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I’m thrilled to announce that Pullen Pullen Reserve on Maiawali country in western Queensland has become Queensland’s first ever Special Wildlife Reserve.
This new class of protected area, legislated by the Queensland Government, provides national park level protections to privately owned or managed nature reserves like Pullen Pullen.
Queensland is the only state to provide national park level protection to private land, making the declaration of Pullen Pullen Special Wildlife Reserve an Australian first as well.
The added level of protection that comes with the special wildlife reserve status will ensure Pullen Pullen is permanently protected from possible incompatible land uses such as mining, timber harvesting or grazing.
The decision secures the ongoing survival of Pullen Pullen’s population of Night Parrots, one of Australia’s most endangered and elusive birds, and provides habitat protection for many other native species found on the reserve, such as the critically endangered Plains-wanderer.
Since purchasing the reserve in 2016, following the rediscovery of the Night Parrot in 2013, Bush Heritage has worked tirelessly to give the critically endangered species a fighting chance for survival.
Actions we have taken include implementing feral predator control and fire management across the reserve, working closely with researchers and scientists and trialling innovative technology for the Night Parrot’s protection.
Just last week, staff were on the ground installing a new conservation research base on the reserve, which will allow us to achieve even more across this landscape.
I would like to extend my thanks to the Maiawali Traditional Custodians, who are working to identify and conserve Pullen Pullen’s significant cultural heritage.
The Queensland government including Minister for the Environment Leanne Enoch, Bush Heritage staff and supporters, the Maiawali people, scientists and others gathered at a ceremony at Brisbane’s Parliament House yesterday to celebrate the declaration.
