014 405 Banana Shire Alice Creek Nature Refuge 29/05/2014 309.949 Lockyer Valley Regional Blunder Creek Reserve Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 20.8 Brisbane City Hawkesbury Road Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 39.457 Brisbane City Kuraby Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 24.77 Brisbane City Mount Petrie Road Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 36 Brisbane City Pooh Corner Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 104 Brisbane City Wacol Bushlands Nature Refuge 13/06/2014 40 Brisbane City 1. These existing nature refuges were amended through a Deed of Variation in 2013–14, resulting in a net increase or decrease in area of the nature refuge. Areas provided in Table K reflect the total area under the conservation agreement following the amendment. 2. NOF-DANGERBRIDGE Nature Refuge is a new nature refuge that replaces part of an existing nature refuge.

Table L—Changes to the status of forest reserves during 2013–14

Total area Affected Total Type Date Action (ha) area (ha) number (rounded)

Forest reserve 1/07/2013 - - - 192,698 Beerwah Forest Reserve 23/08/2013 Revocation -0.0346 99 Yurol Forest Reserve 18/10/2013 Revocation -0.4831 99 Glastonbury Forest Reserve 22/11/2013 Revocation -55.91 98 Kelvin Forest Reserve 22/11/2013 Revocation -3.9310 99 Monkhouse Forest Reserve 22/11/2013 Revocation -0.092 97 Yurol Forest Reserve 23/5/2014 Revocation -0.0584 97 - 30/06/2014 - - - 192,638

1. Glastonbury Forest Reserve was revoked in whole to resolve a long standing Indigenous land use agreement. 2. Monkhouse Forest Reserve was revoked in whole for Aboriginal Land Act 1991 freehold purposes.

Table M—Summary of information relating to wildlife licences 2013–14

Category Current at 30 Issued Suspended Cancelled Refused Withdrawn Surrendered Invalid June 2014

Commercial 114 121 ------wildlife

Commercial wildlife 91 97 ------(macropods)

Recreational 37,470 7,780 - - - 16 12 52 wildlife Commercial wildlife 12 36 - - - 1 - 1 harvesting

28 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Category Current at 30 Issued Suspended Cancelled Refused Withdrawn Surrendered Invalid June 2014

Commercial wildlife 1,003 1,061 - 3 - 5 8 - harvesting (macropods)

Recreational wildlife 36 44 ------harvesting

Wildlife 49 10 - - - - -5 - demonstrator

Wildlife 46 1 - - - - -1 - exhibitor

Wildlife 25 17 ------farming Museum 2 0 ------

Herbarium 0 0 ------

Protected plant 27 27 ------authority

Table N—Summary of information relating to wildlife permits 2013–14

Category Current at 30 Issued Suspended Cancelled Refused Withdrawn Surrendered Invalid June 2014

Educational 124 43 - - - 3 - - purposes

Keep protected 11 3 - - - 1 - 1 wildlife

Scientific 325 147 - - - 1 - - purposes

Wildlife 10 180 ------movement

Clearing 27 86 - - - 2 - 1

Take, use, keep or interfere 263 155 - - - 1 - - (scientific purpose)

Take, use, keep or interfere 10 16 ------(educational purpose)

Authorisation 20 5 - - - - - 1 to cultivate

29 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Category Current at 30 Issued Suspended Cancelled Refused Withdrawn Surrendered Invalid June 2014

Authorisation 451 64 - - - 1 - - to propagate

Collection authority (dead 1 ------protected wildlife)

Damage 669 970 - 1 3 10 11 15 mitigation

Rehabilitation 560 223 1 - - 5 - 15

Flying-fox roost 8 10 ------management

Table O—List of wildlife codes of practice under the NC Act 2013–14

Title Date endorsed Expiry date

Code of Practice – Aviculture 20/12/2012 5 years

Code of Practice – Captive reptile and amphibian husbandry 20/12/2012 5 years

Code of Practice – Crocodile farming 20/12/2012 5 years

Code of Practice – Taking, handling and transportation of 20/12/2012 5 years crocodiles Code of Practice – Care of Sick, Injured or Orphaned 20/06/2013 5 years Protected Animals in Queensland Code of Practice – Low impact activities affecting flying-fox 19/12/2013 5 years roosts Code of Practice – Ecologically sustainable lethal take of 25/03/2014 5 years flying-foxes for crop protection Code of Practice for the harvest and use of protected plants 17/04/2014 5 years

Code of Practice – Ecologically sustainable management of 8/05/2014 5 years flying-fox roosts

Table P—List of captive breeding agreements1 under the NC Act 2013–14

Title Date endorsed Expiry date

Captive Breeding Agreements with Bush Heritage Australia for 3/11/2013 5 years Red-finned blue-eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinni)

1. Under section 100A of the NC Act, the Minister may enter into a captive breeding agreement for protected wildlife and authorise the required take of protected wildlife from the wild.

