BLIGH GOVERNMENT APPOINTS CAPE YORK ADVISORY COMMITTEES

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace and Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation Andrew McNamara today announced the creation of two new advisory committees to assist with the implementation of the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007.

Minister Wallace said the creation of the Cape York Peninsula Regional Advisory Committee and the Cape York Peninsula Region Scientific and Cultural Advisory Committee was a key step forward for the historic Act, which was passed by parliament in November 2007.

“The creation of these committees will provide the Bligh Government with independent community and industry based advice on all aspects of land use and natural resource management on the Cape,” Mr Wallace said.

“A key initiative of the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2: Tomorrow’s Queensland is protecting our lifestyle and environment by protecting more areas to secure our unique biodiversity and protecting green space as part of regional planning processes throughout the state.

“The creation of these committees will help us to strike a balance between the Cape York community's need for economic development opportunities and the need to protect the natural and cultural values of the region.

“This is about the long-term sustainable management of Cape York Peninsula's unique natural assets and the future of important industries such as grazing, tourism and mining.”

Minister McNamara said the two committees would provide considerable support to Government to ensure the aims of the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 were met.

"The scientific and cultural advisory committee will be composed of professionals appointed for their high levels of expertise and experience in matters relating to the environment, rural and regional development, cultural heritage and economic development,” Mr McNamara said.

“Their advice on matters relating to the natural and cultural values of land identified for declaration as areas of international conservation significance or as indigenous community use areas will be particularly important in the decision-making process for these issues."

Cape York Peninsula Region Scientific and Cultural Advisory Committee members are:
• Professor Nigel Stork (chair) - Head of Department of Resource Management and Geography, University of Melbourne;
• Dr Lesley Clark – consultant and former Member for Barron River;
• Barry Hunter – Indigenous Land Management Facilitator for Cape York, Northern Gulf, Torres Strait and Southern Gulf;
• Professor Brendan Mackey - Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University;
• Dr Joe Miller - Consultant and former Queensland Department of Primary Industries senior research scientist;
• Dr Dermot Smyth - Consultant with significant experience regarding Indigenous Cultural Heritage in northern Australia;
• Professor Owen Stanley - School of Business, James Cook University; and
• Professor Peter Valentine - Head of School Earth and Environment Sciences, James Cook University.

The regional advisory committee is a community-based team, with a strong Indigenous representation, comprising members with a wide range of experience in areas such as conservation, grazing, mining, tourism and local government.

Cape York Peninsula Regional Advisory Committee members are:
• Mike Berwick (chair) - former mayor of Douglas Shire;
• Allan Creek (grazing) - President of the Northern Cattlemen’s Alliance, Chairperson Kulla Land Trust and Director Balkanu Development Corporation.
• Russell Boswell (tourism) - Over 10 years’ experience in tourism industry in North Queensland and Cape York.
• Peter Scott (local government) - Mayor of Cook Shire Council;
• Richie Ah Mat (Indigenous) - Director for Which Way Consultancy, Balkanu board member;
• Priscilla Blanco (Indigenous) - Presently employed in the mining industry and has been an active community worker in the provision of health services in North Queensland;
• David Claudie (Indigenous) - Chairman, Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation;
• Michael Ross (Indigenous) – Chair, Cape York Land Council, Chair/member Edmulpa Aboriginal Corporation;
• Ray Wallis (Indigenous) - Traditional owner and member of the Wuthathi Land Trust;
• Mike Winer (Indigenous) - Current Project Manager Conservation for Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership;
• Edwin Woodley (Indigenous) - Economic Development Officer Rennerra Muthtinja Aboriginal Corporation.
• Glenn Walker (conservation - Wild Rivers Campaigner, The Wilderness Society;
• Leah Talbot (conservation) - Cape York Program Officer, Australian Conservation Foundation;
• Peter Kenny (grazing) - President of AgForce and board member of National Farmers’ Federation; and
• Frances Hayter (mining) - Director Environment and Social Policy with Queensland Resources Council.

Mr Wallace said members of both committees would undergo an induction process and convene for their first meetings as soon as possible.

Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office, 3896 3688, and Minister McNamara’s office, 3336 8032.