Grazing on QPWS managed areas

Where grazing occurs on Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) managed areas, QPWS aims to ensure that the grazing is managed to avoid or minimise adverse environmental impacts on these lands.

Commercial stock grazing is considered an appropriate use of forestry land under the Forestry Act 1959 where it is compatible with existing forest values and where the activity does not compromise principles of ecologically sustainable forest management.

Commercial stock grazing is generally considered inconsistent with the management principles of protected areas under the Nature Conservation 1992 due to unacceptable environmental impacts. However, stock grazing activities may be authorised on certain protected areas under special circumstances, including:

  • On a national park (scientific) under a Deed of Agreement – where the grazing is considered to be necessary to achieve specific conservation goals of the area, such as to protect threatened wildlife or ecological communities.
  • On a national park under a previous use authority – where a new national park is dedicated and grazing had been authorised under a previous tenure. Such grazing may be authorised to continue until the expiry of the term stated on the previous authority.
  • On a national park within a declared Special Management Area (controlled action) – where it can be demonstrated that grazing is the only viable mechanism to protect or restore the natural and/or cultural values of an area.
  • On a conservation park and a resources reserve – where the grazing provides for conservation outcomes by enhancing or maintaining the natural values of the area; improves, enhances or maintains the habitat of threatened species; or is identified or referenced in a management plan or management statement as appropriate for the area.
  • On a forest reserve – where the grazing is consistent with the proposed future class of protected area for the area. If the proposed future class of protected area is unknown, the forest reserve is considered as if it were to be a national park.

Grazing of stock on QPWS managed areas currently occurs through one of the following methods:

  • under a Stock Grazing Permit issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 or Forestry Act 1959; or
  • under a previous use authority issued under the Nature Conservation Act 1992; or
  • under a Deed of Agreement on a national park (scientific); or
  • under a term lease issued under the Land Act 1994;

Contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for more information.

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