Four more Quandamooka rangers to join North Stradbroke Island workforce

Four new rangers will start work on North Stradbroke Island early in 2016 under a four-year grant as part of the Indigenous Management Agreement between the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and the Queensland Government.

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Dr Steven Miles said the Queensland Government was committed to providing local employment opportunities for the Quandamooka People.

“Four rangers for the Indigenous joint management areas on the island will be employed by QYAC through this grant,” Dr Miles said.

“Those QYAC ranger staff will be based at Dunwich and will work with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers to protect and manage the significant conservation and cultural values of North Stradbroke and Peel islands.

“This is the first arrangement of this type in Queensland – a true partnership approach for on-ground management in protected areas.

“Two of the four positions are already filled, and will complement another eight QPWS ranger positions, some of which are already filled by Quandamooka people.

“It’s providing an opportunity for Quandamooka people to have an even greater role in achieving their aspirations of protecting and managing the significant conservation and cultural values of Quandamooka country through a joint management framework,” Dr Miles said.

Cameron Costello, QYAC Chief Executive Officer, said QYAC was excited to provide the opportunity for Quandamooka People to care for country.

“These positions provide a pathway for our young people, particularly those who come through our Quandamooka Community Ranger program, to progress over time into a career in parks management,” Mr Costello said.

“The positions have come as a direct result of native title and show a great example of positive joint management between QPWS and QYAC for Naree Budjong Djarra,” he said.

Dr Miles said programs currently being progressed by the joint management partnership included:

-       a fire management strategy that will incorporate traditional fire (Jarlo) knowledge of the Quandamooka people;

-       cultural heritage surveys and ecological assessments of the jointly managed areas on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) and Peel Island (Teerk Roo Ra);

-       an Aboriginal Culture and Knowledge project that will inform the Aboriginal culture and tradition requirements of the proposed park Management Plan;

-       a Quandamooka cultural training package for staff involved in joint management

Dr Miles said the grant was in addition to the Queensland Government’s $20 million commitment to the economic transition strategy as the island economy moves from mining to other industries.

ENDS

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