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Take time to prepare your home and property this coming bushfire season. Photo sourced: Shutterstock
Contributed with thanks by Wayde Chiesa MP, Member for Hinchinbrook
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa has welcomed another record year of hazard reduction burning across Queensland’s parks and protected areas as communities prepare for the 2026 bushfire risk period.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service rangers treated a record 981,081 hectares through 546 planned burns during 2025–26, surpassing the previous record set one year earlier.
Mr Chiesa said well-managed national parks and State forests were particularly important for Hinchinbrook, including areas surrounding Paluma Range National Park, Hinchinbrook Island, Goold Island, and Cardwell State Forest.
“Many communities across Hinchinbrook live alongside or near national parks, State forests and other areas of dense vegetation,” Mr Chiesa said.
“Reducing fuel loads and improving the condition of our protected areas helps strengthen bushfire preparedness and makes these areas better neighbours to nearby homes, farms and businesses.
“Hazard reduction burning is important work. It supports healthier landscapes while helping reduce the risk bushfires pose to our surrounding communities and properties.
“This record result demonstrates the Crisafulli Government is doing the work required before bushfire season started and delivering on our commitment to provide better-managed national parks.”
The record program was delivered as part of the State Government’s More Rangers, Better Neighbours commitment.
It follows the Government’s decision to retain 40 specialist fire ranger positions that had been left unfunded by the former Government, ensuring Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has the frontline capability needed to prepare and manage protected areas.
“Retaining these specialist rangers means Queensland has experienced people on the ground undertaking planned burns and helping communities prepare for the bushfire season,” Mr Chiesa said.
“Their work is particularly valuable in regional electorates such as Hinchinbrook, where our communities, agricultural properties and visitor destinations are closely connected to the natural environment.
“I thank our rangers and emergency-service personnel for the work they do to protect our communities.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service will continue undertaking planned burns in national parks and State forests when conditions allow.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Park Alerts for information about planned burns and local park conditions before travelling.
More information about how QPWS manages fire in parks and forests is available on the DETSI website: parks.qld.gov.au/management/programs/fire-management
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