Sponsorship provides turtle boat for Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers

A $130,000 sponsorship by mining company Glencore has provided a 6.2-metre vessel to assist Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to improve important turtle research off the north Queensland coast.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Dr Steven Miles said the vessel was provided to the Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation in Home Hill, for their Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger team.

“The Queensland Government provides more than $525,000 each year to the Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation to employ five rangers.

“Glencore’s additional sponsorship has provided the Gudjuda Rangers with this new vessel, which is not only a great asset for the Corporation, but has also been the catalyst for new skilling programs for the rangers, including coxswains certificates, vessel operation competency, and safety management systems training.”

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said at the launch of the boat in Bowen Harbour today (24 November) that the vessel would allow the five Gudjuda Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to continue their excellent work.

“This allows the rangers to monitor turtle activity off north Queensland, as well as enhance other activities, such as wetland care and management.

“The new twin hulled utility vessel features a bow door that will provide a simpler way of loading turtles during monitoring exercises and easy beach access for debris clean-up and other activities.    

“The overall investment in the vessel is $138,961, with a Queensland Government contribution supplement the Glencore funding to allow for this boat to be purchased with specifications required to carry out this important work,” Mr Stewart said.

Glencore Community Relations Manager Craig Strudwick said the support of the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program reflected the company’s approach to responsible planning and management of resources.   

“We have a strong focus on environmental management across our operations and we take a proactive approach to identifying opportunities to support programs and initiatives that can deliver good outcomes in this area. 

“We have worked successfully with the Queensland Government and EHP in the past, notably through our $3.5 million support of the department’s work to successfully protect the northern hairy-nosed wombat.

“And we expect that our partnership with the Government and the Gudjuda Land and Sea Rangers will be just as successful in protecting another threatened species.”

Gudjuda Chairperson Eddie Smallwood said the new vessel will give the rangers greater flexibility and efficiency when undertaking turtle tagging and monitoring activities.

“Until now we have been dependent on two smaller vessels without bow gates, and have had to ferry turtles ashore for our monitoring activities.

“The new boat will also be very helpful for our other monitoring work which includes creeks, beaches and seagrass, as well as giving us the opportunity to research species other than turtles.

“We’ll also be able to use the boat to help the community in the event of natural disasters like flooding and cyclones. 

“To have our own larger, flat deck vessel gives us a greater ability to conduct monitoring activities safely and efficiently and to protect north Queensland’s turtles and general marine environment.”

Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation represents the interests of the Bindal, Juru and NgaroTraditional Owner groups. 

The corporation administers a land region from south of Black River, Townsville, west to the Leichhardt and Clark Ranges and south to Midge Point, north of Mackay, and the Great Barrier Reef opposite this area.

ENDS