30 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table Q—Approved protected area management plans as at 30 June 20141 Auburn River National Park Management Plan Bakers Creek Conservation Park Management Plan Barnard Island Group National Park Management Plan Blackwood National Park Management Plan Bowling Green Bay National Park Management Plan Brook Islands National Park and Goold Island National Park Management Plan Buckleys Hole Conservation Park Management Plan Bullock Creek Conservation Park Management Plan Burleigh Head National Park Management Plan Byfield Area Management Plan2 Cape Hillsborough, Pioneer Peaks, Mount Ossa, Mount Martin and Reliance Creek National Parks and adjoining State Waters Management Plan Capricorn Coast National Park Management Plan Capricornia Cays National Park and Capricornia Cays National Park (Scientific) Management Plan Carbrook Wetlands Conservation Park Serpentine Creek Conservation Park Management Plan Carnarvon National Park Management Plan Coalstoun Lakes National Park Management Plan Cressbrook Conservation Park Management Plan Culgoa Floodplain National Park Management Plan Currawinya National Park Management Plan Dalrymple National Park Management Plan Dipperu National Park (Scientific) Management Plan Djilgarin and Jalum Conservation Parks Management Plan Dwyers Scrub Conservation Park Management Plan Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) Management Plan Family Islands National Park Management Plan Fitzroy Island National Park and Marine Management Area Management Plan Forest Den National Park Management Plan Frankland Group National Park Management Plan Girraween National Park Management Plan Glass House Mountains National Park Management Plan Great Sandy Conservation Park Management Plan Green Island Recreation Area incorporating Green Island National Park, part of the Cairns Marine Park (State) and part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth) and Green Island National Park Management Plans Hinchinbrook Island National Park Management Plan Holbourne Island National Park and adjoining State Waters Management Plan Hope Islands National Park Management Plan Horseshoe Lagoon Conservation Park Management Plan Idalia National Park Management Plan Indooroopilly Island Conservation Park Management Plan King Island Conservation Park Management Plan Kondalilla National Park Management Plan Lamington National Park Management Plan Littabella National Park Management Plan Lochern National Park Management Plan Mariala National Park Management Plan Maroochy River Conservation Park Management Plan Mazeppa National Park Management Plan Michaelmas and Upolu Cays National Park Management Plan

31 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Minerva Hills National Park Management Plan Mooloolah River National Park Management Plan Moorrinya National Park Management Plan Moreton Island National Park, Cape Moreton Conservation Park and Moreton Island Recreation Area Management Plan Mount Aberdeen National Park Management Plan Mount Bauple National Park (Scientific) Management Plan Mount Blarney Conservation Park Management Plan Mount Coolum National Park Management Plan Mount Hector Conservation Park Management Plan Mount Scoria Conservation Park Management Plan Narrien Range National Park Management Plan Nicoll Scrub National Park Management Plan Noosa National Park Management Plan Orpheus Island National Park Management Plan Pipeclay National Park Management Plan Poona National Park Management Plan Porcupine Gorge National Park Management Plan Protected areas in the Agnes Water/1770 area Management Plan Rundle Range National Park and Rundle Range Resources Reserve Management Plan Sheep Station Creek Conservation Park Management Plan Southwood National Park Management Plan Tarong National Park Management Plan Taunton National Park (Scientific) Management Plan Three Islands Group National Park Management Plan Tregole National Park Management Plan Triunia National Park Management Plan Turtle Group National Park Management Plan Undara Volcanic and Forty Mile Scrub National Parks Management Plan Venman Bushland National Park Management Plan Welford National Park Management Plan White Blow Conservation Park Management Plan Wondul Range National Park Management Plan

1. While changes to protected area classes commenced on 28 March 2014, management plans that were in place prior to this date continue unaffected until they expire or are replaced by a new management instrument. 2. The Byfield Area Management Plan includes Byfield National Park, Byfield Conservation Park, Byfield State Forest managed by QPWS, the Departmental and Official Purposes Reserve at Stockyard Point, Corio Bay and beaches of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State), adjacent to these areas.

