Conserved areas (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures) in Queensland
Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are areas outside of protected areas that provide effective, long-term, in-situ biodiversity conservation.
In Australia, OECMs are also referred to as ‘conserved areas’.
Conserved areas are different from protected areas. A key distinction is that biodiversity conservation does not need to be the primary management objective for a conserved area. Rather, biodiversity conservation may be a secondary management objective, or even an ancillary outcome of the way an area is managed; for example, water catchment areas that provide important habitat for threatened species.
Conserved area recognition may be considered for areas where formal protected area designation is not possible, appropriate or supported.
Australia’s conserved area network
In 2024, the Australian Government released the National Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) Framework to enable the recognition of terrestrial conserved areas in Australia. This framework only applies to land and inland waters. It does not apply to marine areas at present.
Conserved areas will contribute towards Australia’s national target of protecting and conserving 30 per cent of land, including inland waters, by 2030.
Conserved areas will also contribute towards Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This target aims to protect and conserve 30 per cent of terrestrial and 30 per cent of marine areas by 2030, with an emphasis on ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and conserved areas.
Sites with conserved area potential
Sites that may be recognised as conserved areas include, but are not limited to:
- privately-owned land
- state land
- local government reserves
- travelling stock routes
- water catchment areas
- natural areas managed by universities for research
- environmental offset sites
Sites without conserved area potential
Examples of areas that are not eligible for conserved area recognition include protected areas, forests managed exclusively for timber supply, and agricultural grasslands grazed too intensively to support native grasslands.
Why consider conserved area recognition?
There are several reasons a landholder may consider nominating their property for conserved area recognition. Conserved areas provide landholders with the opportunity to:
- achieve international recognition for their conservation efforts, whilst simultaneously contributing to national and global biodiversity targets, without altering their existing land management practices
- safeguard important biodiversity values, resulting in benefits for ecosystem services. For example, maintaining natural vegetation in a water catchment will improve water quality.
- continue with existing activities on their property, provided they do not impede conservation outcomes.
- build partnerships with other conservation-focused entities for collaborative land management and stewardship
- cultivate ecosystems that are more resilient in the face of challenges like climate change and invasive species
- make significant contributions to the preservation of wildlife by protecting crucial habitats on their land
- seek funding opportunities under the Nature Repair Market once the scheme becomes operational
- incorporate an additional safeguard on their land if there are barriers preventing the formal protection of the site, such as the inability to register a conservation covenant on the property's title.
The National OECMs Framework includes a Site Assessment Tool, which is used to assess areas for their eligibility for conserved area recognition.
Landholders interested in pursuing conserved area recognition may complete the Site Assessment Tool and submit it to the department for consideration by emailing oecms@detsi.qld.gov.au. The department will review the completed assessment and advise the landholder of the outcome once complete.
If you have any questions or require further information regarding the process for conserved area recognition, please email the department at oecms@detsi.qld.gov.au.
Contact: oecms@detsi.qld.gov.au
Weranga Scarps conserved area
In July 2025, Weranga Scarps was recognised as Australia's first conserved area. This 48-hectare property in the Western Downs region is owned and managed by the Wildlife Land Fund Limited (WLFL), a not-for-profit public company. WLFL was established by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland in 2001 to acquire and manage small land parcels, protecting wildlife and its habitat.
Weranga Scarps will be dedicated entirely to the conservation of Queensland's precious native wildlife.
About Weranga Scarps
The property was recognised as a conserved area for its significant biodiversity values, including highly intact eucalypt and cypress woodland ecosystems. These areas provide habitat for several threatened species, including the yakka skink, koala, and glossy black-cockatoo. The site is also home to 127 bird species, including the speckled warbler, hooded robin, honeyeaters, Pacific baza, and various raptors. Mammals like the yellow-footed antechinus, stripe-faced dunnart, sugar glider, and inland brushtail possum also thrive within the area.
As a conserved area, the property contributes towards Australia’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.