Conservation group raises funds to buy Queensland land
Bush Heritage Australia raised nearly nineteen million dollars to purchase a large cattle station in far north Queensland before Christmas.
This twenty thousand hectare tract links wet tropics rainforest with the Great Barrier Reef headwaters near Cairns. It borders an existing reserve and contains vast areas of forest and woodland on Jirrbal lands south of the city.
The site hosts at least twelve threatened species including cassowaries and tree kangaroos while serving as a northern refuge for koalas. Scientists believe unknown species likely live within these diverse habitats that remain largely intact.
A proposed windfarm plan was rejected in 2024 after officials noted unacceptable environmental impacts on local wildlife populations. This rejection helped preserve the area for potential conservation acquisition by the dedicated organization.
Rachel Lowry stated this purchase breaks a glass ceiling for the sector and represents their most ambitious single acquisition. Fundraising efforts have continued for over eighteen months to secure the necessary financial resources for the deal.