<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/aug/08/queensland-deforestation-capital-australia-conservationists-say>
"Forest and woodland across an area more than 1,000 times the size of the
Sydney CBD was bulldozed in Queensland in 2022-23, newly published figures
show, sparking warnings the state is escalating risks to endangered species and
worsening climate change.
Almost half (44%) of the 332,015 hectares of clearing was in Great Barrier Reef
catchment areas, causing nutrient and sediment flow that puts additional
pressure on corals already bleaching due to climate change.
The state government land-clearing data for 2022-23, published this week, shows
overall clearing was up 3% on the previous year.
Of the clearing, 21% (70,799 hectares) was remnant woodland, meaning it had not
been cleared before or that it resembled uncleared forest, an increase of 8%.
Remnant vegetation is important for biodiversity and supports endangered
species such as the koala and greater glider.
Dave Copeman, the director of the Queensland Conservation Council, the state’s
peak conservation body, said the figures were “shocking”.
“Queenslanders and international visitors alike would be distressed to learn
that the Queensland government is allowing forests and woodlands to be
bulldozed in the Great Barrier Reef catchment at an alarming rate, with over
140,000 hectares being cleared per year,” he said.
“This is devastating additional pressure on an already damaged Great Barrier
Reef struggling to survive from repeated mass bleaching events. This clearing
must stop.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
