New Land and Sea Rangers for Southern and Western Downs

The Palaszczuk Government has announced four new ranger positions for the Bunya landscape as part of the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program.

Minister for Environment Leeanne Enoch announced Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation was one of seven organisations in Queensland that would benefit from the Palaszczuk Government’s $8.1 million funding boost for more than 20 Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers.

“Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers contribute greatly to the protection of Queensland’s environment and Indigenous cultural heritage,” Ms Enoch said.

“Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation will have four new ranger positions who will help with landscape management and undertake various projects in areas including Cattle Creek, Russell Park, Bunya Mountains, Ban Ban Springs and North Burnett.

“The rangers’ focus will be on “Strengthening Songlines” across the Bunya landscape.

“Some of these projects include undertaking fencing and track upgrades at Cattle Creek, protecting grassland balds through weed and fire management throughout Russell Park and National Park, undertaking fire management for unused stock routes, monitoring native grass establishment, and revamping and improving the existing yarning circle adjacent to the Ration Shed at Cherbourg to support increased community engagement.”

Ms Enoch said the Palaszczuk Government announced funding for extra Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger positions in the 2017-18 State Budget and organisations were invited to apply for funding to secure these positions. Successful applicants were selected by an assessment panel.

“This program allows the Government to partner with Indigenous communities to care for country and provides job and training opportunities,” Ms Enoch said.

“Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers are often traditional owners who are able to draw on their valuable traditional knowledge in their conservation work.

“It is an amazing program and I am pleased our Government is able to fund 22 extra positions to extend the work in conserving environmental and cultural heritage in Queensland.

More information is available: https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/community/about-rangers

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