Media Releases - 04 August 2026

One-year dip cannot hide Queensland’s ongoing deforestation crisis

The latest findings (2024) from the Queensland government’s Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS), show a decrease in deforestation and land clearing in the latest reporting year - but highlight ongoing environmental destruction of forest and bushland by pasture expansion. 

The figures also highlight the ongoing razing of forest and bushland in Great Barrier Reef catchments, with clearing in Reef catchments accounting for almost half (43%) of all deforestation and land clearing in the state. 

The ongoing flattening of Queensland forest and bushland destroys the habitat of iconic endangered species - including the greater glider, red goshawk, and koala. Deforestation in Reef catchments washes destructive sediment into the Great Barrier Reef and accelerates climate change. 

Key report takeaways: 

  • Ongoing habitat loss, despite reduction compared to previous year: 274,616  hectares (equivalent to 274,616 rugby fields) of Queensland's native vegetation was cleared. This destruction represents an area almost 8 times greater than the total forest cleared by palm oil industries in Indonesia over the same timeframe.
  • Brigalow bioregions under attack: The Brigalow Belt bioregion continues to cop the brunt of the razing with more than half of all destruction taking place in the Brigalow Belt (53% or 145,844ha).
  • Critical ecosystems devastated: Land clearing within high-stakes, endangered regional ecosystems experienced a sharp 21% increase.
  • Driven by agricultural expansion: The primary catalyst for this clearing was pasture development, accounting for 86% of the total cleared land. The next two largest contributors were forestry at 5% and mining at 3%.
  • Reef catchments desecrated: A huge portion of land clearing (43%) occurred directly within Great Barrier Reef catchments, threatening the fragile marine ecosystem with toxic muddy runoff.

Long-term independent analysis by the Wilderness Society confirms that the expansion of cattle pastures is the single largest driver of tree clearing across Queensland.

Emily Dickson, Queensland Campaigns Manager for the Wilderness Society said:

“The latest SLATS figures show a welcome reduction in Queensland’s land clearing rates, and that progress should be acknowledged. But a 17% decline is not the same as solving the deforestation crisis.

“Queensland remains Australia’s deforestation hotspot - with more bulldozing than all other states combined. Every year, hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests and bushland continue to be impacted, including in Great Barrier Reef catchments where clearing contributes to sediment and pollution pressures on one of the world’s most iconic ecosystems.

“The Brigalow Belt contains a vital carbon sink and biodiversity stronghold. Today, this rich expanse of woodlands and shrublands stands as the tragic face of Australia’s deforestation crisis - holding the grim status of Queensland's most bulldozed bioregion. Safeguarding what remains is critical to preserving both an irreplaceable sanctuary for threatened species and a powerful natural shield against climate change.

“Queenslanders want a future where food production and nature protection can coexist. That means setting a clear plan to end forest and bushland destruction.”

The Wilderness Society is calling for strong National Environmental Standards that close loopholes driving habitat loss, proper funding for the new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to prevent nature destruction before it happens, and stronger enforcement of Queensland’s Vegetation Management Act 1999 to protect high conservation value forests and bushland.

We are also calling for a national roadmap to end deforestation, including better monitoring, early detection of clearing, and traceability systems to ensure agricultural products meet sustainability standards. Last year, we welcomed Coles and Woolworths’ no-deforestation commitments, and we will be watching closely to ensure they translate those promises into meaningful action.”.

ENDS

Notes: