National Forum

Steve MacDonald

Steve is the manager of the small team of people directly responsible for planning and advocating the protection of regional open space throughout Australia's fastest growing metropolitan area.

Steve moved to Queensland in 1995 (along with 50 000 other newcomers). Prior to moving to Queensland, he practised as a Surveyor, Valuer and Land Manager with the New South Wales Public Service. His most memorable jobs have been as Chair of the Cape Byron Headland Reserve Trust (located on Australia's most easterly point) and developing a new regional park from a 6 400 hectare cattle property purchased in 1996.

The building blocks of the South East Queensland (SEQ) Regional Landscape Strategy have been developed under his direction. The decision of the government to make the program State-wide is his next challenge.

Steve has worked with and fostered community participation in the management of public lands since 1986. With this experience, he is confident that the Queensland Trust for Nature, and the use of statutory covenants, will be important tools in the protection of Queensland's open space and natural environment.