Hundreds of people took to the streets in a rally at Brisbane's Southbank.

The demonstrators marched to show their support for Mr Beattie's proposal to reduce tree clearing and to urge a quick resolution.

National director of the Wilderness Society Alec Marr said: "The time for clearing in Queensland is over. It's long past time this stopped".

The Premier got a rousing reception when he came out to address the crowd.

"Tree clearing is more important than politics, we want to fix this up," he said.

The Wilderness Society says the clearing controls would become the biggest environmental win in Australia's history if they were implemented.

© 2003 Australian Broadcasting Corporation