THREE MORE INDIGENOUS RANGERS FOR THE CAPE AND GULF

Three more indigenous wild river rangers will start work across the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York Peninsula regions to protect and promote the State’s new wild river systems.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said today a contract had been negotiated with the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation for the three new rangers.

“The Queensland Government is delivering on its promise to make better use of the traditional land management skills of indigenous people to manage our new wild river regions,’’ he said.

“The program not only provides protection for the world-class natural values of the area but also creates much-needed full-time jobs in remote Aboriginal communities.”

Last year the Queensland Government declared the State’s first six wild rivers – the Settlement, Morning Inlet, Gregory and Staaten in the Gulf and Hinchinbrook and Fraser Islands.

The Queensland Government then announced earlier this year that a total of 20 indigenous wild river rangers are being appointed to manage these wild rivers.

“This contract with the Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation means that 16 of the 20 rangers have now been confirmed to work in various areas of the region,” Mr Wallace said.

Rangers already in place across the region, include:

·six rangers based in the Gulf of Carpentaria at Doomadgee and Burketown,

·three rangers at the Pormpuraaw Land and Sea Centre,

·three rangers at Mapoon, and

·a further ranger working from the Kowanyama Aboriginal Land and Natural Resource Management Office.

“These locally employed rangers will work with elders to preserve wetlands and ecosystems of high biodiversity or cultural significance,” Mr Wallace said.

Key functions include recording traditional stories, local species and habitats; helping with visitor management; controlling weeds, feral animals, fire and other threats to the river systems.

“Being locally employed, the rangers already have many skills and links with the country they will be caring for,” Mr Wallace said.

The remaining four of the first 20 rangers are expected to be announced soon.

The ranger program will be evaluated in 2009 with a view to further expanding the number of rangers.

“This is great news for the region. The program not only provides protection for the world class natural values of the area but also creates much needed jobs in remote indigenous communities,” Mr Wallace said.

Declaration as a wild river protect pristine and near-pristine rivers for future generations by controlling activities in high impact areas immediately adjacent to those rivers.

Contact: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.