Regarding the progress of an updated plan for the Tuchekoi National Park that was previously delayed due to the Native Title determinations, we wrote to the new Government requesting a timeline on when the new plan will be released.
In December 2024, the Queensland Minister for Environment’s office provided the following in response:
The current management directions for Tuchekoi National Park are captured in the Tuchekoi National Park and Tuchekoi Forest Reserve Management Statement 2013.
The Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) requires management statements to be reviewed every 10 years and either extended, amended, or replaced with a new instrument.
The intent is to extend the existing Management Statement under the NCA.
The extension is an administrative process to renew the currency of the Management Statement with no material changes made.
This extension is proposed to be actioned in January 2025.
A more comprehensive review of the Management Statement will be undertaken once current management planning processes for higher visited national parks in the region have been completed.
Management planning priorities and processes are decided and progressed in full consultation with our First Nations partners, the Kabi Kabi People.
Any update to the Management Statement will include targeted consultation with community stakeholders regarding the future management of the natural and cultural values of Tuchekoi National Park.
Considering this response, there were concerns raised that the extension of the existing Management Statement wouldn’t take into account changes that have occurred in the last ten years as well as the increase in residents and visitors using the park, including climbing Mt Cooroora, during that time. We compiled these concerns and sent to the Minister, who provided below:
A more comprehensive review of the Management Statement will be undertaken once current management planning processes for more highly visited national parks in the region have been completed.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) South-East Queensland Regional (SEQR) is responsible for the management of over 1.5 million hectares of land, including more than 74 National Parks (NP) and 105 Conservation Parks. QPWS uses Level of Service ratings, which are based on park values, threats and complexity of management, to prioritise management actions and resourcing.
South-East Queensland includes a number of priority protected areas that have a very high or exceptional ‘Level of Service’, including Lamington NP, Noosa NP, D’Aguilar NP, Mount Barney NP, Springbrook NP, Daisy Hill CP, Mon Repos CP, Glass House Mountains NP, Kondalilla NP, Nerang NP, Tewantin NP and Tamborine NP. Tuchekoi NP, by contrast, has only a medium Level of Service.
SEQR is currently progressing management planning processes for Gondwana Parks (Springbrook, Lamington and Mt Barney NPs) and Glass House Mountains NP as a priority.
Following the proposed extension of the Tuchekoi National Park and Tuchekoi Forest Reserve Management Statement 2013, QPWS will continue to take steps towards implementing a contemporary Management Statement through continued engagement with our First Nations partners, the Kabi Kabi People and community stakeholders.
Developing a contemporary Management Statement will include targeted consultation with community stakeholders regarding the future management of the natural and cultural values of Tuchekoi NP.
If residents have any specific concerns regarding the management of Tuchekoi NP, QPWS are amenable to discussing these concerns as demonstrated on previous occasions.
Sandy will continue to monitor this and provide updates once new information becomes available. If you have any feedback on the above or regarding Tuchekoi National Park, please email our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Further information
To contact the Queensland Minister for Environment, email environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response you receive.
In November 2022, following Sandy’s long advocacy, a small portion of land was revocated from Tuchekoi National Park to provide ongoing tenure for the Pomona Men’s Shed who have used this site since 2014. Please find further information regarding at www.sandybolton.com/pomona-mens-shed-update-october-2023.
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