JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: First Nations communities empowered to safeguard Queensland environment 

First Nations communities empowered to safeguard Queensland environment 

• Looking After Country Grant Program recipients announced.
• $522,972 awarded to seven First Nations conservation projects across Queensland.  
• These projects will support 51 temporary part-time jobs including rangers, trainees and project officers. 

The Crisafulli Government is supporting Traditional Owners to care for and connect with Country, through the latest round of Looking After Country grants. 

More than $520,000 will be shared by seven new conservation projects, which focus on wetland condition assessments and protection works, cultural values mapping, youth engagement, healthy country planning, and documentation of Traditional Knowledge. 

The recipients span Queensland including conservation projects in St George, Hopevale and Cairns. 

The Looking After Country Funding Grants offer funding of up to $75,000, and help employ 51 temporary part-time jobs in roles including rangers, trainees and project officers. 

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said this funding will continue to support First Nations communities to conserve and manage environmental and cultural heritage on Country. 

“First Nations communities have expert knowledge on the conservation of our unique biodiversity and environments across Queensland and have been playing a central role in doing so for tens of thousands of years,” Minister Powell said. 

“These grants will support important projects including Healthy Country Planning and documentation of Traditional Knowledge.  

“Our continued commitment to ongoing partnerships with Traditional Owners across the state will improve our land management, while supporting 51 jobs in First Nations communities.” 

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said programs like Looking After Country help strengthen partnerships between this Government and Queensland’s First Nations peoples.  

“Delivering meaningful and effective programs are not only beneficial for community and Country, but they improve respect and appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” Minister Simpson said. 

“This is vital for social cohesion across the state as well as increasing community and economic participation and self-determination among First Nations peoples.” 

Daarba Land Trust, located just outside of Hopevale, received a grant of $74,522 to undertake on-Country wetland condition assessments and develop and implement protection strategies.  

Chairperson of Daarba Land Trust Deleece Bowen said this project aims to protect the health of Wuyi Wetland, an important cultural and ecological site for Daarba people, while passing on Traditional Knowledge to young people and building their skills to work on Country. 

“Wuyi Wetland is a sensitive story place, bora ground and traditional camp area, as well as a sanctuary for crocodiles and migratory birds, but it is threatened by weeds, feral animals, visitor impacts and wildfire,” Ms Bowen said.