- The Miles Government will invest an additional $14.65 million to further support community safety on K'gari.
- The funding will see the Eurong Information Centre re-opened as well permanent accommodation for rangers established and revamped information signage for visitors.
- The new funding follows the Labor Government's delivery last year of 10 additional ranger positions to enhance community safety and management of wongari (dingoes).
The Miles Government will invest $14.65 million in new funding over the next three years to further support community safety on iconic K'gari (Fraser Island).
Environment Minister Leanne Linard said the new funding will support the re-opening of the Eurong Information Centre, which was closed by the Newman LNP Government in 2012.
The funding will also go towards the construction of new, permanent accommodation on the island for rangers, as well as updated signage and communications materials for visitors to the island.
The new funding is on top of the additional investment announced last year for extra rangers and enhanced safety messaging on the island.
That announcement – an additional $2 million in funding this financial year and an additional $3 million annually ongoing – is supporting the employment of an additional six Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers, four additional Indigenous rangers in partnership with the Traditional Owners, the Butchulla People, and three specialist staff within the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.
As stated by Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:
"The Miles Government has a track record of protecting our national parks and investing in new and updated infrastructure within our parks to ensure Queenslanders and interstate and international visitors can safely enjoy them.
"World Heritage listed K'Gari, with its pristine natural environment of stunning beaches, freshwater lakes, lush rainforests and native species, is one of Queensland's most popular tourist destinations.
"The Miles Government is continuing to invest in measures that will enhance visitors' experiences on this special island.
"The Eurong Information Centre was a popular destination for visitors wanting information about K'gari, however it was a victim of the Newman LNP government's razor gang, along with some 500 staff from across the Department of Environment and Science who lost their jobs.
"Following feedback from rangers and the community, the Miles Labor Government will re-open the centre and make it a place where visitors can once again get information about the island, its cultural significance and the threats to be aware of, such as the wongari.
"The government will also fund the construction of permanent accommodation for rangers on the island.
"The funding will also support a signage replacement program to refresh and strengthen messaging, while incorporating information about K'gari's significance to the Butchulla People, to enrich the experience of visitors to the island."
As stated by Member for Hervey Bay, Adrian Tantari:
"K'gari is truly the jewel in the Fraser Coast's tourism crown. That's why it attracts around 500,000 tourists every year.
"Our Labor Government is committed to ensuring everyone who visits K'gari has a memorable and safe time.
"We know that the island's natural setting that attracts so many also presents challenges, particularly with the wongari.
"We continue to see negative interactions between humans and wongari. The government takes these seriously and have invested in additional rangers and enhanced communications to educate the public about the risks.
"This new funding is a continuation of this investment and further demonstrates our commitment to investing in K'gari, as opposed to the LNP who viciously cut staff in the Environment Department and closed the Eurong Information Centre, which is a popular destination and source of local information for tourists.
"The LNP cuts, Labor Governments invest in K'gari and Hervey Bay."
