Media releases

26 Jul 2024

Quoll returned to habitat after Brisbane discovery

A spotted-tailed quoll has been released back into habitat after being discovered by a member of the public in mangroves overhanging the Brisbane River.

24 Jul 2024

Whale calf stranding on K’gari

A humpback whale calf has been euthanised after stranding on the eastern side of K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) near Eurong.

23 Jul 2024

Dingoes snagged hook, line and sinker

Fishing equipment is ensnaring dingoes on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) and causing serious injuries to the island’s iconic residents.

17 Jul 2024

QPWS, Sea World rescue stranded humpback near Hervey Bay

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and Sea World experts have successfully refloated a 10 metre humpback whale following a mammoth two-day operation off the coast of Hervey Bay.

15 Jul 2024

Mount Ngungun temporarily closed

Mount Ngungun in the Glass House Mountains National Park has been temporarily closed.

9 Jul 2024

Rangers ask for no ‘surprises’ in the bush

Across Queensland, rangers are dealing with a crappy situation in our national parks, and people are being asked to stop leaving surprises in the bush.

9 Jul 2024

Environmental DNA tests could boost safety in Croc Country

A collaborative research program could help change the management of Queensland’s estuarine crocodiles and help improve public safety in Croc Country.

8 Jul 2024

QPWS takes action against Mount Ngungun vandalism

National park vandals are being put on notice following a recent spate of graffiti and damage to the popular Mount Ngungun peak, leaving Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers and volunteers to clean up the iconic rocky outcrop.

28 Jun 2024

Removal of unauthorised rock climbing fixtures in Lamington National Park

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has removed dozens of unauthorised rock-climbing bolts from a cliff face in Lamington National Park.

25 Jun 2024

Prohibited puppy playtime leads to fines for pet parents

Every man and his dog are reminded to keep out of restricted protected areas after a Cairns couple were ordered to pay $1,501.40 for taking their kelpie onto Michaelmas Cay.

24 Jun 2024

New fossicking area in Blair Athol State Forest

A new 507-hectare fossicking area is now available in Blair Athol State Forest near Clermont.

Downloadable multimedia

14 Jun 2024

Rare but there – koala rescued in Townsville

The relatively rare sighting of a koala in Townsville recently is a reminder that there is a small population in the region living quietly, mostly unseen and almost unknown.

Downloadable multimedia

14 Jun 2024

Two-year old boy bitten by wongari on K'gari

Rangers on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) are attempting to identify an untagged female dingo (wongari) that bit a two-year-old boy on the thigh on 13 June 2024.

3 Jun 2024

Near-shore landslip - Inskip

Rangers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation witnessed a near-shore landslip that occurred at Inskip Point on 3 June 2024.

Downloadable multimedia

30 May 2024

Upgrades complete for iconic Chance Bay camping area on Whitsunday Island

The Queensland Government has finalised $180,000 worth of upgrades to the Chance Bay camping area in the internationally-recognised Whitsunday Islands National Park.

28 May 2024

Engaging science grants spark STEM interest and protect environment

Community groups, education professionals, scientists and citizen science projects have been given a share of $500,000 thanks to the latest round of the Engaging Science Grants program, administered by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

27 May 2024

Cattle Creek crocodile captured in Ingham

A crocodile that lunged at a fisherman on the bank of Cattle Creek, near Ingham was captured in a baited trap on Friday 24 May 2024.

Downloadable multimedia

24 May 2024

Tyto Wetlands crocodile captured in Ingham

A crocodile that took up residence in the Tyto Wetlands in Ingham was removed from the wild by direct capture during a spotlighting survey on 23 May 2024.

Downloadable multimedia

24 May 2024

CTSCo project not suitable to proceed

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has determined the CTSCo Surat Basin Carbon Capture and Storage Project is not suitable to proceed due to potential impacts on groundwater resources in the Great Artesian Basin.

23 May 2024

$1.2 million upgrade for Bunyaville Conservation Park day-use area

Works will soon begin on a major $1.2 million upgrade of the Bunyaville Conservation Park picnic area to improve all-ability access and provide a more enjoyable experience for visitors.

20 May 2024

Illegal dumping in Cherbourg Forest Reserve

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is seeking the public’s assistance in its investigation into the alleged illegal dumping of asbestos roofing material in the Cherbourg Forest Reserve.

15 May 2024

Mental health, bushfire safety and PFAS contamination among the focal points of this year's Industry Research Projects Program

Advance Queensland and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have officially unveiled the recipients of this year’s ‘Industry Research Projects Program’. The 10 projects awarded from across the state will assist Queensland during its journey towards becoming a leading and sustainable world-class innovation economy.

