Fixing gullies and gaining skills on Normanby

More than $1.3 million has been awarded to Cape York Natural Resource Management to coordinate gully erosion remediation on Normanby and Melsonby Stations, and provide skills development and job opportunities for First Nations people.

The funding, announced yesterday by the State Government's Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon, comes under the Reef Assist 2.0 program which focuses on creating job opportunities and improving water quality by reducing sediment and nutrient loads in runoff to the Great Barrier Reef.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to extend the work we have been doing with the Normanby Station crew,” Cape York NRM’s Sustainable Industries and Water Quality Manager Michael Goddard said.

“Gully erosion remediation has proved to be a great success in terms of reducing the amount of sediment that runs into the Reef, and we have a proven track record in assisting Indigenous trainees obtain their heavy machinery tickets and increase land management knowledge.”

The Cape York Gully Remediation and Creation of Indigenous Employment Pathways Project will run over two years with delivery of training carried out on–country in partnership with the Normanby Aboriginal Corporation, MAC Training Solutions, Neilly Group Engineering and R N L Contracting.

“Erosion sites on Normanby and Melsonby Station will be remediated during training events and project participants can gain valuable Level 1 Machine Operator accreditation,” Michael said.

The gully work will involve headcut stabilisation, through construction of rock chutes and diversion banks. This will be followed by revegetation of the sites' native grasses.

“As well as machinery training on site, we will also be providing support for participants to create resumes and cover letters for job applications, and incorporating cultural heritage development through Indigenous mentoring and cultural land management practices, such as cultural burning.”

The project is funded under the Queensland Government’s $33.5 million Reef Assist 2.0 Program, through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.

To review the Minister’s statement visit this link https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96621