By Jim O’Toole
A fed-up Lower Cape York Peninsula landowner has had a huge win in the Supreme Court against the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service preventing the department from seizing and destroying his cattle which may have strayed onto the vast Lakefield national park.
Besieged cattle producers on the Peninsula who adjoin national parks received a seize and destroy notice by email from the QPWS stating their stock would be destroyed if not removed within a very narrow time period.
Olive Vale Pastoral Pty Ltd took on the department and got an unequivocal decision on November 29 which ruled the “Seizure Notice issued by the QPWS on 11 September, 2024 is invalid and of no effect.”
The court quashed the notice and set it aside awarding the applicant costs.
The significance of this Judicial Review now throws into doubt the validity of seizure notices in every other Australian jurisdiction which could give some relief to thousands of property owners who adjoin national parks or state-owned reserves.
The QPWS has already admitted to aerial shooting more than 5000 valuable cattle over the past few years, thumbing their UN-shaped noses at primary producers.
Some producers say the number is much higher.
The previous Labor government adopted the UN now WEF Agenda 21/30 sustainability agenda to reduce and eventually remove all cattle grazing on the vast Cape York Peninsula to make way for their nomination of the Peninsula to the Paris-based UNESCO for World Heritage.
This court decision comes after more pressure on the new Liberal state government from Katters Australian Party MP Shane Knuth who questioned the Premier in Parliament on Monday about stopping the now unlawful seizure and shooting of cattle not owned by the department.
Knuth’s office had received numerous petitions demanding the seizure and destruction of stock cease forthwith and that the QPWS fence the boundaries of their many parks on Cape York.
The Premier assured Knuth the shooting would cease but omitted to say the Supreme Court had stopped it in any case. Perhaps he was unaware of this damning court decision at the time.
The Notice received by cattle producers adjoining Cape York national parks:
“The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation (DETSI) through the
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS&P), are continuing the
implementation of cattle removal from key national park estates within Cape York.
Following the livestock seizure implemented on 15th September and at the conclusion of the
final claim & muster period ending 6th October 2024, QPWS&P will now commence lethal
control activities (humane destruction) of remaining feral cleanskin cattle on national park
estate. This will also include cattle that have had ownership relinquished to the State of
Queensland (the Department) – if applicable.
Please note that branded stock & those with young at foot (progeny) as well as stock
that appear to be of high market value will not be targeted during the operation. The
accompanying map highlights the area that will be targeted.
The action of lethal control (humane destruction) is in line with section 154K (4) and 154L (2) of the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and continues the Departments commitment into the
removal of cattle from national park estates. This action is supported by the Departments
joint management partners.
Lethal control activities are forecast to begin on the date below:
- Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) – 9 to 12 December 2024
If you have queries in relation to cattle management or the humane destruction of feral
cleanskin cattle, please contact Senior Ranger – Cattle Management, Theo Davis on 0428
573 902