Bindal Elder welcomes ALP strategy for wilderness protection State’s parks to get $60m

INDIGENOUS rangers and tourism operators will be the winners in a $60m ALP plan to protect and grow Queensland’s national parks.

Environment Minister Leeanne Enoch announced the Queensland Protected Area Strategy 2020-2030 on Saturday.

It followed outcry from green groups, which had accused the government of failing to deliver a 2017 election promise to protect 17 per cent of wilderness areas.

North Queensland’s Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation operates an Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger program, cafe and cultural tours.

Its rangers carry out management and preservation duties, including pest control, biodiversity surveys on protected species and habitats, turtle monitoring, tagging, tracking and protection work with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and James Cook University, and recording and maintenance of cultural heritage sites.

Bindal Elder and chairman Eddie Smallwood said the 10year strategy provided a unique opportunity for North Queensland given its “untapped” cultural attractions and landmarks.

He said it was “long overdue” and a “significant” step towards acknowledging traditional ownership and knowledge.

“It’s untapped because there’s no Indigenous tourism between Rockhampton and Cairns and yet we have such a large footprint as Bindal people,” Mr Smallwood said.

“It’s about sharing the culture and also the scientific and medical side of it with bush tucker too.

“Around the Townsville region, we’ve got a lot of rock art so it would be good for our rangers to be able to show it off.”

The Protected Area Strategy promises to double the number of Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to 200, spend $28m on property acquisitions across the state for dedication as protected areas, and expand the Private Protected Areas Program that supports landholders to establish nature refuges and special wildlife reserves on their land.

In the Year of Indigenous Tourism, Mr Smallwood said it would be nice for the community to get behind and support all that Indigenous culture offers.

“For us it’s about getting tourism up and running and gives that self identity and purpose for our people,” he said.

Bindal Elder Eddie Smallwood is pleased with the parks plan.

Picture: EVAN MORGAN