Landmark conservation project on track

The Yurol-Ringtail Conservation Project is on track to become one of Noosa’s most significant environmental initiatives. 

Noosa Parks Association President Michael Gloster (right) presents Noosa Council CEO Brett de Chastel (left) with a cheque for $125,000 this week. It’s part of NPA’s $1.166M contribution to the $3.5M Yurol-Ringtail Conservation Project. Council, the State Government and Noosa Parks Association are jointly funding the investment needed to secure the land and see private harvesting licences phased out within the 2,400 hectares of forest.

A collaboration between the Queensland Government, Noosa Council and Noosa Parks Association, and supported by HQPlantations, the conservation project aims to convert 2,450ha of state forest into national park, which will create and conserve habitat for koalas and many other plants and animals.

Already 357ha of state forest has been placed into national park protection.

A major initiative, it will take a number of years for the full transition to national park to occur and in the meantime plantation timber harvesting of some of these areas will continue.

Council’s Principal Environment Officer, Peter Milne, said the existing state forest plantation timber had to be harvested in order for natural regrowth to occur.

”Some areas will need a helping hand with weed control and tree planting to bring it back to a natural condition,” he said.

”Noosa and District Landcare and Queensland Koala Crusaders, with the help of volunteers, and funding from the Body Shop and Peppers Noosa Resort and Spa, have already planted 100ha of land with 24,000 trees.

”We can expect more timber harvesting during drier weather, particularly in Yurol State Forest near Pomona.”

For safety reasons Council has closed the Noosa Trail Network where timber harvesting operations are under way.

‘‘Despite the warning signs, some visitors have ignored trail closures and entered timber harvesting areas while operations are under way,” Mr Milne said.

“This is a significant safety issue. It’s essential that visitors comply with all workplace signage and do not cross barriers, for their own safety and the safety of forest workers.”

Visitors who ignore and pass beyond workplace safety signage face significant fines or potential prosecution under workplace health and safety laws.”

More information on Noosa Trail Network closures can be found on Council’s website.

Government agencies have been preparing for the spring fire season. This includes undertaking several planned burns and expanding fire trails within the bushland reserve network.

Monitoring of the regrowth after the state forest plantations are harvested has also been occurring.

”Each area is different,” Mr Milne said.

”Some areas would benefit from fire to control weeds and stimulate natural regrowth. However, in other areas where regrowth is already established, a fire could actually destroy the smaller trees and set back the regeneration.”

For further enquiries, contact Noosa Council on (07) 5329 6500.