31/03/2005 - Australian
Government funding of $2.7 million, and extensive
community consultation will go a long way
to ensuring Cape York's unique attributes
and natural and cultural assets continue to
be protected and looked after for many years
to come.
The priority investment from the Natural
Heritage Trust, and the appointment of Mary
Woods to conduct community consultations around
Cape York before the end of June was announced
today by Australian Ministers for the Environment
and Heritage, Ian Campbell, and Fisheries
and Forestry and Conservation, Ian Macdonald,
and Queensland Ministers for Natural Resources,
Stephen Robertson, and Environment, Desley
Boyle.
Senator Campbell said that in the vast and
sparsely populated Cape York Peninsula it
was critical to negotiate a targeted package
of activities for each area and community.
"Ms Woods will draw on her wealth of
experience in rural and agricultural areas
and Landcare organisations, as she consults
with communities and stakeholders to further
refine the Cape York Natural Resource Management
Plan," Senator Campbell said.
"The $2.7 million of funding will help
develop local people's capacity, skills and
knowledge by supporting collaborative partnerships
between all stakeholders.
"This will contribute to supporting
priority on-ground works across the region
including fire, weed and feral animal management.
"The fire project will pilot local Indigenous
fire management training through a regional
training network and carry out planned pre-season
burning according to best fire management
practices. Sub regional and property level
fire management plans will also be developed
through this investment.
"This project uses satellite information
and contributes to the North Australian Fire
project website which is accessed by many
pastoralists during the fire season,"
he said.
Senator Macdonald said weed and feral animal
management received a high level of community
support and involvement.
"These funds will help complete pest
management plans for all local government
shire councils, Aboriginal freehold areas
and pastoral properties on Cape York Peninsula
and ensure that weeds and feral animal mapping
is completed, updated and maintained.
"Annual pest surveys will be conducted
and training courses and information-exchange
forums will be held. Most importantly, infestations
of new weed or feral animal species will be
identified promptly and eradicated" Senator
Macdonald said.
Mr Robertson said the funds would also help
halt and reverse the decline in water quality
entering the Great Barrier Reef through an
analysis of water quality data.
"A water quality sampling program will
deliver comprehensive data that will be published
with the results of mapping ground and surface
water resources of Cape York Peninsula,"
he said.
Ms Boyle added the funding would enhance on-
ground protection of Queensland's natural
heritage by dealing with many of the factors
that threaten Cape York Peninsula's outstanding
biodiversity and natural values.
"In particular, the funding will support
and enhance Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Service's fire and pest management programs,
by providing increased resources for pig control
in the region."
Ms Boyle said that the widely dispersed populations
on Cape York Peninsula would have access to
appropriate incentives, information and advice
through co-ordinated delivery of the investment.
"It will be important that good governance
arrangements are put in place to coordinate
and implement negotiated on-ground outcomes
for planning and management of the Cape York
Peninsula's outstanding natural and cultural
values," she said.
Mary Woods has represented both the Queensland
Murray-Darling Committee Inc as Chairman,
and Acting Chairman, and Vice-Chairman, for
the Border Rivers Catchment Management Association.
She received the Queensland Government Regional
Achiever of the year Award in 2003, and has
also been awarded the Order of Australia Medal
(OAM) for services to conservation and the
environment (Landcare) - Australia Day, 2001.
