Queensland beekeepers who were meant to shift away from national parks by 2024 have had their stays extended until 2044 due to bushfires and drought. 

1088 professional apiary sites located within 49 Queensland national parks will now be able to extend their stays as Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said the decision had to be made quickly as few alternative sites had been found. 

Queensland Beekeepers’ Association state secretary Jo Martin says urgent change is needed and cites climate change  and increasing isolated rainfall as “ impacting the capacity of our beekeeping industry.