Brisbane’s popular Daisy Hill Conservation Park expanded with land acquisition

The Queensland Government has purchased a 213 hectare parcel of land which extends one of Brisbane’s popular and well patronised urban conservation parks - the Daisy Hill Conservation Park.

The conservation park has an extensive trail network, barbecue and picnic facilities, and caters for a variety of recreational activities including horse riding, mountain biking and bush walking.

The land was purchased from a private landholder who had a strong conservation ethic and had envisaged the land would be protected in perpetuity.

The property protects the ‘missing link’ of bushland around Kimberley Plateau, consolidating the forests between Daisy Hill Conservation Park and Venman Bushland National Park.

Located in Brisbane’s southern suburbs, Daisy Hill Conservation Park contains significant habitat for koalas and other wildlife.

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation will begin planning for a range of new capital works on the land, including new boundary fences, fire trails and signage.

It is anticipated the land will formally become part of the protected area estate later in the year.

Queensland Environment Minister, Leanne Linard noted “Protected areas are crucial in ensuring the future of Queensland’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity and we will continue to grow our protected areas in line with Queensland’s Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030.”

“The 2023/24 State Budget included $30.6 million for land acquisitions to expand our network of protected areas. This investment is part of the historic commitment of $262.5 million made in last year’s budget.

“I would like to acknowledge and thank my colleague, Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni, for his advocacy on behalf of his community for the purchase of this land so it can be protected for future generations.”

Local State Member for Springwood, Mick de Brenni shared “I have mountain biked, walked, and had picnics here all my life, and more recently helped in bushcare activities at Daisy Hill Conservation Park, so I know how important this is to the entire community.

“It is a rare thing to see such huge increases to protected areas in urban environments like Springwood, so this will be a massive relief to local residents, and the conservationists who have protected Daisy Hill and Venmans bushland for so long.

“I want to thank Premier Miles for backing this initiative for so many years, from concept, to now putting this high value bushland back in the hands of the people to be protected forever.

Daisy Hill Natural Area Volunteers Group Coordinator, Jim Napier added “this land purchase is great news for local residents and visitors to Daisy Hill Conservation Park, the Daisy Hill Koala Centre, and the Venman Bushland National Park.

“It’s also great news for our native wildlife and the environment.

“As Daisy Hill natural area volunteers group coordinator, I see first hand how much enjoyment visitors to these areas’ recreation facilities and the koala centre get from this unique bushland setting so close to the city.

“Like all Daisy Hill natural area volunteers, I am looking forward to the opening of the newly acquired land.

“It will provide and protect vital wildlife corridors between the Daisy Hill Conservation Park and the Venman Bushland National Park, as well as offer more nature-based recreational opportunities for all to enjoy.”

More than 14.5 million hectares across Queensland are now protected under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 in various forms. That’s an area more than twice the size of Tasmania.

Click here for information on the Daisy Hill Conservation Park.

Information on the Daisy Hill natural area volunteers is available here. 

Images: Local MP Mick de Brenni and Daisy Hill Natural Area Volunteers Group Coordinator Leanne Linard with the Daisy Hill acquisition map (top) and Daisy Hill Conservation Park additional land (below).