Sports Minister Mick de Brenni has come under fire from conservationists and Brisbane City Council over plans to upgrade the ranges at the Belmont Shooting Complex, which involve clearing three hectares of bushland that contains koalas.

Public submissions were due on March 12.

Mr de Brenni can use his ministerial discretion to clear the extra bushland because the upgrade was a Commonwealth Games venue.

Conservationists say the plan involves clearing koala habitat, while the state government argues few koalas are found on the site.

Mr de Brenni, who is also the Minister for Housing and Public Works and Digital Technology, told reporters he was seeking information from all sides of the dispute, after a public outcry.

"More consultation is always better than less, so we have extended the closing date for submissions on the proposed upgrade to Belmont Shooting Complex," he said.

"We are continuing to work with key stakeholders, including the Bulimba Creek Catchment Co-ordinating Committee, so that we have accurate information at hand and can make a decision that’s in the best interests of all Queenslanders."

The Bulimba Creek Catchment Co-ordinating Committee has finalised its submission and argues that no further bushland needs to be cleared.

"This parcel of land is the vital northern section of the Koala Coast Corridor and the state government should develop a biodiversity protection and enhancement plan to better define and strengthen its biodiversity protection," their submission argues.

"The forested portion of the parcel not in use for sporting activities should be declared a nature
refuge under the Nature Conservation Act.

"The consultation on biodiversity issues has been wholly inadequate and the biodiversity
assessments conducted have been flawed, cursory and inadequate.

"We urge the minister to reject this designation in its current form. If the minister believes it is essential infrastructure the proposal should be re-scoped and rewritten to comply to ensure all relevant state and regional interests are properly addressed and that adequate consultation, with stakeholders, including conservation organisations, is undertaken during its preparation."

Mr de Brenni said conservation groups did not appreciate the Belmont Shooting Complex was a maturing international sports venue.

"The Belmont Shooting Complex is the only one in Australia capable of hosting all disciplines within a single facility," he said.

"This provides a unique ability to attract and host international-level events. That’s why a temporary range was created for the Commonwealth Games.

"I’m sure Queenslanders expect me to look at every option to maximise the value of that $17.5 million investment, especially if we are looking to host an Olympic Games in 2032."

He said that if construction of a permanent clay target range went ahead, the government would require environmental best-practice in terms of managing lead contamination and any impact on flora and fauna.

"I’m told that independent surveys – at night and during the day – found little evidence of any koala population and investigations are now under way to avoid the loss of a very small pocket of vegetation."

Mr de Brenni said if trees were removed they would be replaced by trees elsewhere on the site.

"Any trees that are removed, they will be more than offset by replanting elsewhere on-site, within the koala corridor. In fact, up to 13 hectares has been already been identified for new and improved wildlife habitat."