New home a perfect fit

It was a far cry from the home office set up in Atherton almost 12 years ago.

The official opening of the new premises for Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM) Ltd in Atherton marked another chapter in the organisation’s history.

“We’ve come a long way over the years,” Interim CEO Bob Frazer said. “When I first set up the organisation it was just me, and it ran out of an office in my home.

“We have grown to a staff of 18, have another office in Cooktown and have developed a good reputation in the Natural Resource Management sector.”

The opening included a walk-through of the 420msq building and a welcome lunch for visitors, staff and the Mayor, Rod Marti.

“We have built a strong relationship with the local Council and the Mayor, and with people in the community both here and across Cape York. 

“This new home is fitting testament to our continued dedication to working with, and for, land managers on Cape York Peninsula.”  

Cape York NRM recently moved from its long-term offices at the Atherton CSIRO site after it was closed by the LNP Federal Government.  

The organisation works to help land managers care for the natural environment while ensuring their use of the region’s natural resources is sustainably managed for generations to come. 

“The dire findings of the recent national State of the Environment Report has underlined the importance of organisations like ours to provide on-the-ground projects to improve the  waterways, ecosystems and biodiversity across the region,” Bob said.

“Over the years we have invested many, many millions of dollars, through partnerships and with Government assistance, into projects on the Cape to improve the environment.”

Cape York NRM’s dedicated team of experts work with land and sea managers, Traditional Owners, growers, graziers and ranger groups on projects that serve to:

• enhance Cape York's wetlands and soils and offer protection to the waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria and the northern Great Barrier Reef; 
• protect threatened plant and animal species; 
• improve fire management on the Cape; and 
• build Traditional Owner land management capacity.

The new premises include 18 rooms and a car park for 12, and can be located at 22C Evans Street, Atherton.