14 May 2024

They’re coming back – and they’re not alone

It has been nicknamed the ‘humpback highway’ but there is more going on beneath the surface during the annual migration than the spectacular recovery of a threatened species.

14 May 2024

Targeted crocodile captured in Cardwell Marina

A large crocodile that was behaving aggressively around boats and reportedly lunged at the resident of a houseboat in the Cardwell Marina has been captured in a baited trap.

13 May 2024

Cape York Peninsula feral cattle control program

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is planning on conducting feral cattle control programs on four national parks on the Cape York Peninsula later this year to prevent damage the animals cause to the natural and cultural values of Queensland’s national parks.

13 May 2024

Investigation into the death of a dingo on K’gari

A man who allegedly used a speargun to cause the death of a dingo on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) is being investigated for offences under the Nature Conservation Act 1992.

13 May 2024

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) boosts Queensland’s research capability with more than $14M in funding announced for new innovative projects

From next-gen renewable energy research to habitat loss mitigation; the Queensland Government has unveiled the recipients of this year’s Research Infrastructure Co-Investment Fund (RICF), which celebrates some of the state’s most forward-thinking and important projects in the areas of health, renewable energies, science, and technology.

10 May 2024

Cardwell Marina crocodile captured

A three-metre crocodile that moved into the Cardwell Marina recently was captured in a baited trap on 9 May 2024.

9 May 2024

$80K fine, prison sentence for illegal 10 tonne catch in Marine Park Zone

A commercial fisher has been given a nine month prison sentence and ordered to pay $80,000 after he was caught illegally trawling in protected marine habitat off the coast of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

Downloadable multimedia

9 May 2024

DESI launches Queensland’s largest collection of water quality data

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has launched a comprehensive online portal granting easy access to millions of Queensland water quality data points dating back 38 years.

9 May 2024

Targeted crocodile captured in Coorooman Creek area

A highly habituated crocodile that was showing no fear of people and approaching boats for food has been removed from the wild near Coorooman Creek in the Rockhampton region.

3 May 2024

Crocodile targeted for removal – Coorooman Creek

A crocodile that has been regularly seen around the Coorooman Creek boat ramp in Zilzie will be targeted for removal from the wild after it exhibited dangerous behaviour.

1 May 2024

2024 Queensland-Cooper Hewitt Fellowship now open

Applications for the 2024 Queensland-Cooper Hewitt Fellowship opened today (1 May).

30 Apr 2024

10yo boy bitten by wongari on K’gari

Rangers on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) are reminding people to be vigilant following another incident that resulted in a child being bitten by a dingo (wongari).

26 Apr 2024

Interference with crocodile trap – Ingham

A remote camera has captured the moment a man ignored Crocwise messaging and risked his life by interfering with a crocodile trap in Cattle Creek near Ingham.

24 Apr 2024

‘Catastrophic’ system failure under investigation

Gold Coast City Council is under investigation for a ‘catastrophic failure' of its systems following a significant sewage spill from a council pipe at Yatala.

24 Apr 2024

Endangered Australian Turtles become the focus of Queensland-first Survey in Tiaro

Tiaro and District Landcare Group has begun tracking the movements of one of the world's most vulnerable reptiles, the Mary River turtle, in a project jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

22 Apr 2024

Update: Saibai Island crocodile incident

Wildlife officers have euthanised a large crocodile that is believed to be responsible for a fatal attack on a 16-year-old teenage boy off Saibai Island last week.

22 Apr 2024

Cairns crocodile sightings

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) is investigating reports of a large crocodile seen in waters between Yorkeys Knob and Holloways Beach on 21 April 2024.

19 Apr 2024

Saibai Island crocodile incident

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) extends its condolences to the family and friends of a teenager who died in waters off Saibai Island early yesterday morning.

17 Apr 2024

Child bitten by wongari on K’gari

Rangers on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) are attempting to identify a collared dingo (wongari) that bit a child and caused minor injuries on 17 April 2024.

15 Apr 2024

Update: Long-term arrangements for voluntarily surrendered magpie 'Molly'

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has approved a specialised licence and today (15 April 2024) returned ‘Molly’ the magpie to a couple who took it in as a nestling in 2020.

11 Apr 2024

Long-term arrangements for voluntarily surrendered magpie 'Molly'

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) is preparing the return of Molly the magpie, who was voluntarily surrendered on 1 March, to the family who took it in as a nestling in 2020.

5 Apr 2024

No excuse for illegally burning waste in reserve

Two men have been fined more than $4,000 for unlawfully disposing of waste and then setting it on fire in the Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville.

4 Apr 2024

No further positive results in asbestos inspection program

Queensland’s environmental regulator, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), has finalised its proactive asbestos sampling and inspection program, with only two of 36 sites sampled having positive detections in end products.

