AGFORCE

What is a nature refuge?

Nature Refuges are voluntary agreements negotiated individually between the landholder and the State Government and provide for the continuation of sustainable production while protecting biodiversity in perpetuity.

Nature refuges were first established under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992 as a class of protected area. 

In many cases, nature refuges provide a valuable wildlife corridor between other protected areas such as national parks and state forests. Each Nature Refuge Agreement is negotiated individually between the landholder and State Government so that management requirements (eg. pest and weed control, timber management etc.) can be taken into account.  The landholder still retains ownership and management, and there is no change to public access.

 

AgForce and the Nature Refuge Program

Since 2007, when AgForce began to publicly support the Nature Refuge Program, demand by landholders to enter into nature refuge agreements has increased exponentially.

In 2009, a record 175 expressions of interest for nature refuges covering 3,000,000 hectares of land were submitted by landholders in Queensland under NatureAssist3.  Eighty nine percent were from primary producers.       

AgForce is currently seeking continued State Government support for the continuation of the Environmental Partnerships Scheme (which provides NatureAssist funding) for an additional four years to 2013/14 at a cost of $14 million.  However, to date, AgForce has been unable to obtain any assurances that this funding will be continued.

 In May 2009, AgForce State Council passed two resolutions:

1. “That AgForce support the Queensland Government’s Nature Refuge Program because it:
   
   • Recognises the vital role which Queensland landholders play in the protection of significant natural and cultural values on their properties
   • Allows the continuation of sustainable primary production activities, including grazing and pasture development
   • Recognises individual management requirements, including the need for pest and weed, fire control and timber management, to be undertaken
   • Does not change public access to properties
   • Involves entering into a voluntary agreement (covenant) which is negotiated directly between individual landholders and the Queensland Government
   • provides significant incentives and assistance (including NatureAssist funding) for landholders to meet their obligations under a nature refuge agreement.”
2. ‘That AgForce seek the continuation and enhancement of the Environmental Partnerships Scheme (which provides NatureAssist funding) for an additional four years to 2013/14.  The expected cost of this commitment to the Queensland Government is $14 million.’

AgForce’s position on mining nature refuges is “That AgForce opposes mining on nature refuges in Queensland.” (Executive Committee, August 2009)