West Cooroy Conservation Park

Cooroy State Forest Campaign

President’s Report 2023

Cooroy State Forest,comprising 1,200 ha was gazetted a Conservation Reserve earlier this year, after a long campaign to have this state forest receive perpetual conservation status. The area includes subtropical rainforest and tall wet sclerophyll forest, and features the critically endangered Native Guava. It’s also home to the endangered Greater Glider, Koalas, the threatened Giant Barred Frog and the vulnerable Tusked Frog.

A New Hinterland National Park

yIn late December, the Queensland Government, through the offices of Meaghan Scanlon MP, announced a number of state forests across South East Queensland are to be transferred to national park status. The transfers include the 1,200 ha West Cooroy State Forest on the shire’s southwestern boundary. Scanlan noted: “The transfer of the forests will ensure they are conserved by legislation, while also ensuring that public access remains and people can continue to enjoy these beautiful areas.” 
 
Down for listing as a national park in the 1999 SE Queensland Regional Forest Agreement, West Cooroy State Forest was excluded in the final decision since it was reserved as a forest resource. Australian Rainforest Conservation Society (ARCS) members were informed of its exclusion. Many locals noted a light logging operation 14 years ago, before the forest returned to its untouched state.
 
West Cooroy contains subtropical rainforest, tall wet sclerophyll forest, including the critically endangered Native Guava. It’s also home to the endangered Koala, Greater Glider, the threatened Giant Barred Frog and the vulnerable Tusked Frog. There have been 146 bird sightings, including the Wonga Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit Dove, King-Parrot, Paradise Riflebird, Superb Fruit Dove, 10 species of Honeyeater, Satin Bowerbird, Green Catbird, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, and the Spectacled Monarch. The distinctive call of the Bell Miner (pictured) is evident along the road in several places. 
 
West Cooroy State Forest, Tuchekoi National Park and Woondum National Park are important hinterland reserves with streams and rivers feeding the Mary River, which runs out to the Great Barrier Reef at Maryborough. With most of the shire’s attention and conservation efforts directed to the coast’s national parks and the Noosa River, it’s worth pointing out these hinterland natural assets are also important to the shire’s biodiversity.
 
Former mayor, Tony Wellington, a long-time advocate, recently wrote a report on West Cooroy State Forest for the Noosa Parks Association (NPA). He noted the area forms part of the Landscape Connectivity Corridors mapped for Noosa Council’s Biodiversity Assessment Report. Obviously, a national park in the shire’s west, would be a huge ecological boost to the shire.
 
In recent years, CARA, along with ARCS and the NPA, has lobbied state members and government departments for this new national park. While the timeframe for the change has not been announced, because of consultation with indigenous representatives and neighbouring landowners, the decision is most welcome and an important addition to Noosa’s natural estate.
 
Rod Ritchie
CARA President

President’s Report 2022

The transition of West Cooroy State Forest to National Park status, which is awaiting a report on existing resources and perhaps some final harvesting, still appears to be achievable.

President’s Report 2020

West Cooroy State Forest

Due to its importance as a Koala Habitat, West Cooroy State Forest is to be transitioned to National Park status. CARA has approached Cr Brian Stockwell and our local member Rob Skelton MP to undertake discussions with the State Government to achieve this.

President’s Report 2017

CARA asked Peter Wellington and Tony Wellington about changing Cooroy State Forest’s status to National Park.
Tony has been working with the former Environment Minister Miles, and will continue to press for the transfer
post election.