2019 Annual Report National Parks Association of Queensland Inc
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2019 ANNUAL REPORT NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND INC. ABN 60 206 792 095 NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND 2019 ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGE FROM OUR PATRON 4 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 5 ADVOCACY 6 ACTIVITIES & EVENTS 7 ORGANISATION 8 FINANCES 10 COMMUNICATION 13 PEOPLE 14 2 3 Mareeba Rock-Wallaby - Granite Gorge Queensland Photo courtesy of NPAQ member Terence Reis of reisecology.com NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF QLD NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF QLD MESSAGE FROM MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR THE PRESIDENT OF QUEENSLAND His Excellency the Honorable Paul de Jersey AC Graeme Bartrim Dear Members I was greatly honoured in mid-2018 to accept the request to become Patron of the National Parks The year was marked by a very hot and dry summer with associated We lodged a proposal with Goverment for the Yabba link National Park. Association of Queensland, thereby rekindling the Association’s proud vice-regal connections fires. Queensland was flooded in the north and drought stricken in This was possible thanks to the support of many volunteers (and the commencing in 1930 with the appointment of our State’s 14th Governor, Sir John Goodwin, as the south. Land managers discussed a need to prepare for more provision of a grant from our Cuthbertson bequest, which was matched founding Patron. extremes, particularly with regard to fire. On the environment front, by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. ) the Government successfully stopped the use of single use plastic Since that time, the Association has admirably advanced its core mission of promoting the bags, passed legislation for Special Wildlife Reserves and commenced We developed a position statement on ecotourism. This issue remains preservation, expansion and good management of national parks and other forms of protected areas the introduction of a waste levy. However the debate regarding the contentious, and we await a more open and consultative process for in Queensland. Adani Coal Mine continued unabated, and much airtime was given such proposals. The Gainsdale proposal for Main Range National Park to climate change and the fate of the Great Barrier Reef. The state is yet to receive official approval. Anyone who has ambled through Queensland’s State-defining national parks, swum in their lakes budget (although there was much good will for a substantial increase) or marvelled at their flora and fauna, so much of it so unique to Queensland, understands the was disappointing when it came to supporting Protected Areas. We We have made many representations on behalf of the Association to importance of that mission. appreciate the importance of sound Biodiversity Conservation and politicians and bureaucrats. We thank those who have given their time Protected Area Strategies, but are very concerned about opportunities and given us a good hearing. As this report so vividly recounts, 2018-19 was another year of growth and advancement for the being lost. National Parks Association of Queensland. As always the Association has relied upon many generous hours of It continues to be a crowded market place when it comes to work given by members and supporters. It has been a pleasure to work I particularly applaud the Association’s sustained advocacy and expanded community outreach. conservation NGOs and it remains difficult to differentiate the with commited councillors and staff. For this you are all thanked. How reassuring that on the eve of its significant 90th anniversary, the Association has increased its Association and grow its support. membership and supporter base 13 per cent from last year. As for the next 12 months we have progressed: the Association's The Council and staff have been very active. Major steps were taken to strategy for 2019-2022, planning for the Association's 90th birthday, This is testament to the enduring relevance of your mission to the people of Queensland. improve the Association's financial situation. As difficult as it was, two persisting with seeking appropriate state funding to ensure our I applaud the Association’s Executive, Councillors, staff, supporters and volunteers for their efforts staff were let go and one of the units at Fortune House was sold. This Protected Area Estate is effective for the long term, and planning a over the past year, and I look forward to further updates as your proud Patron. considerably reduced costs and we now need to focus on enhancing seminar on ecotourism. income to balance our budget. It should be noted that almost all of the proceeds from the unit sale will be invested for income, however any Thank you again to all who support NPAQ – without you we could other use for