3 Apr 2024

Child bitten by dingo, Yidney Beachfront, K’gari

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) after a girl was bitten on the leg by a dingo at Yidney beachfront this afternoon (3 April 2024).

28 Mar 2024

Fish frames a dangerous boat ramp feed

Fishers who discard fish frames and bait at boat ramps in Croc Country are attracting crocodiles and putting themselves and the lives of other people at risk.

Downloadable multimedia

27 Mar 2024

Go slow for those below and let our coral recover this Easter

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is asking boaties to take extra care these Easter holidays to protect wildlife and help marine parks recover from recent bleaching events.

26 Mar 2024

Whale watching opportunity in Great Sandy Marine Park

A rare and exciting business opportunity to undertake whale watching in the Great Sandy Marine Park is on offer for a limited number of operators.

26 Mar 2024

Crocodiles captured in the Townsville region

Two large crocodiles have been removed from the wild in North Queensland, with one evading capture for almost a month.

Downloadable multimedia

26 Mar 2024

Crocodile snaps pomarine on Pelican

Rangers conducting bird surveys on the aptly named Pelican Island have captured the brutality of nature as an estuarine crocodile emerged from the ocean to grab a pomarine jaeger.

Downloadable multimedia

22 Mar 2024

A freshwater crocodile walks into a service station…

A freshwater crocodile walking into a service station is not the beginning of a joke, but a very real situation for members of the public and the Queensland Police Service in Townsville.

Downloadable multimedia

20 Mar 2024

Flames forge future for Mount Ballow Mountain Frog

Did you know that fire can be used to protect rainforest frogs? Something to think about this World Frog Day.

20 Mar 2024

Outcome of interim civil proceeding against Swanbank company

The department will continue to pursue regulatory options to prevent odour impacts on the community from waste operators after the Planning and Environment Court today declined to make interim orders against a composter in Swanbank.

15 Mar 2024

Compliance blitz, court case result in almost $500K in fines for illegal waste stockpiling

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, as Queensland’s environmental regulator, is putting Queensland waste operators on notice after a prosecution of an unlicensed operator, and a compliance blitz on metal recyclers resulted in more than $400,000 worth of fines for carrying out unlawful activities that risk the safety of the community and the environment.

15 Mar 2024

Crocodile genetics study to inform management

The results of a long-range genetic study of Queensland’s estuarine crocodiles have shown they can be described broadly as six populations living within 12 distinct bioregions.

15 Mar 2024

Tourist bitten by wongari on K’gari

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is attempting to identify a dingo (wongari) on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) that bit a German tourist on 13 March 2024.

13 Mar 2024

Asbestos detected at Emu Park transfer station and NuGrow Rockhampton

Laboratory results have confirmed asbestos has been detected in a mulch stockpile at Livingstone Shire Council’s Emu Park transfer station.

13 Mar 2024

Collar to track wongari entering fenced area

Rangers have fitted a GPS tracking collar to a dingo (wongari) displaying heightened risk activity and entering a fenced area on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island).

7 Mar 2024

Coorooman Creek crocodile complacency continues

Wildlife officers are warning that complacency in central Queensland croc country is very unsafe after witnessing disturbing behaviour from users of the Coorooman Creek boat ramp in Zilzie.

7 Mar 2024

Joint asbestos investigation update – 6 March 2024

No further evidence of asbestos contamination has been found at NuGrow’s Swanbank facility after further testing as part of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s (DESI) ongoing investigation.

7 Mar 2024

$145,000 penalty for destroying thousands of protected mangroves near Townsville

A Townsville man has been ordered to pay close to $145,000 in relation to illegally clearing almost three football stadiums-worth of internationally-recognised wetlands in the Cape Cleveland section of Bowling Green Bay National Park.

6 Mar 2024

Crocodiles observed downstream in Rollingstone Creek

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have confirmed the presence of three large crocodiles in Rollingstone Creek, north of Townsville which are well downstream of the swimming hole.

6 Mar 2024

Hop to it! Secure your camping permit for Easter to avoid a fine

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is reminding Queenslanders to obtain their permits ahead of camping these April school holidays and Easter long weekend.

4 Mar 2024

Rollingstone Creek crocodile confirmed

Wildlife officers have used photos and videos to confirm the presence of an estimated three-metre crocodile in the Rollingstone Creek swimming hole, north of Townsville.

4 Mar 2024

Smithsonian Fellowships now open

The Queensland Government’s 2024 Smithsonian Fellowship Program is now open.

