Sunshine Coast Environment Council (SCEC) is proud to be part of the Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance.

Queensland’s forests, wildlife and wild places are fundamental to healthy ecosystems, strong communities and a stable climate. Yet Queensland continues to have one of the lowest proportions of protected land of any Australian state. The Protect Beautiful Queensland alliance and its Forests for Everyone campaign is working to change that.

Protect Beautiful Queensland is a non-partisan, statewide alliance calling on governments to:

  • Double Queensland’s protected areas by 2030

  • Increase funding for park management, rangers and visitor infrastructure

  • Protect nature, culture and community access across forests, rivers, wetlands and coastlines

The campaign recognises that protected areas are essential not only for biodiversity, but for climate resilience, water security, cultural connection and community wellbeing, now and into the future.

Forests for Everyone

As part of this work, Forests for Everyone focuses on transitioning South East Queensland’s native State Forests (public lands that belong to all Queenslanders) to Protected Area estate.

The campaign calls for government to:

  • Permanently end native forest logging in SEQ

  • Protect forests through national parks and conservation areas

  • Work with Traditional Owners and local communities

  • Invest in rangers, facilities and safe public access

These forests provide habitat for threatened species, store carbon, protect waterways and offer places for walking, camping, mountain biking and quiet connection with nature — truly forests for everyone.

SCEC and the Forests for Everyone Campaign is advocating for the protection of several forests in the greater Sunshine Coast region including:

  • Beerburrum West State Forest – important habitat adjoining the Glass House Mountains, with significant conservation and recreation values

  • Peachester State Forest – core koala habitat and diverse native forest close to Sunshine Coast communities

  • Yabba State Forest – ecologically rich forest supporting threatened species and connectivity in the hinterland

  • Jimna, Squirrel Creek and Bellthorpe State Forests – part of a broader hinterland forest network vital for biodiversity, water catchments and climate resilience

Protecting these forests strengthens wildlife corridors, safeguards waterways and supports the outdoor lifestyle valued by Sunshine Coast communities.

Why This Matters for the Sunshine Coast

Protecting forests helps:

  • Support threatened wildlife and biodiversity

  • Store carbon and build climate resilience

  • Protect water catchments and downstream waterways

  • Provide accessible nature-based recreation and tourism opportunities

By supporting Protect Beautiful Queensland and Forests for Everyone, SCEC is working to ensure these public forests remain healthy, connected and protected for generations to come.