Community Action

The active community groups and their projects within the Hinchinbrook area reflect some of the key features for which this Local Landscape is renowned.  The transitional landscape, from the wetter rainforests further north to the drier eucalypt-dominated country to the south, provides refuge for many species of wildlife, including some extremely rare and threatened species.  Government and community collaborations have resulted in a range of initiatives around recovery of these species. The productive cane lands, managed by innovative farmers, have provided opportunities for a range of projects focussing on sustainable agriculture and water quality.

Community Groups

Projects

Mungalla

Mungalla Station, managed by the Nywaigi Aboriginal people, is a working cattle property which also operates a cultural and historical tourist venture.  With almost a quarter of the station covered by seasonally inundated wetlands, a focus of the Traditional Owners is to restore the health of the wetlands through weed management and revegetation of key riparian areas.

Restoring the lower reaches of Palm Creek

Herbert River Catchment Group

The Herbert River Catchment Group (HRCG) has been established for over 20 years, representing interests from a broad geographical and cultural area.  The headwaters of the catchment in the western Atherton Tablelands support large cattle grazing stations, while the central sections are mostly forested ranges protected in National Parks, State Forests and World Heritage Areas.  The lower sections of the river, on the coastal plains near Ingham, are largely used for sugar cane production.  During the group’s long history, strong relationships have been developed with a range of organisations and the HRCG has managed and been involved in many successful projects.  With their collaborative approach, the group focusses on areas of sustainable agriculture, coastal management, wetland restoration and revegetation.

Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd.

The HCPSL, a not for profit company, supports the many cane growers on the coastal plains around Ingham, with its main aim to enhance the productivity of the sugar industry.  With cane production the largest land use in this part of the coast, the HCPSL is a significant contributor and collaborator on many natural resource management projects in the area.

Mahogany Glider Recovery Team

An endangered species, the Mahogany Glider is found in a narrow strip from just south of Ingham, north to near Tully.  The Mahogany Glider Recovery Team brings together individuals from a range of organisations to contribute to planning and action to aid recovery of the Mahogany Glider.  Representatives from state and local government, farming organisations, Traditional Owners, forest industry groups and the conservation sector have all contributed to the development of a Recovery Plan for the Mahogany Glider, to develop strategies for protection and guide recovery efforts.