2 Mar 2024

Planned burn in partnership protects key environmental, power assets

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has partnered with Powerlink, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) and neighbouring landholders to protect crucial habitat in D’Aguilar National Park through a broad-scale planned burn operation.

1 Mar 2024

Joint asbestos investigation update

No further evidence of asbestos contamination has been found at the first 23 waste sites tested as part of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s (DESI) ongoing investigation.

27 Feb 2024

Asbestos detected in compost at NuGrow Ipswich

A small amount of asbestos has been detected in a compost stockpile at NuGrow Ipswich Pty Ltd’s site during a joint targeted inspection by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) and the Asbestos Safety Unit of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ).

26 Feb 2024

Do not feed or interact with crocodiles

Wildlife officers have issued a serious warning to the public that feeding crocodiles puts lives at risk, after alarming social media videos surfaced in the Rockhampton region.

21 Feb 2024

Tourists lost in remote area after Google Maps mishap

Two German tourists are lucky to be alive after Google Maps directed them to enter Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) while they were attempting to travel from Cairns to Bamaga.

Downloadable multimedia

18 Feb 2024

Tourists bitten by wongari on K’gari

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating two separate incidents on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) where two people on separate tours were injured by wongari (dingoes).

14 Feb 2024

Crocodile captured in the Mulgrave River

A 2.3m crocodile has been captured in a trap in the Mulgrave River near the Ross and Locke recreation area, upstream of Gordonvale on 11 February 2024.

9 Feb 2024

QPWS team studies turtles, remove over 100kg of rubbish from crucial turtle nesting habitat

Threatened Species officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) have removed rubbish and large debri from foreshore on one of the world’s most important hawksbill turtle rookeries.

8 Feb 2024

Croc removed from property near Cardwell

Wildlife officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have removed a 2.5 metre crocodile from a private property near Cardwell in north Queensland.

Downloadable multimedia

7 Feb 2024

Winchester South coal mine approved

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation has approved the environmental authority (EA) application for Whitehaven WS Pty Ltd’s Winchester South coal mine.

6 Feb 2024

Croc removed from Palm Creek - Ingham

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have removed a small crocodile from Palm Creek at Garbutt Park in Ingham.

Downloadable multimedia

2 Feb 2024

Decision reserved in NuGrow court action

In December 2023, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation filed a restraint order application in the Planning and Environment Court, seeking to halt odour-producing aspects of a Swanbank waste operator's activities to bring relief to the local community.

2 Feb 2024

28 protected birds released after being held at a Gympie residence

Wildlife Officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) have rescued and released dozens of protected birds which were being kept illegally by a Gympie resident.

1 Feb 2024

Rangers join Wujal Wujal flood clean-up

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers have taken their specialist skills and equipment off-park to support the ongoing clean-up of Wujal Wujal following severe flooding from ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

24 Jan 2024

Park closures ahead of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has today temporarily closed mainland and island national parks and protected areas between Cardwell and Airlie Beach ahead of the expected impact of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily and associated weather conditions.

23 Jan 2024

Fined for Moreton Bay Marine Park fishing offences

A commercial fisher was fined $8000 plus $250 costs on fishing-related charges in the Cleveland Magistrates Court last week.

23 Jan 2024

Waste fire, Swanbank

Compliance officers from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) are investigating the cause of a fire at the Nugrow composting facility in the early hours of yesterday morning (22 January 2024).

19 Jan 2024

The great interstate platypus exchange

The Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) and the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have exchanged platypuses to bolster the population and enhance public education for the species.

16 Jan 2024

Dingo euthanised on K’gari following dangerous incidents

A dingo responsible for several serious incidents on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island) has been humanely euthanised this afternoon (16 January 2024).

15 Jan 2024

Rangers respond to dingo bite at Hook Point, K’gari

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) after a man was bitten on the leg by a dingo at Hook Point earlier today (15 January 2024).

13 Jan 2024

Update – Serious dingo incident, Hook Point

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has identified the dingo that bit a young girl at Hook Point on K’gari yesterday (12 January 2024).

12 Jan 2024

Rangers responding after young girl bitten on K’gari

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is investigating an incident on at Hook Point on K’gari (formerly known as Fraser Island) today (12 January) during which a young girl was bitten multiple times by a dingo.

12 Jan 2024

Environmental Protection Order – Wood Mulching Industries

The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) has ordered a Swanbank waste operator to take immediate action to better manage their green waste and compost stockpiles on their site, following a fire late last month.

11 Jan 2024

Waste levies waived for Scenic Rim Regional Council and Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council

The Queensland Government has waived waste levies for the Scenic Rim Regional Council in south-east Queensland and the Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council in far north Queensland to support these communities as they recover from significant recent weather events.

10 Jan 2024

Media releases

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