Mount Glen Rock forms the majestic backdrop to the small country township of Esk, in South East Queensland. It is home to Aboriginal legends and Endangered and Threatened species of Flora and Fauna. The Somerset Regional Council have plans to change this 208 hectares of natural beauty, into a $6.1 million ADVENTURE PARK, at the expense of our unique eco-system, and for the profit of a select group of stakeholders.

On February 11th, 2022, former Australian Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley, upgraded the listing of our iconic Koala from Vulnerable  to ENDANGERED. In 2021, Minister Ley added the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby to Australia's 20 most THREATENED mammals.

On February 9th, 2022 the Somerset Regional Council released their Mount Glen Rock Draft Master Plan despite the majority of this 208 hectares being classified as both PRIMARY and SECONDARY ENDANGERED KOALA HABITAT, along with THREATENED BRUSH-TAILED ROCK WALLABY HABITAT, and according to the Draft Master Plan, possibly home to numerous other Threatened species of Flora and Fauna. It is the habitat of other native wildlife, including Echidna, Red-necked Wallaby, a Flying Fox Colony consisting of up to 3 species at a time, Bandicoot, Micro Bats, and an abundance of bird life, including the Rare Squatter Pigeon, Wedge-tailed Eagle, King Parrot, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo and Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

This proposed Adventure Park will consist of 28kms of Mountain Bike Trails and Walking Trails, with OVER 95% dedicated for MOUNTAIN BIKING ONLY. There will be several Rock Climbing and Abseiling locations, Multiple Lookouts and a Day Use Area for Events, with amenities and parking to also accommodate trailers and coaches. Whilst Impact Assessments are yet to be fully  undertaken, Somerset Regional Council is already promoting this ADVENTURE PARK as being 'Low Impact'. Research studies have found that Mountain Bike Riding in particular impacts wildlife. Mountain Bike trails contribute to environmental erosion and research suggests the trails impact hydrology. 

It is understood that Somerset Regional Council will seek State and Federal funding for this $6.1 million Adventure Development. We strongly oppose this current Development Proposal. It lacks long-term vision to PROTECT and PRESERVE the habitats of native wildlife, especially those listed as ENDANGERED and THREATENED.

Former President for the Friends of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby, Susan Robertson, has stated,

"AUSTRALIA has the reputation of the HIGHEST DOCUMENTED SPECIES EXTINCTION of ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, and somewhere, we HAVE to DRAW THE LINE".

We respectfully call on the Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, and the new State Environment Minister Leanne Linard, to DRAW THE LINE.

SAVE and PROTECT our unique Australian wildlife and habitat of Mount Glen Rock.

PLEASE STOP this current Adventure Park Development Proposal from proceeding any further.

PLEASE STRENGTHEN the PROTECTION LAWS to STOP these types of detrimental developments occurring upon habitats of Endangered and Threatened species.

We also call on the Somerset Regional Council to DRAW THE LINE. This proposed development does not align with Council's declaration of a commitment to Nature and Wildlife Conservation. 

PLEASE STOP this proposed development that seeks to exploit the natural beauty and native wildlife habitats of our town's natural landmark, Mount Glen Rock.

PLEASE SUPPORT US by signing this petition.

PLEASE CONTACT the Somerset Regional Council through mail@somerset.qld.gov.au to STOP this unnecessary and destructive development.

Our Beautiful Mountain and Wildlife, Need You Now...