MINISTERIAL STATEMENT: Queensland Floods, Environment

Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef
and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs) (10.23 am):

This week we have heard many stories about the resilience and strength of Queenslanders—of frontline staff and communities rallying together to respond to the immediate threats of flood and what is now a long recovery process ahead. That same spirit has extended to our much loved national parks and marine areas and the hundreds of businesses who rely on them.

Last week I joined rangers and volunteers who have mobilised to bring Queensland’s parks back
online and reignite the state’s tourism industry. I am pleased to advise the House that the Palaszczuk
government is providing up to 16 volunteer groups across the south-east and Wide Bay, with $740,000
to help recovery efforts.

As rangers focus on rebuilding damaged tracks and reopening parks, this funding will enable the
groups to focus efforts on clearing rubbish that has ended up in our rivers and the bay. I want to
acknowledge the member who was with us when we made that important announcement in Manly. It
will go to help funding the cost of equipment, PPE and coordinating volunteers and vessels.

There is a mammoth task ahead of us, but crews have swung into action already cleaning up
pontoons on Mulgumpin, Moreton Island, while some 70 volunteers have worked with rangers to repair
tracks at Bunyaville and Samford. Now the clean-up begins at K’gari, where in the last couple of days
rubbish has started washing up. We have given the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation $20,000 to help
begin this clean-up alongside our rangers and plenty of volunteers. Already—picking up just small items
alone—they have collected enough to cover half a football field. Pontoons, rainwater tanks, kayaks and
rubbish bins have all washed up on this natural wonder, and large machinery is being rolled out to
remove these items.

Our rangers have not stopped working since the start of this event. When it began, they supported
emergency services, including assisting the Queensland Water Police with their response in the
Brisbane River during the peak of the flood. Now they are working hard to ensure these parks are safe
for visitors, especially ahead of the busy Easter period.

These past two weeks have shown just how big an impact waste can have on our environment.
That is why we are providing this funding to help with the clean-up in addition to our $1.1 billion
Recycling and Jobs Fund. I want to place on the record my thanks and acknowledgement to all of our
rangers, waste team and volunteers for all of the efforts they have already put in and for all they will do
over the coming weeks and months.