Deforestation surges in Queensland ahead of crackdown on land clearing

WWF reports landholders 'panic clearing' under the new Labor government in anticipation of protections being restored

A surge in deforestation across Queensland has continued under the new Labor government, suggesting landholders are "panic clearing" before protections can be restored, according to conservation groups.

A report by WWF has identified 94 locations that make up a "map of shame" for tree clearing in the state, which has more than tripled to 278,000 hectares in the five years to 2013-14.