Category: New Page Examples

Provide support for environmental education programs in the Russell Mulgrave area to increase the level of community engagement.

Why is it important? Involvement and support from the community will increase the reach and effectiveness of projects. A school education program/centre can engage with younger generations, who will be the future of the region in politics, business and community leadership.

Examples of local action: Employ a communicator to assist community groups.
Establish a school-based Environmental Education Centre.

Conduct restoration to improve resilience of natural and agricultural areas to threats, including climate change.

Why is it important? Our ecosystems and native wildlife are already at risk from a range of threats, including fragmentation, pests and weeds and now climate change. Restoration can improve resilience to these threats, as well as restore connectivity and expand habitat. Local groups can contribute by using scientific knowledge, applied in local context, to do restoration projects. Climate change has the potential to have profound effects on local communities, natural areas and agricultural industries. Preparing now by identifying and implementing strategies to improve resilience puts us on the front foot.

Examples of local action: Restore east-west corridors from the coast to higher altitude areas, to provide opportunities for migration of plants and animals.
Research on adaptive tree species for restoration under changing climatic conditions. Investigate the effect of climate change on revegetation projects and whether certain tree species might be better adapted to changing climatic conditions.

Using an ecosystem based approach, manage catchments as a whole, not focussed on single issues.

Why is it important? A landscape-scale approach, that takes into account all factors that affect the health of the system, can provide multiple outcomes, including for natural systems and local communities.

Collaborative development of country-based plans across the region.

Why is it important? Managing country based on cultural indicators, as well as incorporating western science, can bring signficant environmental, social and cultural benefits.

Value and manage Trinity Inlet to protect its significant environmental values.

Why is it important? Trinity Inlet is an important fish habitat and breeding area. It is in very close proximity to the Cairns urban area and is identified of being at risk from impacts of climate change, including sea level rise.

Conduct large scale restoration and revegetation projects, in collaboration with community groups and Traditional Owners.

Why is it important? The local community has the capacity, skills and knowledge to successfully manage and implement restoration projects. These projects have significant environmental, social and cultural outcomes; providing opportunities for community involvement in large scale restoration projects expands the scale and impact of these local groups.

Examples of local action: Support involvement of local groups and Traditional Owners in new programs, like Reef Credits.

Conduct restoration projects to expand habitat and improve connectivity across the landscape for threatened species like cassowaries.

Why is it important? Habitat creation or restoration and improving connectivity can contribute to management and conservation of threatened species.

Conduct education and awareness campaigns to support and promote sustainable farming practices.

Why is it important? Local and sustainable industries can contribute to healthy waterways, soil health, protection of habitat, climate change mitigation, biodiversity and biosecurity outcomes. Local industry leaders can become sustainability champions and advocates.

Support new or existing native plant nurseries to produce trees for restoration projects.

Why is it important? A native plant nursery brings both social and environmental outcomes. The native trees can support local restoration efforts and provide training and employment opportunities.

Strengthen partnerships and collaboration with Traditional Owners on NRM projects to ensure the protection of cultural values.

Why is it important? Local Traditional Owners have knowledge and cultural understanding to ensure culturally sensitive sites are protected. Working in collaboration with Traditional Owners during project planning and at the start of program development will ensure these areas are protected.

Examples of local action: Prior to any work on country, contact the local traditional owners, traditional owner organisations and RNTBC in relation to determined areas to be better informed about and protect culturally sensitive sites.

Minimise loss of good quality agricultural land due to the southern expansion of urban and industrial development from Edmonton and Cairns.

Why is it important? Good quality agricultural land is needed to support sustainable food and fibre production industries, including maintaining the viability of the local sugar industry and mill.

Provide support to facilitate economic and business opportunities for local Traditional Owners.

Why is it important?

A more inclusive approach recognises the knowledge of local Traditional Owners and the benefits of incorporating cultural values into projects. Many Traditional Owners have a strong connection to country and would benefit socially, culturally and economically from working on country.

Example of local actions:

Cultural burning practices.

Using cultural knowledge and practices to inform permits, permitting and statutory planning processes.

Expand Indigenous ranger programs.