Table R—Approved national park management statements as at June 2014

Estate name

Albinia National Park Alton National Park Amamoor National Park Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) National Park Astrebla Downs National Park Ban Ban National Park Bania National Park Barron Gorge National Park Basilisk Range National Park

32 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Beeron National Park Bellthorpe National Park Benarkin National Park Bendidee National Park Beninbi National Park Bingera National Park Binya National Park Blackbraes National Park Blackdown Tableland National Park Black Mountain National Park Bladensburg National Park Bluff Hill National Park Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park Brampton Islands National Park Bribie Island National Park Broad Sound Islands National Park Bulburin National Park Bulleringa National Park Bunya Mountains National Park Burrum Coast National Park Camooweal Caves National Park Cania Gorge National Park Cape Palmerston National Park Cape Upstart National Park Castle Tower National Park Cherbourg National Park Chesterton Range National Park Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Claremont Isles National Park Clump Mountain National Park Conondale National Park Conway National Park Cordalba National Park Crater Lakes National Park Crows Nest National Park Cudmore (Limited Depth) National Park Curtain Fig National Park Curtis Island National Park D'Aguilar National Park Daintree National Park Danbulla National Park Dan Dan National Park Davies Creek National Park Dawes National Park Deer Reserve National Park Denham Group National Park Diamantina National Park Dinden National Park Djiru National Park

33 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Dryander National Park Dularcha National Park Ella Bay National Park Endeavour River National Park Erringibba National Park Esk National Park Eubenangee Swamp National Park Eudlo Creek National Park Expedition (Limited Depth) National Park Fairlies Knob National Park Ferntree Creek National Park Finucane Island National Park Fort Lytton National Park Freshwater National Park Gadgarra National Park Gatton National Park Geham National Park Girramay National Park Girringun National Park Glastonbury National Park Glenbar National Park Gloucester Island National Park Goneaway National Park Goodedulla National Park Good Night Scrub National Park Goomboorian National Park Great Basalt Wall National Park Grey Peaks National Park Grongah National Park Gympie National Park Halifax Bay Wetlands National Park Hampton National Park Hann Tableland National Park Hasties Swamp National Park Hell Hole Gorge National Park Herberton Range National Park Hull River National Park Humboldt National Park Isla Gorge National Park Japoon National Park Jardine River National Park Junee National Park Kelvin National Park Keppel Bay Islands National Park Kinrara National Park Kirrama National Park Koombooloomba National Park Kroombit Tops National Park Kuranda National Park

34 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Kurrimine Beach National Park Lake Bindegolly National Park Lindeman Islands National Park Little Mulgrave National Park Lizard Island National Park Lockyer National Park Macalister Range National Park Magnetic Island National Park Main Range National Park Malaan National Park Maleny National Park Mapleton Falls National Park Mapleton National Park Maria Creek National Park Millstream Falls National Park Molle Islands National Park Moogerah Peaks National Park Moresby Range National Park Mount Abbot National Park Mount Archer National Park Mount Barney National Park Mount Binga National Park Mount Chinghee National Park Mount Colosseum National Park Mount Cook National Park Mount Etna Caves National Park Mount Hypipamee National Park Mount Jim Crow National Park Mount Lewis National Park Mount Mackay National Park Mount O'Connell National Park Mount Pinbarren National Park Mount Spurgeon National Park Mount Walsh National Park Mount Windsor National Park Mowbray National Park Mudlo National Park Munga-Thirri National Park Nairana National Park Nangur National Park Narkoola National Park Nerang National Park Newry Islands National Park Ngalba Bulal National Park Northumberland Islands National Park Nour Nour National Park Nuga Nuga National Park Oakview National Park Palmerston Rocks National Park

35 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Palmgrove National Park Paluma Range National Park Peak Range National Park Percy Isles National Park Pidna National Park Pinnacles National Park Possession Island National Park Precipice National Park Pumicestone National Park Raine Island National Park Ravensbourne National Park Repulse Islands National Park Russell River National Park Sandbanks National Park Sarabah National Park Saunders Islands National Park Sir Charles Hardy Group National Park Smith Islands National Park Snake Range National Park South Cumberland Islands National Park Southern Moreton Bay Islands National Park Springbrook National Park Staaten River National Park St Helena Island National Park Sundown National Park Swain Reefs National Park Tamborine National Park Tewantin National Park The Palms National Park Thrushton National Park Topaz Road National Park Tuchekoi National Park Tully Falls National Park Tully Gorge National Park Warro National Park West Hill National Park White Mountains National Park Whitsunday Islands National Park Wickham National Park Wietalaba National Park Wild Cattle Island National Park Wongi National Park Woocoo National Park Woondum National Park Wooroonooran National Park Woowoonga National Park Woroon National Park Wrattens National Park Yungaburra National Park

36 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Yuwi Paree-Toolkoon National Park Alwal National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land) (CYPAL) Cape Melville National Park (CYPAL) Daarrba National Park (CYPAL) Flinders Group National Park (CYPAL) Howick Group National Park (CYPAL) Juunju Daarrba National Park (CYPAL) KULLA (McIlwraith Range) National Park (CYPAL) Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) Lama Lama National Park (CYPAL) Ma'alpiku Island National Park (CYPAL) Marpa National Park (CYPAL) Melsonby (Gaarraay) National Park (CYPAL) Mitirinchi Island National Park (CYPAL) Muundhi (Jack River) National Park (CYPAL) Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) Piper Islands National Park (CYPAL) Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL)

