16 July 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
Queensland biodiversity hotspot protected for the future
The first green offset by State owned environmental offset provider, Ecofund
Queensland, has been approved by the Australian Government for one of Australia’s
largest independent coal producers, Wesfarmers Curragh.
Wesfarmers Curragh engaged Ecofund to deliver an offset site and management
plan to counterbalance the impact of the Blackwater Creek Diversion and Coal Mine
Project.
Ecofund’s Group
Manager of Land Based Offsets, Darren Grover said, “The
approved green offset will protect an endangered ecosystem and will see 765
hectares in area, consisting of 643 hectares of high value Brigalow ecological
community, added to Queensland’s protected natural areas tally.”
“The site is located in the Northern Brigalow Belt region at Mt Flora, near Nebo in
central Queensland and is adjacent to Dipperu (Scientific) National Park, which
contains the largest area of undisturbed Brigalow and related vegetation types in the
Northern Brigalow Belt.”
“By locating the offset site strategically near an existing national park it will increase
the ability to protect Queensland’s biodiversity hotspots and create corridors
for
wildlife migration to help mitigate the impact of climate change,” said Mr Grover.
“The Northern Brigalow Belt region is an important biodiversity hotspot for
Queensland and is home to some of the world’s most threatened wildlife.”
“Although 90 per cent of the bioregion is currently used for grazing, Ecofund is able
to work with landholders to maintain a balance between protecting the environment,
industrial development and the agricultural needs for Queensland,” he said.
“Ecofund worked with a rural landholder to secure the offset and negotiated a
financial agreement to protect the environmental values of the area. The area will be
fenced off from grazing, and financial assistance from the project will ensure the site
is better managed against its main threats such as fire and weeds. “
The landholder, Mr Griff Symonds said, “I’m very pleased with the process that has
seen the area protected as a green offset. What was marginally productive land for
us is now able to be better managed and I’m proud to be involved in helping to
protect areas important to Queensland’s environment.”
Wesfarmers Curragh’s Executive General Manager, Rod Bridges said, “We support
the role that environmental offsets play in the balance between industry development
in Queensland and the environment.”
“Ecofund’s expertise in sourcing and securing the offset and their knowledge of
related government policy made the entire process very professional and cost
effective,” said Mr Bridges.
16 July 2010
MEDIA RELEASE
Mr Grover said, “Coal mining is an important economic driver in the Northern
Brigalow Belt region for Queensland and Ecofund is proud to work with organisations
such as Wesfarmers Curragh who are willing to go beyond simply meeting
regulations to develop offset plans and protect biodiversity hotspots to create a
balance between industry and the environment.”
“Wesfarmers Curragh has shown leadership within the industry to ensure the offset is
protected in perpetuity as a Nature Refuge,” said Mr Grover.
Media Contact:
Melissa Brooks
Group Manager Marketing and Communications
07 3017 6466
About Ecofund Queensland
Ecofund is a newly formed Queensland Government owned business that aims to
help balance the impact of human activities by protecting and enhancing
Queensland’s natural environment. Ecofund is a provider of carbon and
environmental offset services.
Ecofund works in partnership with government agencies, businesses and interested
individuals with a statutory obligation or a voluntary commitment to create a low
carbon future and protect and manage the environmental values of Queensland.
Ecofund assists developers to meet the requirements of environmental regulation,
can provide rural landholders with alternative income streams, and delivers real
conservation outcomes that expand the natural protected area estate.
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