General News
22 June, 2025
Rejuvenating cleared land
A 15-year, 30ha restoration project in the Daintree has been given a $1.38 million boost by the Queensland Government.
The Tranquillity Upper Daintree Restoration Project is a collaboration between the government and Rainforest Rescue.
The project aims to restore about 30ha of historically cleared land in the World Heritage Upper Daintree.
The rainforest species planted for the project will be collected from the Rainforest Rescue portfolio of properties in the Daintree and propagated at their Cow Bay nursery. The plantings will restore ecosystems and create new habitat for wildlife while sequestering carbon and delivering environmental co-benefits.
Rainforest Rescue will partner with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation to deliver training and employment opportunities that will support their organisational plans and restoration goals.
Rainforest Rescue chief executive officer Branden Barber said the Queensland Government’s ‘Land Restoration Fund’ commitment was “a timely step in the right direction for nature”.
“The LRF commitment to the Tranquillity Upper Daintree Restoration Project has a long list of positives that address global climate and biodiversity issues at a local level,” he said.
“It’s a way to support regional employment, develop the Wet Tropics restoration economy, assist carbon sequestration, increase the climate resilience of the Daintree River catchment, and of course, give native wildlife a fighting chance.
“Rainforest Rescue will build on its existing partnership with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation, co-creating environmental certainty in a place where sustainable land use is currently in the spotlight.
“Restoring this cleared land to tropical rainforest is a long journey that we are proud to undertake together – growing, planting and nurturing native trees until nature flourishes once again.
“As Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell points out, the LRF is a way for farmers and landholders to reconsider the value of natural assets.
“Nature positive initiatives are critical to the future of our environment – and humanity – which creates a win-win solution.”
Mr Powell said the newly contracted projects would provide a range of environmental and economic benefits.
“The Land Restoration Fund is one of a suite of government programs providing financial rewards to farmers and landholders who sustainably manage their natural assets,” he said.
“Land Restoration Fund projects also support training opportunities and jobs for local communities, such as plant operators, project managers, scientists and ecologists, and roles on Country for Indigenous rangers.
“With the projects running over many years – ranging from five to 16 years – they are set to have a long-term positive impact on communities.
“Not only will these projects create carbon credits, support landholders to be environmental stewards, but they will also benefit threatened species and ecosystems and improve habitat connectivity.”
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