BLIGH BUDGET DELIVERS FOR CAPE YORK PENINSULA LAND

The Bligh Government’s first State Budget has delivered better management over land on Cape York Peninsula and it will provide economic and administrative benefits to Indigenous people who will have management responsibilities in the region.

Acting Minister for Natural Resources and Water Warren Pitt said the Bligh Government would provide $2.3 million over five years ($700,000 in 2008-09) to improve the administrative capacity and land management skills of Indigenous councils and land trusts and to implement tenure reforms.

“The Bligh Government is planning for a better future for Cape York,” Mr Pitt said.

“These initiatives will promote economic development and the provision of essential infrastructure on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands,” he said.

In addition, the implementation of the Cape York Heritage Act 2007 is allocated $2.7 million this financial year, on top of funding of $1.9 million for 2007-08. A total of $9 million will be spent over the next four years implementing the Act.

“This Act provides for the protection of conservation values on Cape York as well as providing economic opportunities for indigenous people in the region,” Mr Pitt said.

“Of the $9 million total, $2.6 million will be applied to the Wild Rivers Implementation Program to 2010-2011 and the remaining $6.4 million will be allocated to the Cape York Task Force.

“This latter funding will support the tenure resolution process for additional State land dealings and national park properties – a joint program between the Department of Natural Resources and Water and the Environmental Protection Agency.”

Media enquiries: Paul Childs, Office of the Minister for Natural Resources and Water, 0407 131 654