Words Sandra Lloyd | Photo Cape York NRM

Freshwater rivers and creeks in northern Australia have cultural, environmental and economic value. These values are under threat because of introduced species including Pond Apple, Gamba Grass and feral pigs.

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.

Words and photo Juliana Foxlee

I am here to help with anything agriculture – that’s the message for Cape York’s agricultural community from Cape York NRM’s Regional Agriculture Landcare Facilitator, Andrew Hartwig.

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.

Over the past several months, community members in south-east Cape York have come together during five interactive workshops to develop the Cape York Reef Community Action Plan (CAP).

The workshops included community events held in Wujal Wujal, Cooktown and Hope Vale, as well as a school workshop at Endeavour Christian College and a school holiday session with young Reef enthusiasts, and were well attended by a range of community members including Traditional Owner Groups, land managers, scientists, local council members and ranger groups.

A generous donation of 50 turtle nest cages by two businesses, Hickey’s Metal Fabrication, and Specialised Brake and Clutch Service, to the Pormpuraaw Land and Sea Management Rangers (Pormpuraaw Rangers) will help the next generation of endangered olive ridley turtles survive.

Staff from the Penrith, NSW - based businesses donated time and materials to the effort which was organised by Specialised Brake and Clutch Service’s Kevin Gavin.

‘Everyone was very pleased to help,’ he said.

Despite its record of success, WCTTAA funding is due to cease in June 2020.

‘It is not overstating it to say WCTTAA is the only thing standing between olive ridley turtles and localised extinction on the western Cape,’ Kerri said.

‘If businesses would like to provide support for the program to continue, please contact WCTTAA on kerri.woodcock@capeyorknrm.com.au

WCTTAA is supported by Cape York NRM and is funded by the Nest to Ocean Turtle Protection Program, a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments

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.

This plan provides a sustainable land management program for Maitland Downs, to control weeds and pest animals on the property, to ensure it’s economic and environmental viability continues into the future.

The Cape York Peninsula (CYP) Pest Management Strategy provides a planning framework for coordinated pest management between research bodies, agencies, communities, industries, individuals and the government.

The Cape York Peninsula Pest Management Plan (CYPPMP) establishes a Cape-wide planning framework for integrated pest management by Government, Community, Industry and Individuals. The plan and action plans have been developed with community consultation to help achieve a coordinated and effective approach to pest management throughout Cape York Peninsula (CYP).

The overall vision of the feral pig management strategy is to use best practice
management to minimise the impact of feral pigs on the environment, economy and
health of Queensland.
The strategy is intended to achieve five outcomes:
(1) The community accepts that feral pigs are an issue for the community as a whole.
(2) Feral pigs are managed effectively.
(3) Resources are used effectively and strategically through collaborative and
coordinated pest management planning.

This plan outlines the sustainable land management practices for Brumby Hollow over 4 years. Objectives are:

1. to prevent the introduction of any new weed species on the property or new infestations of existing species in new areas;
2. all high priority weeds to be reduced in area and/or reduced in density of current infestations;
3. to contain or reduce in area all medium priority weeds; and,
4. to reduce the number of feral animals within 5 years. 

Jalunji-Warra Land and Sea Country

(excerpt)

The Cape York Peninsula Pest Management Strategy (CYPPMS) is a broad over-arching document that establishes a Cape-wide planning framework for integrated pest management by government, community, industry and individuals. The Strategy and action plans have been developed with community consultation to help achieve a coordinated and effective approach to pest management throughout Cape York Peninsula.

This plan aims to protect the economy and environment of Bunata from the adverse impacts of weeds and feral animals.The objectives for weed and feral animal management in Bunata over the next 4 years are:

1. All high priority weeds are reduced in area and density;
2. Other weeds are contained or reduced in area;
3. Prevent the spread of existing weeds and the introduction of any new weeds onto our property; and
4. To reduce the number of feral animals within the life of the plan.

Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM), Cook Shire Council (CSC), Weipa Town Authority, Wujal Wujal, Hopevale, Lockhart, Mapoon, Napranum, Aurukun, Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Councils and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) have collaboratively developed this Regional Biosecurity Plan (the Plan) for Cape York Peninsula. The development of the Plan has been the culmination of extensive consultation with Cape York Peninsula communities, Traditional Owners and all levels of government.

The plan has been prepared to protect the economy and environment of “Jim’s Joint” from the adverse impacts of weeds and feral animals. Objectives to be achieved within the life of the plan (4 years) are: 1) To prevent the introduction of any new weeds in the next 4 years; 2) To reduce in area all high priority weeds and/or to reduce the density of current infestations; 3) To contain or reduce medium and low priority weeds within 4 years; and, 4) To reduce the number of feral animals within 4 years

To manage the land of Butchers Hill Station, in a sustainable way, by controlling weeds and pest animals on the property, and ensuring it’s economic and environmental viability continues into the future. The objectives for weed and feral animal management in Butchers Hill Station over the next 4 years are:

The plan represents a workable pest management program which identifies, combats and eradicates declared environmental pest plants and feral animals for Julery Pastoral. The goal of the pest management plan is to guarantee the land is managed in a sustainable way which ensures economical and environment viability.

On day one of the regional workshop, participants used their knowledge of individual species to identify the major and minor regional threats that are affecting each species. On day two of the regional workshop, species were grouped by major threats.

This environmental management plan was released by the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation as part of their environmental program with the objective of acting as a reference document for all then-current and potential users of the Weipa port.