the capital will need to be determined by a member vote. not continue our work to promote the preservation, expansion, good HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONORABLE PAUL DE JERSEY AC management and presentation of National Parks in Queensland. There was some turnover in the Council and Karan Pandey and Colleen Governor of Queensland Patron of National Parks Association of Queensland Thornton were welcomed. Former Councillors are thanked for the effort and time they put into the Association. GRAEME BARTRIM It was pleasing to participate in collaborative advocacy work with other President conservation groups regarding greater funding for park acquisition 4 and management. The documents produced have received positive 5 comment and are valued because of the united front being presented. ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES & EVENTS SUBMISSIONS NPAQ October 2018 QLD Government – Expression of interest for Ecotourism on NPAQ Thorsborne Trail, Cooloola Great Walk, and Whitsunday Island Trail ADVOCACY March 2019 QLD Government – Scenic Rim Trail Proposal ACTIVITIES April 2019 QLD Government - Environmental offsets framework QLD Government - Restricting Access at Cape Hillsborough Beach in Marine National Park for Wallabies at Sunrise Experience May/June 2019 QLD Government - Wangetti Trail Proposal 2019 June 2019 Wet Tropics Management Authority – Wangetti Trail Proposal 2019 During the 2018-19 financial year, 37 activities were planned. Two were cancelled because of extreme weather conditions and lack of nominations. Of the 287 attendees, 89% were members, 10% non-members and 1% children. ADVOCACY YEAR IN REVIEW NPAQ relies on the leadership of a group of experienced volunteers to conduct activities. Their ongoing efforts are highly valued and their willingness to share their knowledge is appreciated. The involvement of participants is acknowledged and appreciated by the leaders. Their cheerful and NPAQ presented a united front with numerous conservation groups/ New issues NPAQ has dealt with over the year include: positive input into the activities is also appreciated. eNGOs in a Statement to Governments calling for strategic growth • Lessee activities at Elanda Point, Great Sandy National Park of national parks and other protected areas and better funding • Proposal to restrict the public from an area at Cape Hillsborough Bird Watching for management. This unprecedented alignment was recognised Beach in the marine national park for commercial purposes that The “birders” continued to be the most active group, conducting 12 activities, including an extended outing to the throughout the Queensland government and drew considerable includes feeding wallabies Gympie Area. These activities involved 123 attendees. The details of all sightings were submitted regularly to eBird attention from Queensland Treasury Corporation, the Queensland • Interest in a mountain biking trail in Moresby Range National Park Australia in keeping with the citizens-science objectives of the group. Government’s central financing authority. • Capricornia Cay National Park campground lease renewal • Government commitment to fund construction of the Wangetti Trail Disappointingly, the last state budget did not allocate significant which includes a bicycle trail through McAllister Range National Park funding for new national parks and we still await the Queensland Protected Area Strategy. Funding and the strategy are fundamental In addition to the 6 formal submissions, NPAQ sent numerous letters to meaningfully grow the National Park Estate. NPAQ and five other and emails to the environment and tourism ministers, senior Department Easter Camp peak eNGOs responded with the Selling Nature Short Report in June of Environment and Science staff and cabinet budget decision-makers Another popular event, 27 people attended the camp on Farr’s property bordering Girraween National Park. While 2019. We now have our sights on the 2020 budget. regarding the Lindeman Resort Expansion, Spicers Retreat's (formerly many tracks in the park were closed from a bushfire earlier in the year, alternative activities were enjoyed including Gainsdale) Scenic Rim Trail proposal, and the approvals process for a day walk in the neighboring Sundown National Park. The Queensland government is actively looking to allow private development in national parks. NPAQ also prepared a draft policy development in national parks. In anticipation of a pipeline of new statement on cycling and national parks. private accommodation proposals, NPAQ prepared a paper on Ecotourism and submitted it to Queensland’s environment and On a very positive note, new Queensland legislation, supported by NPAQ tourism ministers, senior government staff and key stakeholders in submissions, was passed on 29 March 2019. This legislation allows the Social Activities the tourism industry. Laura Hahn, Conservation Principle presented establishment