June 3, 2024
A wildlife program supported by 13 south-east Queensland councils – including Toowoomba, Gympie and Somerset – has won a Local Government Managers Australia Award For Excellence.
The Land for Wildlife South East Queensland program was recognised at the LGMA Awards Gala in Brisbane on May 23.
Toowoomba councillor Tim McMahon congratulated the 13 councils and the private landholders for their long-term collaboration.
“The program has created resilient structures of governance and avenues to share information, skills and knowledge while achieving a common goal of improved land conservation within their respective communities,” Cr McMahon said.
“A significant challenge facing biodiversity protection efforts in south-east Queensland is that more than 50 per cent of biodiversity values are on private land.
“To overcome this challenge, Council works with 12 other south-east councils to support private landholders’ land conservation efforts.
“The program has engaged with more than 5600 residents in the south-east Queensland area to manage wildlife habitat on their properties.
“It’s fantastic to see this impactful program being recognised by the Queensland branch of the LGMA for its effective collaboration between the many stakeholders involved.”
Land for Wildlife South East Queensland is fully funded and led by the participating Councils: Brisbane, Gold Coast, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan City, Moreton Bay, Noosa, Redland City, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
Residents in these Council areas who own a property with bushland on it – or are prepared to reinstate bushland – can join the program through the Land for Wildlife website
