Add CategoryAn anonymous donor has given a record $21m to conservationists to buy a 350,000 hectare cattle station that will be turned into parkland to save ‘one of the world’s rarest birds’.
The $21m philanthropic move was said to be the single largest donation for land protection in Australia, and comes as the criticially endangered night parrot was estimated at less than 250 individuals left in southwest Queensland and the Pilbara.
The anonymous gift was brokered by the Nature Conservancy which partnered with Queensland’s Miles Government to ensure Vergemont Station becomes protected habitat – also helping the vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallaby and highly restricted Opalton grasswren.
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The night parrot is critically endangered. Picture: Western Australian Museum/Arianna Urso.
Over 300,000 hectares at Vergemont Station will become protected habitat and within a further 50,000 the government will permit boulder opal mining to continue for locals. Picture: Qld Govt/Supplied.
The deal will see the Channel Country in western Queensland end up with an almost 1.5 million hectare protection zone.
CSIRO’s Australian National Wildlife Collection director Dr Leo Joseph said the night parrot species went missing in 1912. “There were no confirmed sightings for nearly 80 years, until they began showing up in southwest Queensland.” CSIRO researchers said they were “one of Australia’s most mysterious species”, subject to habitat loss and predation by cats and foxes – and described as “one of the world’s rarest and most elusive birds”.
Queensland’s environment minister Leanne Linard said “the acquisition will see the total area of land currently protected or acquired for future dedication as protected areas push over 15 million hectares for the first time” across the state.
According to CSIRO the night parrot was not seen for nearly 80 years. Picture: Western Australian Museum/Arianna Urso.
Vergemont Station has varied terrain supporting multiple species. Picture: Qld Govt/Supplied.
The one concession made in the deal was for “important Queensland boulder opal mining interests on and around Vergemont Station” which Ms Linard said would be allowed within a 50,000 hectare area.
The Nature Conservancy senior adviser global protection strategies Dr James Fitzsimons said the $21m donation was “most likely the single largest donation to buy land for conservation in Australian history”. He said it “highlights the power of leveraged gifts, enabling philanthropists and governments alike to achieve outcomes far beyond what is possible alone”.
“This model will be essential if Australia is to achieve its target of protecting 30 per cent of lands and 30 per cent of oceans by 2030”.
Vergemont Station (in blue) will add to a massive conservation corridor in Channel Country. Picture: Qld Govt/Supplied.
The cattle station repurposing was also expected to help protect the Lake Eyre Basin. Picture: Qld Govt/Supplied.
The conservation move would also protect the headwaters of the Lake Eyre Basin which was “the source of one of the last remaining free-flowing arid river systems in the world”, he said.
Queensland Conservation Council protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat was thrilled at the collaboration between conservation organisations, philanthropic investors and Government.
“Protected areas support communities, through creation of jobs in nature. A University of Queensland study showed that for every $1 spent on Queensland’s national parks, $6.30 in benefits is generated, including in the hospitality and tourism sectors.”
She said surveys showed 77 per cent of Queenslanders want more national parks, and 94 per cent support the role of conservation areas in protecting native animals and plants.
Vulnerable yellow-footed rock-wallabies will also benefit from the purchase. Picture: Darren Jew/Qld Govt.
Vergemont Station covers 350,000 hectares close to Queensland’s western border. Picture: Qld Govt/Supplied.
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Ms Linard said Vergemont Station and the recently acquired Tonkoro and Melrose cattle stations would generate a range of other economic activity in the local region.
“This includes enhanced tourism opportunities, the employment of locally-based rangers and the construction of new infrastructure and land management activities such as pest and fire management actions which will be sourced from local contractors where suitable.”
Ms Moffat said the landmark deal came as hundreds of people pledged to take part in Protect Beautiful Queensland’s first week of action between April 20 and 28.