Author: Bronwyn Robertson

Proactively implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change in our region, including on our agricultural and tourism industries, communities and coastal ecosystems like littoral rainforest.

Why it is Important?

We have access to a range of existing resources and information to help plan and implement climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Climate change will have impacts in our local landscape, so it’s important we work together to improve our resilience and maintain the values we all love.

Examples of local action

• Ensure there is reliable and accessible information (eg. included in Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country) to support planning and action eg. Planning Institute of Australia ’10 fix strategies’, Queensland Government Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy.

Support best management agricultural practices that help maintain local industries and communities, while also protecting our unique natural environment and wildlife species.

Why it is Important?

With ever-increasing demands on our landscapes to support growing communities, while still maintaining their natural values and unique wildlife, good planning and land management practices are vital. Agricultural diversification and niche industries can make the most of productive land, increase resilience to fluctuations in market or climate and may be more compatible with local wildlife needs.

Examples of Local Action

• Identify and protect high value agricultural land in local planning schemes.
• Provide support in areas like marketing, establishment and branding, particularly in the development of niche crops or industries. This could benefit smaller family farm businesses, and result in more environmental and economic diversity.

Implement a whole of landscape, holistic approach to improve cassowary protection, using local-level planning to identify specific actions for local areas.

Why it is Important?

Cassowaries are one of the most iconic species in our local landscape, but they face a range of threats. A holistic approach is needed that considers all the factors affecting cassowaries – planning considerations for habitat protection, better mapping of habitat and corridors, replanting habitat, managing dogs and pigs, reducing road deaths, recognising cross-cultural values, etc.

Examples of Local Action

• Reduction of speed limits on state and local roads, especially critical habitat areas.
• Update road signs in cassowary habitat areas.
• Work with the Department of Main Roads to investigate other options to reduce cassowary deaths on roads eg. painting signs on the bitumen.

Conduct education campaigns to raise awareness in the community about actions we can all take to improve our local environment.

Justification

We can all do our bit to help keep our local towns and natural places clean and healthy. Raising awareness about actions we can take will encourage greater community support and engagement with local sustainability initiatives.

Examples of Local Action

• Condcut education campaigns that focus on a range of issues, including illegal dumping (on land and water), reuse / recycle and buying local.

Foster improved collaboration and partnerships between local governments, industries, working groups and private enterprises, for increased engagement in natural resource management.

Justification

Working together through effective partnerships can deliver more than if we are all working on our own. Partnering with others can also help spread the message further, potentially engaging more stakeholders through additional networks.

Examples of Local Action

• Conduct engagement activities with local industries and government organisations at community field days.

Develop and implement a roadmap for local climate change, that is led by the community.

Justification

We already have access to locally relevant information on changes to our climatic conditions and there is a growing level of support at all levels for action on climate change. We can build on this to identify opportunities to increase resilience across the region for our terrestrial and aquatic habitats, industries and communities.

Examples of Local Action

• Use existing planning frameworks eg. FNQROC Plan and Mareeba Shire Council Biosecurity Plan to implement land management practices and relevant on-ground works with delivery partners, that take into account climate change.

Conduct coordinated and aggressive action to control pest ant species, including electric ants and yellow crazy ants.

Justification

Pest ant species have the potential to take over the natural environment, killing local ant species as well as small mammals and frogs. Containment and eradication is essential at known infestations, with vigilant monitoring in other areas to ensure no new populations establish.

Examples of Local Action

• Some existing monitoring and baiting occurring eg. by Mareeba Shire Council at landfill stations. Expand the monitoring and control activities to other areas.

Conduct surveying, treatment and monitoring of turbina infestations, particularly along the Barron River and other waterways.

Justification

Turbina is an invasive vine weed which has the potential to smother mature trees and affect large areas of native forest. Its impacts are particularly severe in areas of narrow riparian vegetation, where it can completely dominate the vegetation, pulling down mature trees and smothering natural regeneration.

Collaborate with all stakeholders to conduct coordinated and ongoing control of priority weeds and pests to protect farming land and natural and cultural assets.

Justification

There are a range of weed and pest species already established in the Northern Tablelands, which are impacting agricultural and natural areas. Without sustained and focused control efforts with all stakeholders, the potential impacts of these species can be devastating on the local environment, primary production and tourism.

Examples of Local Action

• Use a collaborative approach, involving catchment groups, local community groups, rangers, local government and private conservation organisations to plan and conduct biosecurity activities.
• Reference existing pest management plans and processes for identifying priority species eg. Mareeba Shire Council Pest Management Plan (wild dogs, pigs, rabbits, crop pests (fall army worm), bunny ears (cacti), brilliantasia, cha-om, hiptage, hygrophilla, limnocharis, madras thorn, mexican bean tree, mimosa, sagitaria, crofton weed, baleria, turbina, koster’s curse, giant rats tail grass).

Conduct a range of activities across the catchment to minimise sediment runoff into the Barron River and Great Barrier Reef, including bank stability work, revegetation and land management practices.

Justification

Sediment runoff impacts on water quality and aquatic biodiversity values throughout the Barron River catchment, including tributaries and the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. It also impacts farming systems, through loss of topsoil and streambank instability.

Examples of Local Action

• Conduct contouring on farms in areas at risk of erosion. Establish them using GPS to allow for future maintenance.

Develop and support a range of tourism initiatives which showcase the natural features and cultural values of the local area.

Justification

The Northern Tablelands has unique and significant environmental and cultural values. Showcasing these through tourism initiatives can provide social and cultural outcomes and raise awareness of these values within the local community. If these initiatives are also Indigenous run and focussed or conducted in partnership with Traditional Owners, there is the potential for significant positive outcomes for local Indigenous people.

Examples of Local Action

• Establish an art gallery for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists.
• Conduct cultural tours through some of the local wetlands.

Use appropriate fire management techniques across the landscape to help reduce fuel loads and control weeds.

Justification

In this drier part of the region, fire is an important management tool for a range of environmental management outcomes and community safety (reduction of fuel loads). Fire can also be effective in controlling areas of weed infestations and removing pest animal harbourage.

Examples of Local Action

• Coordinate fire management with all stakeholders, including Mareeba Shire Coouncil fire management team, Rural Fire Service, landholders, Traditional Owners, etc.