The McCoys Creek Wetland on the Gold Coast has been declared as Queensland’s second Conserved Area.
The 146‑hectare wetland supports threatened species including the tusked frog, water mouse and koala.
It becomes the first Conserved Area in Australia to be managed by a local government authority (City of Gold Coast).
It joins Weranga Scarps in Queensland’s Western Downs as the state’s second declared area in a joint State and Federal Government initiative.
Conserved areas are established to ensure sites with biodiversity, such as threatened species, are looked after in a way to protect the plants and animals alongside other land uses.
Conserved Areas, alongside Protected Areas, contribute to a national target to protect and conserve 30 percent of land by 2030.
McCoys Creek Wetland, located east of Pimpama, forms part of the Gold Coast’s Northern Koala Corridor and is home to a range of threatened species.
It also supports seven distinct regional ecosystems, two federally listed threatened ecological communities, and Ramsar-listed wetlands.
Federal Minister for Environment and Water Murray Watt said Conserved Areas offered an innovative way to formally recognise biodiversity conservation.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the milestone demonstrated strong collaboration between levels of government.
“Queensland is proud to secure another Conserved Area, recognising the outstanding environmental value of McCoys Creek Wetland and ensuring it is protected for generations to come,” Minister Powell said.
“This is a landmark achievement as Australia’s first council‑managed conserved area, showing what can be achieved when state and local governments work together to protect biodiversity.”
