Have your say on Queensland’s private protected areas
Consultation has concluded
Please be advised that consultation on A Fresh Start for Private Protected Areas – Discussion Paper (Discussion Paper) closed at 5pm on 12 September 2025.
Thank you to everyone that provided feedback on the Discussion Paper via surveys, document or email submissions, and participation in roundtable discussions. Your feedback will help to inform and shape the future of private protected areas in Queensland.
Queensland has terrestrial protected areas on both public and private land. These areas help to preserve our unique landscapes, plants, animals and our cultural heritage for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.
Private protected areas, like special wildlife reserves and nature refuges, make up 34 per cent of the State’s protected area system and are recognised internationally as playing an important role in the overall protected area system.
Over the 30 years since the first nature refuge was declared, the State’s private protected area network has grown to cover almost five million hectares of privately owned or managed land.
Shaping a new approach
Queenslanders, including farmers and other landholders, are invited to share their thoughts on private protected areas through the A Fresh Start for Private Protected Areas– Discussion Paper.
The paper explains how private protected areas currently work in Queensland, and asks for ideas on how to grow them across the state.
Your feedback will help create a new approach to expand protected areas and achieve better environmental outcomes for the future.
How to provide your feedback
You can complete a survey, submit a document or email your submission.
Complete a survey
- Register with In the Loop by selecting “Register” in the top-right menu of this screen. Already have an account? Sign in
- Once your account is set up (or if you already have one), select the “Sign in” option in the top-right of this screen.
- Choose the Take Survey button below.
- You can then complete a survey or save and return to the survey later.
- Submit your response. Once submitted a copy of your response will be emailed to you.
- If you require any assistance, please email stewardship@detsi.qld.gov.au.
Submit a document
- Register with In the Loop by selecting “Register” in the top-right menu of this screen. Already have an account? Sign in
- Once your account is set up (or if you already have one), select the “Sign in” option in the top-right of this screen.
- Choose the Upload document button below.
- Attach your document in Word or PDF format and submit.
Email your submission
You can also submit your feedback on the discussion paper by emailing stewardship@detsi.qld.gov.au.
Consultation closes 5pm, Friday 12 September 2025.
Privacy statement
Why we request your personal information:
- The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) uses an online engagement platform to seek feedback on various issues and initiatives. We try to minimise the personal information collected, but we need your name and contact details to register you as a user, which allows you to complete surveys, be kept updated on projects, and to be notified of future activities (if you choose).
- The platform we use is called ‘In the loop’, hosted by EngagementHQ, a third-party cloud-based service platform owned and operated by Granicus.
- Other questions asking personal information in this survey are optional and you can skip them if you prefer.
- All personal information gathered by DETSI is treated in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009. For further details view the DETSI privacy policy.
- Please be aware that your de-identified response may be shared with other Queensland Government agencies and Australian Government agencies to help inform future policy developments. Personal information will not be shared.
More information
For more information about private protected areas:
Banner image shows Cobbold Gorge Nature Refuge. Credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland
