Adaptive and implemented Regional NRM, community, country and agricultural plans

Related Content

• NRM Investment Programs

  

  Natural Resource Management Investment Program 2017-2018

  The State has allocated $80 million to the regional natural resource management investment program over five years from 2013 to 2018, including $30 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef. The majority of the funding is being provided to support strategic projects delivered through Queensland's regional natural resource management (NRM) bodies. These organisations provide an important link between governments and communities. They also work collaboratively with volunteer and grass-roots organisations (e.g. Landcare), rural industry groups and landholders.

  

  Regional Land Partnerships

  The aim of Regional Land Partnerships is "to protect, conserve, and provide for the productive use of Australia's water, soil, plants and animals and the ecosystems in which they live and interact, in partnership with governments, industry and communities. Regional Land Partnerships is a major component of the second phase of the National Landcare Program. The investment for 2018-2023 will fund biodiversity projects focused on protecting rainforest, woodlands and coastal vine thickets as well as cassowaries and the golden shouldered parrot.

  

  Regional Extension Coordination collaborative agreement

  Regional Extension Coordination

  

  Natural Resources Investment Program 2018-2022

  Queensland is investing more than $61 million between 2018 and 2022 to ensure the state’s natural land and water resources are sustainably managed. This includes dedicated funds for Great Barrier Reef catchments. The Natural Resources Investment Program funding acknowledges the important role that the natural resource management bodies and the community play in repairing and improving Queensland’s unique assets for future generations.
  

• Newsletter Articles

  

  #Weather

  Cape York NRM have installed the last of three internet – enabled weather stations in Lakeland in order to provide the local producers with more reliable weather information to help them make important decisions around nutrient and water use.

  Regional Extension Coordinator Oliver McConnachie, who is leading the initiative, said gathering weather information accurately at the local level and integrating it with Bureau of Meteorology data will lead to more reliable weather predictions.

  

  Special meeting to vote on a new constitution

  Cape York NRM members will vote on a proposed new constitution at a special general meeting in August.

  

  How to find Cape York plans — Who Plans Here

  Words Ben Lister and Robyn May

  Who Plans Here is a Cape York NRM tool accessible on our website. The tool enables users to locate plans that are in place across the region. Plans are updated regularly, with over 150 plans currently available.

  Plans that Cape York NRM has permission to share can be located by searching a selected area on the site’s Cape York map—plans within that selected area will be displayed. Users will then have the option to download, or to contact the plan owner for access.

  

  2021 Cape York calendar

  2020 saw Cape York NRM reach ten years of supporting people on the Cape.

  To celebrate, we invited people of Cape York to send us photos they felt illustrated something special to them.

  We were thrilled at the response! 50 amazing photos were submitted.

  Cape York NRM Chair Emma Jackson said the initiative was designed to showcase the close relationship between people and country on the Cape, and to help raise awareness of the environmental, social and cultural values of our region.

  

  Coordinated burn in southern Cape

  Words and photo Jessie Price-Decle

  Late season fires can destroy habitat, threaten property and livestock, and scorch groundcover leaving country vulnerable to erosion. Fighting fires is also a significant drain on people’s time and resources.

  

  Horticultural practice change

  STORY MICHAEL GODDARD | MAPS TONY CROWLEY
  
  Lakeland horticulture producers are improving water quality that exits their farms by understanding the variation in soil composition, and continuing to improve farm management practices.

  On 17 May this year, Cape York NRM held its agriculture meeting with Lakeland producers. Land managers from six properties attended the event to listen to a presentation about the results of recent soil mapping on their properties, plus a presentation on catchment modelling.

  

  Rangers working with kids to fence out pigs on Normanby Station

  Curly and Lily Lagoons look great twelve months after exclusion fencing was put in place

  

  Healthy farms healthy country on Cape York

  Cape York NRM’s Healthy Farming Futures project is working closely with Cape York’s pastoralists to help their businesses become more sustainable.

  Co-led by Cape York NRM’s Regional Agriculture Land Facilitator Andrew Hartwig, the project sees graziers in western flowing catchments in Central Cape York increase the amount of ground cover on their properties to help reduce erosion, sediment run-off and improve water quality in the Gulf.

  It also provides a pathway towards business sustainability.

  

  Cape York Healthy Country Plan 2021–2030

  The Cape York Healthy Country Plan 2021-2030 is the regional natural resource management plan for Cape York.

  

  Communications and Engagement Workshop for Extension Officers

  A Communications and Engagement Workshop for Extension Officers took place in Mareeba on 23 May.

  Attended by a mix of Cape York NRM and Department of Agriculture staff and contractors, the full-day workshop covered body language, empathy, and managing emotions in ourselves and others.

  

  Reef Community Action Plan Released

  Strategies and prioritisation designed to deliver meaningful benefits to local catchments, rivers, beaches, important species, and the Great Barrier Reef.

  

  Pig trapping Peer to Peer

  Words Juliana Foxlee | Photo provided

  A Cape York NRM project is asking farmers what changes should be made on their properties to support them and their businesses, and funding a number of their suggestions.

  Regional Extension Coordinator Oliver McConnachie explains:

  ‘I’m running a project to help farmers and land managers learn from each other through regular get-togethers, meetings and workshops.

  

  Bloom and Prosper 2020

  Laughter, friendship and even a few tears—Northern Gulf’s women’s events for 2020 kicked off in September with events in Mount Carbine and Walkamin, and concluded in Mount Surprise.

  This year’s event, Bloom and Prosper, focussed on disaster preparedness and personal development, with participants gaining skills and knowledge to support their families and communities with disaster resilience.

  

  Native grasses initiative for the Mitchell River catchment

  Words Robyn May | Photo Cape York NRM

  Cape York land managers’ efforts to reduce the loss of valuable top soil, and increase grazing productivity, are being supported by a suite of native grass identification tools.

  

  Soils and Weeds Solutions Field Day

  Cape York NRM hosted a Soils and Weed Solutions Field Day in Cooktown on 29 February.

  The hands-on event, aimed at growers and graziers, explored the latest thinking on sustainable solutions to the ongoing challenge of weed and soil management.

  The event brought together members of two Cape York agriculture and grazing networks—the Endeavour and Normanby Mixed Farming and Grazing communities.

  

  The business of beef on Cape York

  Beefing up your business was the focus of seven business workshops for graziers.

  

  Normanby Station feral cattle muster

  The Normanby Rangers mustered feral cattle on Normanby Station earlier this year as part of their Reef Trust IV Gully project.

  

  Cape York Healthy Country Plan

  This is a plan about keeping Cape York healthy for future generations. Why does it matter?

  

  Springvale Station sediment solution

  Words and photos Juliana Foxlee

  Springvale Station Nature Refuge is located 40km south west of Cooktown. Once a cattle station, the culturally – important property is now a refuge for a diverse range of vulnerable flora and fauna.

  The Palaszczuk government purchased Springvale Station in 2016 in a bid to reduce sediment flowing from the degraded paddocks into the Normanby River.

  The Queensland government is now investing in a new project which will support water quality outcomes and *Bama livelihoods.

  

  Gully transformation at Beefwood Park

  The day’s task is to push a lot of dirt around. The end result, however, will be a complete transformation of the landscape.

  At Beefwood Park, a 102-hectare property 20 kilometres west of Lakeland, Cape York NRM has supported the land manager’s challenge of turning an eroding mass of gullies into a productive landscape.

  Why? To restore the country to a healthy condition, to further the owner’s land management skills, and to keep the soil where it is supposed to be—on the land and not muddying up waterways.

  

  Better Soils, Better Water

  Words Sandra Lloyd

  The Cape York landscape has ancient and fragile soils which require careful management to ensure the long-term health of the land and connecting waters of Cape York.

  Lakeland horticulture producers recognise this and are improving farm management practices to help improve their soils, reduce runoff and improve the quality of water draining off their properties.

  

  Speaking up about mental health

  Cape York NRM recognises the challenges and complexities of living in remote Australia.

  We are all one community and need to support each other, through the good times and the hard times.

  With this in mind, we are sharing mental health messages across our platforms and want to hear your stories and suggestions on how to reach out, or reach in, when times are tough.

  Please send through your stories to media@capeyorknrm.com.au and let us know if you would prefer us not to use your name.

  

  GRASS plans for 10 Cape York properties

  It’s been an eventful month of property visits as part of the Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) program.

  

  2019 Cape York Indigenous Fire Workshop

  Words and photo Robyn May

  ‘Manage landscape and all species benefit’ was just one of the many positive comments made during the feedback session following the 2019 Cape York Indigenous Fire Workshop.

  This year’s workshop was held in July at Mary Valley and coincided with the school holidays, so lots
  of kids were able to attend and learn an array of traditional fire and land management techniques while spending time on Country. This is critical as these children are the land and sea managers of the future.

  

  Update from the Directors

  In September, your Board met for its first face-to-face meeting for 2020. Although we have had the phone and video to connect us for previous meetings, coming together in person was great. One of the strengths of how the Board was designed from its inception was to ensure it captures the knowledge and skill from various geographical areas of the Cape, and the sectors in which we work, live and breathe.

  

  Pest Animal and weed management survey

  The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) is conducting a survey on pest animal and weed management. They are seeking assistance from owners/managers of agricultural properties to provide vital information about pest animal and weed management in Australia. 

  You are invited to complete the survey by 15 July 2019.

  

  Cape York NRM joins call for $4b land management and conservation package

  Cape York NRM has joined over 70 natural resource management, farming and conservation organisations in a call for a $4 billion stimulus package for the land management and conservation sector.

  

  CEO's welcome to 'Healthy Country'

  Welcome to the latest edition of the Healthy Country Newsletter. In this edition we continue to highlight some of the projects being supported by Cape York NRM and our partners and hopefully this provides some positive news in these trying times.

  

  Welcome to the Cape York Healthy Country Newsletter

  This edition of the Healthy Country newsletter reflects the huge amount of work going on across the Cape now that we are well and truly into the ‘dry’ season.

  

  Connecting the farmer and farm services dots

  Words Juliana Foxlee | Photo Robyn May

  Cape York NRM and Terrain NRM are working together to help farmers learn from each other and bring greater coordination to personal farming support services, also known as extension services.

  Known as the Enhanced Extension Coordination project, the three - year initiative is designed
  to improve coordination, collaboration and communication between extension networks and farmers within the Wet Tropics and Cape York catchment areas to increase efficiency, reduce duplication and improve environmental outcomes.

  

  Coastal habitat protection for the eastern Cape

  The Communities and coastal habitats of eastern Cape York will benefit from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust funded, Catchments to Coral program. Running from 2021–2023, the project will invest in a broad range of activities that focus on improving the health and resilience of eastern Cape York catchments and coastal ecosystems.

  

  A decade of progress through the Queensland Government’s Paddock to Reef program

  Words Abbey Ernst and Robyn May | Photo Robyn May

  2019 marks a decade of successful operation for the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef program). 

  It is through the Paddock to Reef program that Cape York NRM has effectively continued its work with landholders in the Normanby catchment of the Great Barrier Reef.  

  

  Update from the Directors

  Cape York is one of the only places in the country that is able to isolate as a region. While this is a valuable situation for our residents, it brings with it many challenges for our teams to continue to deliver on projects.

  Crisis brings creativity, and our team is working hard to service the Cape through NRM activities as much as possible, without physically getting out and about.

• Podcast Episode

  

  MCYL 04 Louise Stone

  Louise Stone has lived a colourful life.  She grew up on dairy farm on the Atherton Tablelands and has travelled Australia's east coast in horse and buggy. Louise can play almost any musical instrument she picks up, sings like a songbird and she once went on tour with Ester King from the Platters. She has a fascinating career working in Aboriginal communities in Queensland and Northern Territory, training Rangers in Conservation and Land Management. Until late last year, Louise was the Ranger Coordinator with Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers.

  

  MCYL 06 Desmond Tayley

  Desmond Tayley is a Cape York leader, who has the rare distinction of being one of Australia’s youngest and longest-serving mayors.

  As the Mayor of Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, he describes his community as the place “so nice you’ve got to say it twice”.

  Wujal Wujal, on southern Cape York, is where the rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef. It’s an Indigenous community located in lush country on the banks of the Bloomfield River.

  Wujal Wujal is south of Cooktown, north of the Daintree, and home to about 500 people.

  

  MCYL S2 Vince Harrigan

  Vince Harrigan is a Traditional Owner and Ranger from Normanby Station in southern Cape York. The 31,400 acre property was returned to his family in the 1990s. The Harrigan brothers are caring for country and Vince says he can see Country becoming healthy again. 

  The Normanby River runs through the property into Princess Charlotte Bay – and Vince knows that work being undertaken on the property is having a positive impact the health of the reef. 

  

  MCYL S2 Bob Frazer (part one)

  This week Cape York NRM bring you two bonus episodes of My Cape York Life.

  We are talking with Bob Frazer, who was the founding Chief Executive Officer of Cape York NRM, and spent eight years with the organisation, retiring in April 2018.

  Bob has an impressive career, spending 13 years in NRM leadership positions in Cape York and North Queensland, and he is highly regarded across Australia for his work.

• Projects

  

  Mount Louis Station weed reduction/eradication program

  Mt Louis Station is committed to the eradication of weeds on the property, with specific emphasis on the reduction of weeds in the streams and waterways. The property is situated next to a coastal environment and high water quality aids a healthy reef environment, along with healthy land based ecosystems.

  

  Engaging Mitchell River Catchment Area in 'Your Climate' NRM Planning

  Cape York NRM is adapting a socio-ecological systems approach towards development of an NRM plan that considers the distinctive cultural landscapes of Cape York.

  

  Analysis Strategy

  This project develops the analysis strategy for Cape York NRM's Your Climate project. Works involve designing the process for analysis of Your Climate Questionnaire responses, NRM Planning documents and video footage from Mulong. 

  

  Nest to Ocean Support Rnd 2 - Napranum

  Cape York NRM have received funding through Round 2 of the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program (NTOTPP) to support the on-going work of the Napranum Ranger Program to protect marine turtles nesting on coastal areas managed by the Napranum rangers. This work will complement activities previously conducted as part of ‘Projects CY071: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Napranum’; ‘CY097: Nest to Ocean Round 1 Support - Napranum and activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).
  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Hopevale and East Coast Pond Apple Control

  In association with Hopevale Council, Hopevale Congress Rangers, and the Traditional owners, this project will continue Pond Apple control work that has been ongoing in the Hopevale, South Cape Bedford, Alligator creek, and Cooktown areas for the last twenty-four years. The project will build upon work already undertaken and ensure we further encourage the return of biodiversity in our unique environment. It is also proposed to survey areas to the north, south and west of these areas to further reduce the Pond Apple seed spread.

  

  Corporate Strategic Plan Initiative

  This project aims to support Cape York Natural Resource Management Ltd. Board of Directors in the development of a Corporate Strategic Plan.

  

  Regional Landcare Facilitator

  The Regional Landcare Facilitator will deliver workshops, peer learning and farm-based demonstration activities and provide communication materials to Landcare and grower groups, land managers and regional community leaders involved in agriculture and the protection of natural resources.

  

  Napranum Turtle Monitoring and Predator Control Wage support 2015

  

  Chilli Beach - Weeds Infestation Control, Esplanade Revegetation, and Beach Dune Restoration

  This project included the control of weed infestations and the protection of natural beach and dune flora near Chilli Beach as well as the revegetation of the area surrounding the esplanade. The repair of dune degradation from vehicle access was also an integral part of the project.

  

  Traditional Owners and community working together to address threats to biodiversity

  This project meets three of the CFOC Environmental stream targets. Works focus on controlling 6 x weed species with 3 Traditional owner groups within 3 key environmental areas:

  • Trevethan Creek wildlife corridor site adjacent to the Northern Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
  • Aligator Creek an endangered coastal wetland environment also including weeds of Waymbuurr country in Cooktown
  • Rainforest isolates adjacent to Mt Web National Park at Starke.

  

  EM mapping and soil education program to improve soil mapping suitability

  This project was developed for the colection of Electromagnetic mapping, elevation data on 300 hectares of land in the Cape York Region that had been designated for high intensity agriculural use.

  

  Land Condition Assessment and Framework

  This project assists with establishing a baseline for the assessment of land condition and to monitor the integrated management of weeds, pest animals and fire to manage natural resources and maintain ecosystem resilience.

  

  Support for targeted vertebrate pest program- NPARC/Apudthama Land and Sea Rangers

  NPARC/Apudthama Land and Sea Rangers will undertake activities to target predators of turtle nests, eggs and hatchlings. As part of the West Coast Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance, these activities represent part of the on-going efforts to reduce the potential impacts of feral pigs on nesting marine turtles.

  

  Western Cape Feral Pig Control - Mapoon

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering on a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures. The project aims to reduce big numbers to a target of 70% annually over an area of more than 820,000 hectares, and involves control mesures of shooting, trapping and baiting.

  

  Coordinating NRM response to State Regional Plan for CY Peninsula

  This project will develop initial response to the draft State regional plan for Cape York on behalf of Cape York NRM. This is a preliminary draft being realeased to members of the regional planning committee prior to the full public consultation phase and this coordinated response for Cape York NRM will engage with key stakeholders to ensure response is reflective of community consultation from a cross-section of community stakeholders. 

  

  On-ground Pig Management WCTTAA

  From 2015, the Kowanyama Rangers will commence a turtle monitoring and protection program in conjunction with Traditional Owners and the Department of Environment and Heritage protection. This will include beach monitoring and nest protection programs to assess and react to the required management needs of nesting marine turtles

  

  Working with land managers to reduce the economic and environmental impacts of high priority weeds

  This project will deliver priority feral pest and weed management activities with Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc will coordinating delivery of this project. The project which will address priority weed and pest animal management in rural areas where they have a significant economic and/or environmental impact. In many cases landholders will make significant cash and/or in kind contributions to the project.

  

  Coen Collaboration Land Management Project

  This project was a joint collaboration, initiated by Nyacha Kumopinta Aboriginal Corporation, Lochinvar Station and the relevant TO’s within this area whose desires were to see viable, robust and mutually beneficial relationships; working to achieve practical outcomes whilst delivering significant environmental and social benefits. 
  

  

  Governance Support for Cape York NRM

  This project provides work which translate the findings and key insights from the Transformation for Resilient Landscapes and Communities study into potential governance improvements in a Cape York context.
  This project includes preparation of discussion papers around the future of Cape York NRM and development of a strategy for improving the governance on Cape York.

  

  Reducing the impacts of pests and weeds

  Gamba Grass (Andropogon gayanus) is a significant weed in Queensland and is a declared pest under Queensland legislation. Cape York NRM provides support to the Injinoo Ranger Base, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council/Apudthama Land & Sea Rangers as part of the ‘Reducing the impact of pests and weeds: Strategic landscape scale control while building land management knowledge and skills’ project.

  

  Kimba Plateau and Crosbie, Mound Springs & Wetlands Pig Management Program

  This project will initiate a joint cooperative feral pig management program to address pig populations that are degrading important spring, wetland and culture sites on the Kimba Plateau and Crosbie Mound Springs.
  
  These springs are currently relatively weed free, but this is rapidly changing due to feral animals. The project will control pigs using aerial shooting and on ground baiting (pig grain hoppers) as a trial cooperative program to reduce pig populations. It will build from regional experience controlling pigs and work directly with QPWS.

  

  Development of a Carbon Prioritisation Spatial Framework

  This project facilitates and develops a carbon prioritisation spatial framework for Cape York now and into the future. The project uses existing models, such as those being used by April Reside and Bob Pressey of James Cook University, and adapts and populates them with data for Cape York. The data might include fire, soils, vegetation, wetlands, culture, management regimes and land use. The project aim is to model different outcomes for Cape York based on different, mostly policy, scenarios. A number of maps reveal different opportunities based on different settings.

  

  Support for targeted vertebrate pest program-Mapoon at Skardon Beach

  This project is important to lower the predation rate of >90% by feral pigs and to protect against turtle nest predation/turtle eggs/hatchlings on Skardon Beach- Mapoon. The predation rate will be reduced to a measurable/ amount by conducting a turtle monitoring survey in the turtle season 2017 - August to November under the WCTTA / NTO project . The long term risk of doing nothing is not an option – we will lose this important turtle nesting beach to 100% predation

  

  Western Cape Feral Pig Control - Injinoo

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures involving shooting, trapping and baiting.  The aim of the project is the reduction of pig numbers to a target of 70 percent each year over an area of more than 820,000 hectares.

  

  Your Climate Community Champion

  This Community Engagement is within the Lockhart region relating to the "Your Climate NRM" planning project.

  The Community Champion will undertake engagement as outlined in the activities and milestones schedule.

  The Community Champion will assist with organisation of the Your Climate Roadshow in Lockhart River for Friday May, Including venue, putting up posters, talking to people, helping people to attend, assisting on the day.

  

  Pormpuraaw Nest to Ocean- Round 1

  This work will complement activities already being conducted for ‘Project CY072: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Pormpuraaw’ and as part of activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).

  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Rubber Vine Control, Maintaining the Established Lukin River Containment Area

  Rubber vine's ability to quickly spread and colonise areas makes it a threat to many areas of northern Australia. This project continues on previous works on the Lukin River containmnet area to further contain rubber vine. The main objectives of this project included:

  

  IRG Business Case

  Development of a Business/Investment case for the ongoing support and expansion of the Cape York Land and Sea Indigenous Reference Groups Initiative.

  

  Rubber Vine control, targeting the Established Lukin River Containment Area

  The Rubber Vine Control project continues to carry out the established efforts to contain the Rubber Vine threat to within and south of the Lukin River in regards to the Cape. This project runs in conjunction with the Rubber Vine Control project contracted to WiIllmann Pastoral Co on Yarraden Station. 
  Project activities include:

  

  Bonny Glen Mud Springs Integrated Pest Management

  This project involved fire, weed and feral animal management using integrated control techniques which complemented each other. The partnerships formed from the project will have lasting benefits for Gummi Junga by combining traditional knowledge with contemporary methods, and also legislative requirements for looking after country. The project was funded through the Department of Environment and Heritage, through the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Grant Program, with Cape York NRM hosting the project.

  

  Riparian Fencing on Kimba Station

  Alice River runs through Kimba Station very close to the northern boundary. Cattle have open access to a section of river from the old fence. This causes erosion of bed and banks, spreading of weeds, fouling of waterholes and higher grazing pressure in the riparian area adjacent to the river.
  This project will fence 10 kms of the southern bank of the Alice River thus creating a fenced corridor along the river where grazing can be controlled. One dam inside the fence will be needed to supply water to the cattle when excluded from the river.

  

  Strategic Pest & Weed Management July-Dec 2014

  This project is part of a 3 year program that implements strategic and coordinated pest management actions to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the natural, agricultural and cultural values of Cape York. The project implements landscape scale containment and control of specific invasive weeds on Cape York through improved prevention, response capacity, surveillance and detection of weeds and helps establish a better baseline to monitor emerging weed problems. 

  Project activities include:

  

  Wenlock Catchment Management Group Consultancy

  The Wenlock River requires good management, an effectively targeted work program and coordinated stakeholder and community participation to maintain these values and to reduce the impacts of populations.

  

  Western Cape Feral Pig Control - Napranum

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering on a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures involving shooting, trapping and baiting.  The aim of the project is to reduce pig numbers to a target of 70 percent each year over an area of more than 820,000 hectares.

  Control measures to be undertaken by the Nanum Wungthim Land and Sea Management, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council includes aerial and ground shooting, and where required, trapping and baiting.

  

  Yarraden Demonstration Site

  This project is part of the Sustainable Agriculture project of Cape York NRM and establishes a demonstration site focused on soil health, land condition, fire and water management, economic baselines and benchmarks to highlight their adoption of sustainable land management practices.
  The project establishes good practice for road construction and fencing on Yarraden Station and the results of this project will be used to demonstrate sustainable management of a property to others in the Central Cape York Cluster.

  

  Mapoon Nest to Ocean- Round 1

  This work will complement activities already being conducted for ‘Project CY069: Western Cape Feral Pig Control – Mapoon’ and as part of activities associated with participation in the Western Cape Turtle Threat Abatement Alliance (WCTTAA).

  Through this project the Ranger program will:

  

  Improving native vegetation and soil condition of grazing lands within the Joint Management Area

  Project purpose

  This project aims to improve waterway/wetland health and reduce soil loss to downstream freshwater and marine environments by improving land managers skills and knowledge in native vegetation and soil erosion management.

  Project description

  

  GRASS - Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions Program

  This project will offer on ground support for ten Cape York graziers to improve land management (particularly C and D land condition) through Action Plans for Land Management and one-on-one extension that will lead to practice change and long-term improvement of managed land, before the end of June 2021. The aim is to secure future funding for improvements identified in the action plans.

  

  Lukin Rubber Vine Control Yarraden 2017

  Rubber vine decreases biodiversity and prevents access to both stock and native animals. It generally invades waterways first, where the seeds germinate in moist silt layers after rain.

  This Rubber Vine Control project continued to carry out the established efforts to contain the Rubber Vine threat by the method of spraying the rubber vine on Lukin River on Yarraden Station. This project ran in partnership with Willstock Cattle and Wunthulpu Aboriginal Land Trust. 

  

  Empowering Traditional Owners, Rangers and Community to Address Critical Threats to Biodiversity

  Site location: From Laura through to Normanby and Melsonby stations across Kings Plains and around the Northern Wet Tropics Rainforest margins 
  
  Project Summary: 

  

  Facilitating engagement in the Mitchell River Catchment Area

  This project builds on previous engagement with landholders from the “Your Climate” planning project undertaken from 30 March-30 July 2014 period in the Mitchell River catchment area. Full project proposals are developed with assistance of Mitchell River Watershed Catchment Management Group Inc

  

  Land Condition Assessment and Framework 2015-2016

  This project assisted with establishing a baseline for the assessment of land condition and to monitor the integrated management of weeds, pest animals and fire to manage natural resources and maintain ecosystem resilience.

  

  EC mapping program to improve soil mapping suitability in Lakeland Region

  A large portion of soils within the region are mapped at 1:900,00 scale that are not considered suitable for agricultural development particularly for complicated hazard assessments including landform, slope and variation due to soil type (e.g. erodibility, infiltration rates, soil water holding capacity. For this analysis to be meaningful the scale of soil mapping would need to be improved from 1:900,000 to 1:25:000 for all lands that have been identified as suitable for intensive agricultural development.

  

  Rubber Vine Spraying on the Lukin River

  The Rubber Vine Control project continues to carry out the established efforts to contain the Rubber Vine threat to by the method of spraying the rubber vine on Lukin River on Yarraden Station. This project runs in conjunction with the Rubber Vine Control project contracted to Wunthulpa Aboriginal Land Trust.

  Project activities include:

  

  Scaling up Normanby basin gully and stream bank remediation in priority areas

  Primarily at sites situated around the Laura and Normanby Rivers of the Normanby catchment, the program involves land management improvement and the active remediation of gullies. Funded by the Australian Government's Reef Trust over five years (2017 to 2022), Cape York NRM is working with land managers, contractors, and engineers to design and deliver best practice gully remediation projects in the Normanby catchment.

  

  Guide to Grasses of Quinkan Country

  This project will produce a series of fact sheets for 30 species of grasses found on Quinkan Country.

  

  Western Cape Feral Pig Control - Pormpuraaw

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures involving shooting, trapping and baiting.  The aim of the project is the reduction of pig numbers to a target of 70 percent each year over an area of more than 820,000 hectares.

  

  Darrba Video Plan and Indigenous NRM Planning Support

  This project provides business and NRM planning support to four Indigenous groups on Cape York to work towards fulfilling their land and sea aspirations and sustainable business development.

  

  Strengthening indigenous participation in the governance and work of Cape York NRM

  This project will provide consultation on the new proposed Indigenous Sector Zones with regard to Directorship areas of the Board of Cape York NRM with the criteria for membership of the Sector and Zone would be determined on the basis of that connection to country.
  This consultancy project will:

  

  Containing and reducing the further spread of established Pond Apple at Hopevale and South Cape Bedford

  Pond apple (Annona glabra) threatens coastal wetland landscapes through the Wet Tropics bioregion of Far North Queensland with isolated occurrences on eastern coast of Cape York. This weed of National Significance presents a threat due to its ability to colonise and transform intact natural ecosystems, forming mono cultural thickets effectively displacing native ecosystems, the native habitats of turtles, dugongs and native birds.

  

  Strategic Pest Management 2013-14

  This project delivered strategic and coordinated pest management actions to reduce the impacts of invasive species on the natural, agricultural and cultural values of Cape York. The project implemented landscape scale containment and control of specific invasive weed and vertebrate pest animal populations on Cape York through improved prevention, response capacity, surveillance and detection of weeds, an aerial feral animal baiting program targeting central Cape York and help to establish a better baseline to monitor emerging pest and weed problems. 
  

  

  Prospectus for Western Cape York Water Management Plan

  This project develops a detailed prospectus for Western Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan (WCYWQIP). The prospectus is to engage with funding bodies and partners to support the WCYWQIP project and will demonstrate the benefits of supporting Cape York NRM to achieve this Plan.

  

  Pig Migration and Population Dynamics Research Plan

  The goal of the research is to identify cost-effective control programs to reduce reinvasion of coastal areas by feral pigs and thereby reduce the need for aerial culls, it is important to improve our knowledge of pig populations and appropriate management units in western Cape York.

  

  Aerial Control of feral pigs for turtle protection on Wik Country

  This project forms part of a broader pest management program delivering on a strategy of integrated aerial and on-ground feral pig control measures involving shooting, trapping and baiting to reduce pig numbers to a target of 70 percent each year over an area of more than 820,000 hectares.

  Control measures include aerial control of feral pigs by aerial shooting by expert marksmen trained in platform shooting. This project is an initial phase of an integrated pest management program to be undertaken in the land managed by Wik Projects.