Table S—Approved regional park management statements as at June 2014

Estate name

Abbott Bay Regional Park Albinia Regional Park 1 Albinia Regional Park 2 Bare Hill Regional Park Bingera Regional Park 1 Bingera Regional Park 2 Blackbraes Regional Park Bloomfield River Regional Park Bloomsbury Regional Park Bolger Bay Regional Park Bukkulla Regional Park Byron Creek Regional Park Cape Capricorn Regional Park Cherbourg Regional Park Conway Regional Park Conway West Regional Park Curtis Island Regional Park Endeavour River Regional Park Futter Creek Regional Park Garden Island Regional Park Harry Spring Regional Park Heathlands Regional Park Jardine River Regional Park

37 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Estate name

Kennedy Road Gravel Regional Park Koombooloomba Regional Park KULLA (McIlwraith Range) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Arthur Creek) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Creek) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Gorge Mouth) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Gregory) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Gregory River Base) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Lilydale) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Littles Range) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Stockyard Creek) Regional Park Lawn Hill (Widdallion) Regional Park Limestone Creek Regional Park Lockyer Regional Park Middle Percy Island Regional Park Moonstone Hill Regional Park Nerang Regional Park Newport Regional Park North Pointer Regional Park Plunkett Regional Park Princhester Regional Park Rinyirru (Lakefield) Regional Park Spicers Gap Road Regional Park Springbrook Regional Park Sundown Regional Park Tooloombah Creek Regional Park Vandyke Creek Regional Park Wilandspey Regional Park Wrattens Regional Park 1 Wrattens Regional Park 2

Table T—Status of conservation plans as at 30 June 2014

Conservation plans in force1

Nature Conservation (Estuarine Crocodile) Conservation Plan 2007

Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006

Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005

1. Conservation plans are approved by the Governor in Council under section 120J of the NC Act.

38 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Table U—Protected areas enforcement information for QPWS managed protected areas 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Category Number

Penalty infringement notices Number issued 397

Number withdrawn 17

Number of Court elects 4

Number of reviews 15

Formal investigations Number completed 11

Litigations Number progressed in 2013–14 0

Number of matters finalised in 2013–14 1

NC Act Prosecution results 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Statute Brief description Court result

Court date Penalty Costs

Nature Conservation (Protected Areas Bringing a live animal into a 7 January 2014 6 month $1,000 Management) Regulation 2006 protected area (s124(1)) good behaviour

Total $1,000

Table V—Enforcement actions taken by EHP under Nature Conservation Act 1992, Nature Conservation (Macropod) Conservation Plan 2005, Nature Conservation (Administration) Regulation 2006 and Nature Conservation (Wildlife Management) Regulation 2006 from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Category Number

Penalty infringement notices Number of warnings issued 1

Number issued 48

Number withdrawn 17

Number of Court elects 0

Number of reviews 1

Formal investigations Number completed 12

Litigation Number progressed in 2013–14 1

Number of matters finalised in 2013–14 9

NC Act Prosecution results 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014

Statute Brief description Court result

Court date Penalty Costs

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x taking protected animal 14/08/2013 $15,000 $3,250 (s88(2)) (including conservation value of $5,000)

39 Report on the administration of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014)

Nature Conservation (Wildlife 1 x failing to complete 20/08/2013 $6,500 Management) Regulation 2006 movement advice (s24(3) (NCWMR) NCWMR) 1 x failing to give movement advice (s328(3) NCWMR) 1 x release of animals into the wild (s343(1) NCWMR) Nature Conservation (Administration) 27 x recording particulars Regulation 2006 (NCAR) (s125(b)(ii) NCAR) 9 x information must be complete, accurate and legible (s127 NCAR)

1 x notice of theft, loss or destruction of, or damage to, record (s128(2) NCAR)

Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act) 1 x take protected animal 30/09/2013 $9,500 (s88(2) NC Act) 1 x keep protected animal (s88(5) NC Act)

Nature Conservation (Administration) 2 x recording particulars Regulation 2006 (NCAR) (s125(b)(ii) NCAR)

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x take protected animal 15/04/2014 $7,000 $375 (s88(2))

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x take protected animal 15/04/2014 $7,000 $375 (s88(2))

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x take protected animal 15/04/2014 $7,000 $375 (s88(2))

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x take protected 15/04/2014 $7,000 $375 animal(s88(2))

Nature Conservation Act 1992 1 x take protected animal 16/04/2014 $7,000 (s88(2)) 2 x keep protected animal (s88(5))

Total $66,000 $4,750

40