Arabic version: محطات ماشية في كوينزلاند تتجه إلى حماية المتنزهات الوطنية

According to ABC News, almost 400,000 hectares of land across Queensland’s Gulf Country and Cape York will be converted into new national parks after the purchase of three cattle stations.

Part of Westmoreland and Cliffdale stations in the Gulf Country, along with all of Cape York’s Kendall River Station, will become protected state-owned land. The acquisition involved the Queensland government, $21 million from the Nature Conservancy and $3.5 million from the federal government.

The land includes Gulf plains, spinifex, rivers and hundreds of ecologically significant wetlands. Species relying on Gulf habitat include the endangered Carpentarian grasswren, purple-crowned fairywren and grey falcon, while Cape York species include palm cockatoos and white-bellied sea eagles.

Burke Shire Mayor Ernie Camp welcomed protection of the natural asset but raised concerns about reduced ratepayer income and the cost of maintaining council-controlled roads to the declared areas. He also warned that rubber vine and prickly acacia had spread rapidly in wet Gulf conditions since 2023.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife is expected to manage most of the land, while park rangers and traditional owners will manage Kendall River Station once it is gazetted as a reserve. The state government said planning is under way for visitor access, infrastructure, land management and long-term resources, but staff numbers are not yet available.