Category: New Page Examples

Protect and expand cassowary habitat and minimise threats to the species.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Cassowaries play a crucial role in rainforest diversity and they are currently listed as endangered. Only 20-25% of their original habitat remains and it is highly fragmented. Protecting and connecting remaining habitat is vital for sustaining remaining populations. Apart from habitat constraints, traffic strikes and dog attacks are the leading causes for cassowary deaths. Reducing these threats ensures the birds have a greater chance of survival.

EXAMPLE OF LOCAL ACTION:

Use social media to raise awareness and report sightings.

Conduct comprehensive and ongoing feral pig management, using a combination of approaches for increased impact.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Pigs cause extensive damage to ecosystems and agricultural industries. They are a biosecurity risk, with the potential to destroy local industries eg. spreading Panama Disease. Current control methods are not sufficient to deal with the problem. A range of approaches, such as trapping, baiting and heli-shooting, is needed to deal with the enormous extent of the problem. Using local knowledge and keeping up to date with best management practices can minimise effects on other species.

EXAMPLE OF LOCAL ACTION:

Advocate for ongoing funding for a heli-shooter (helicopter hunting shows good results).

Remove barriers to fish movement in coastal areas to improve fish passage to feeding and breeding areas.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The extensive fish habitat areas in estuarine areas surrounding the lower Murray and along the coast are very important for fish productivity, encompassing a large range of habitats. Barriers to fish passage could include physical barriers (eg. weeds, poorly designed culverts and road crossings, logs) or chemical barriers (eg. changes in water quality, like temperature or dissolved oxygen). Removing these barriers can have a major impact on fish passage and sustainable fish populations.

EXAMPLE OF LOCAL ACTION:

Install fish ladders or rock ramps where crossings inhibit fish passage. Current project underway, but investigate other areas where this work would be valuable.
Identify blockages from trees which have fallen during past cyclones and remove significant barriers.

Support community engagement, ownership and active participation in management of protected estates, such as the World Heritage Area.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Local communities can enhance a World Heritage declaration when actively involved. It improves lifestyle through pride of being a custodian of extraordinary land.

Raise the profile of good environmental work that is happening.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Many landholders, community groups and industry organisations are achieving great natural resource management outcomes and making a significant contribution to the health of our natural assets. Sharing details about successful projects and initiatives acknowledges the efforts of those involved, inspires others to follow suit and keeps hard working individuals motivated. This can result in increased participation and effectiveness of environmental projects.

EXAMPLES OF LOCAL ACTION

Hold an environmental management/engagement forum, to share details of successful approaches, projects or methods.
Prepare case studies of successful projects and make them available in a central place (eg. Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country).
Promote good news stories in various media and communication channels.

Conduct riparian restoration (weed control, revegetation) to improve water quality, habitat condition and aquatic connectivity.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Healthy waterways contribute to healthy ecosystems and clean water to the Great Barrier Reef. Managing aquatic weeds and in-stream and riparian habitat can significantly improve the ecological function and value of waterways. Stable creek beds with healthy vegetation are able to deal with large fluctuations in water availability (drainage management), provide water treatment/ filtration and erosion control.

EXAMPLE OF LOCAL ACTION:

Collaborate with QPWS and neighbouring landholders to manage hymenachne at Pungi Creek.
Collaborate with RIT to identify priority areas for bank stabilisation and conduct appropriate rehabilitation.

Establish cooperative partnerships between NRM stakeholders to share knowledge and resources.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Partnerships can increase opportunities, motivation and capacity of individual groups and people. Making the most of local knowledge and sharing between groups (eg. community groups, councils, schools) is an effective way to build capacity and skills and increase the impact of groups.

EXAMPLES OF LOCAL ACTION

Hold workshops (eg. water quality training) to share specialist skills between groups or have combined workshops with external presenters.
Share equipment to support weed control, planting and maintenance on private land.

Increase restoration and protection of coastal and mangrove ecosystems, including Trinity Inlet.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Mangroves play a major role in carbon sequestration and mitigation of effects from rising sea levels and catastrophic weather events. Coastal areas also provide important fish habitat and breeding areas. The urban proximity to our coastal habitats and the increasing impacts of climate change require special focus.

EXAMPLES OF LOCAL ACTION

Monitor, manage and protect Trinity Inlet to maintain its natural and cultural values.
Involve Traditional Owners to apply traditional management and monitoring of the local plants and animals.

Investigate options for improving the environmental values of unproductive agricultural land and diversifying economic opportunities.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Improving land and water quality can give an increase in biodiversity and open up other economic opportunities = increasing health of country and people.

EXAMPLES OF LOCAL ACTION

Create a demonstration farm that showcases all the benefits of economic, environmental and cultural diversity – biodiversity, carbon sequestration, bushfood farms, restoration for water quality, involvement of Traditional Owners.
Investigate opportunities for wildlife tourism as a way of diversifying income streams and raising awareness of local wildlife.

Support development and implementation of Country Based Plans to support the unique natural and cultural values of local places within our region.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Country based planning uses a strengths based approach, incorporating local knowledge to identify and develop solutions at a local management area level. Country based plans can support a strategic and holistic approach to managing country, rather than a reactive approach responding to problems as they arise.

Conduct weed control, replanting, habitat protection and maintenance in Cairns Central Swamp.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Cairns Central Swamp has important biodiversity values and plays a vital role in reducing the risks and impacts of flooding. Working in collaboration, community groups and local government can share resources and equipment to maintain this important area.

Review regional agreements for the Wet Tropics to support cooperative management of country.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

Continuing to review, refine and support the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement ensures ongoing cooperative management of the Wet Tropics with Traditional Owners. This process results in increased participation by Traditional Owners in all aspects of decision making and management and provides increased recognition of cultural values.