The South-east Cape York Reef Community Action Plan (CAP) is the product of seven workshops held in Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal, at which Traditional Owners, community members and young marine enthusiasts shared their aspirations for local actions to benefit the Reef, marine and coastal environments.
The Plan highlights thirteen strategies, prioritised and designed by the workshop participants, aimed at delivering meaningful benefits to local catchments, rivers, beaches, important species and the Great Barrier Reef.
The strategies cover a range of topics including: reducing visitor impacts at tourist hot spots, controlling problematic weeds, cleaning up beaches, monitoring and improving coral reefs, attaining heritage listing for culturally significant areas, and implementing best management practices for roads and roadsides.
Cape York NRM Project Officer Harry James, who facilitated the workshops, said he is thrilled with the results.
“It was fantastic having such strong community input into this project. I think everyone involved really valued having an opportunity to put forward ideas for local action on issues that are important to them.
“I’m looking forward to seeing strategies funded and implemented for the benefit of the Reef, our marine environment, and our community”.
Community groups who were involved in developing the CAP are now eligible to apply for grants to implement these strategies and start translating plans into action. There are two funding streams available, with up to $75,000 available for community projects and $75,000 available for Traditional Owner-led projects.
For more information, contact Harry at harry.james@capeyorknrm.com.au
The South-east Cape York Reef Community Action Plan is funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, and delivered by Cape York NRM with support from South Cape York Catchments.
