Queensland to re-open reef islands to visitors
The Queensland government has bought leases on two reef islands with plans open them to tourismTwo islands in the Cumberland Islands chain along the central Queensland coast will be rehabilitated and re-opened to visitors after the state government took over their leases.
The newly acquired reef island leases on St Bees Island and Long Island Broad Sound form part of the Queensland Government’s $262.5 million war chest earmarked to conserve more wilderness areas in the state
The islands also form important habitats for wildlife. St Bee’s is known for its koalas and flatback turtle nesting grounds, while Long Island Broad Sound is known for its flatback turtle nursery.
According to the government, both leases are not yet accessible to the public. However, once previous operations are transitioned and the historical infrastructure is made safe and rehabilitated, the areas will be open to visitors.
St Bees Island is located 35km north-east of Mackay.
The St Bees Island lease includes 4.2 hectares of land that fronts onto Homestead Bay and consolidates the South Cumberland Islands National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The term lease area contains 70 per cent remnant vegetation and has high conservation values with essential habitat for koalas and the eastern curlew.
Buying the lease and the transfer of 101 hectares of the island's beach esplanade reserves will mean the entirety of St Bees Island will become a protected area, with the lease area to be rehabilitated.
The Long Island Broad Sound rolling term lease will add more than 3500 hectares of unique, natural habitat and a known rookery for the vulnerable flatback turtle to Queensland’s protected area.
Long Island is about 20 kilometres long and 5.5 kilometres wide at its widest point and features vast salt marshes and mangrove forests and a range of restricted coastal ecosystems.
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