I support the motion to revoke the setting apart and declaration of land as state forest under section 26(2) of the Forestry Act 1959. This proposal involves the revocation of 114.6 hectares from part of Beerwah State Forest-SF561-located directly south of Australia Zoo. The area proposed for revocation is exotic pine plantation forest with little conservation value. It should be noted that native title over this land has been extinguished.

This revocation will finalise a longstanding agreement to enable the expansion project planned by Australia Zoo to proceed. The project has significant benefits to the state and has the support of all relevant state government agencies. Australia Zoo has reached an agreement with Forest Plantations Queensland and in exchange for the land proposed to be revoked from the state forest it will transfer to the state a larger piece of land adjacent to Peachester State Forest-SF313-for plantation purposes. The Peachester area was formerly a private pine plantation and is an ideal replacement for the Beerwah land. Australia Zoo is a major employer in the locality and the plans for an open-range zoo safari experience displaying famous landscapes and wildlife widely recognised all over the world will only add to the employment opportunities during the planning, construction and operating phases of the project.

As is always the case with proposals such as these, community consultation plays an important part in ensuring that all relevant issues are identified and addressed appropriately. Over the years I have noticed that consultation is one thing that the zoo does very well, both within the community and across government agencies. I can advise that the Department of Environment and Resource Management, Forestry Plantations Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council have all responded favourably in progressing the revocation expansion processes.

Several members opposite have raised issues relating to access and construction as the zoo expands. It should be noted that the zoo has experienced rapid expansion over the past 10 years. It has always worked in very closely with government agencies. In fact, when Peter Beattie was Premier he allowed a task force to be established-the Australia Zoo task force-of which I was a member, as were a large number of government departments, the then relevant Sunshine Coast council, which was the Caloundra council, and a variety of other members of the community. To date, the planning of all the phases of construction has been significant. There has been much consultation with the local residents and with the wider conservation community. I do not expect that there will ever be any problems in the future as Australia Zoo expands way beyond what it is now. I wish Australia Zoo all the luck with that, because it is a fabulous facility and it will only go from strength to strength.

I cannot speak highly enough of the dedication of the zoo staff for the facility, the community and the wider conservation movement. Steve and Terri, Frank Muscillo, Wes Mannion and the entire Australia Zoo family have worked very hard over many years to establish Australia Zoo and all of its attractions. Many people do not realise the large amount of conservation work that is done by the zoo, both in Queensland and around the globe. Australia Zoo is not just about business, it is not just about jobs or Sunshine Coast tourism; it is about ensuring that people everywhere learn to love the animals and that they do their bit to help conservation and the environment. As they always say, if you save one species you can save the world. I hope that everyone gets behind this particular proposal. I am glad that the state government is able to help facilitate the sustained growth of this world renowned facility. I commend the revocation to the House.