Queensland’s tree clearing is out of control, sending greenhouse emissions soaring and polluting the Great Barrier Reef’s waters.

Since the previous Newman Government weakened the laws that stopped massive tree clearing in Queensland the rate of broad scale tree clearing has almost doubled, jumping to an alarming 300,000 hectares every year - that’s around 360,000 Rugby League football fields of native bushland every single year! A third of this clearing is on land with rivers and streams that flow into our Great Barrier Reef. This is very bad news for our Reef.

Send a message to the leader of the opposition Tim Nicholls and tell him to support the strong vegetation management laws our Great Barrier Reef badly needs. 

The broad scale clearing of trees is a double whammy for our Reef. Firstly, it causes soil erosion which ends up in rivers that flow into the Reef. This mud then ends up smothering corals, blocking their sunlight which they need to grow. It also smothers seagrass meadows, which are important feeding grounds for turtles and dugong.

Secondly, clearing trees releases carbon into our atmosphere, making global warming worse and putting further pressure on our Reef – the last thing it needs!

Our Reef urgently needs action, not more stressors.

Just this year our Great Barrier Reef experienced record-breaking sea temperatures that caused the worst coral bleaching event in recorded history. Only 7% of the Reef has been untouched. Scientists predict the Reef will be terminal in five years if global temperatures cannot be managed.

We’re running out of time. Our Reef is under threat and cannot wait.

In August the QLD Government tried to restore stronger laws on tree clearing but they needed the Liberal National Party’s support, which they didn’t get. So the bad old laws still exist. Tree clearing reform is a crucial way to help protect our Reef and fulfil our commitment the World Heritage Committee.

You can help by sending a message to the Queensland Liberal National Party Leader Tim Nicholls to support stronger tree clearing laws and protect our Great Barrier Reef.

The Great Barrier Reef needs support now more than ever.