Community consultation, engagement and collaboration
Community collaboration is essential for the planning, implementation and evaluation of natural resource projects and activities in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region. Consultation, engagement and collaboration takes place at all levels, from small regional groups and individual landholders, through to state and commonwealth government departments. Consultation, engagement and collaboration also take place in formal and informal ways, with differing levels dependent on the nature, location and focus of the project or activity. All natural resource management projects and activities rely on the collaboration between different stakeholders and community members.
As part of the activities for the current Regional Landcare Partnerships program, a Community Participation Plan was developed, which can be accessed here.
Community members and stakeholders for natural resources in the Burdekin Dry Tropics include a diverse range of groups and organisations, each of which contribute to natural resource management in the region. These are listed below:
| Sector / Area of Interest or Expertise | Organisations and Groups |
|
NRM and Conservation |
Bowen and Collinsville Landcare group Coastal Dry Tropics Landcare Inc Dalrymple Landcare Committee (DLC) Lower Burdekin Landcare Association Woodstock Landcare Toomulla Coastcare Mundy Creek Catchment Care Greening Australia Conservation Volunteers Australia Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Authority Committee (BBIFMAC) Central Highlands Regional Resources Use Planning Cooperative (CHRRUP) Desert Uplands Build-up and Development Strategy Committee Wunjunga Progress Association Ravenswood Restoration and Preservation Association Birdlife Townsville Magnetic Island Nature Care Association North Queensland Conservation Council North Queensland Wildlife Care Inc Queens Beach Action Group NRM Regions Queensland Member groups NQ Dry Tropics Tangaroa Blue |
|
Traditional Owner Groups and Corporations
|
Traditional Owners and Registered Native Title Representative Corporations or Prescribed Body Corporates: Bidjara Bindal Birriah Gia Gudjala Gugu Badhun Iningai Jangga Juru Manbarra Nywaigi Wangan/Jagalingou Warrungnu Widi Wulgurukaba Yirendali Indigenous Corporations, including but not limited to:- Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation Girringun Aboriginal Corporation Three Big Rivers On Common Country Juru Enterprises Limited The Vegetation Guys Jangga (Extrastaff) |
| Industry |
Queensland Farmers Federation AgForce Queensland Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Farmacist Burdekin Productivity Services Lower Burdekin Water Sunwater CANEGROWERS Burdekin Kalamia Cane Growers & Kalagro Pioneer Cane Growers Growcom Meat & Livestock Australia |
| Science and Research |
James Cook University CSIRO Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS) Sugar Research Australia Tropwater Griffith University Central Queensland University |
| Great Barrier Reef |
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Office of Great Barrier Reef Great Barrier Reef Foundation Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership Reef Alliance |
| Local Government |
Townsville City Council Burdekin Shire Council Charters Towers Regional Council Palm Island Shire Council Whitsunday Regional Council Isaac Regional Council Mackay Regional Council Barcaldine Regional Council |
| State Government |
Department of Environment & Science Department of Agriculture & Fisheries Department of Natural Resources, Mining & Energy |
| Federal Government | Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment |
Each of these groups or organisations provide one or more of the following to the management of natural resources in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region:
- Input based on knowledge and expertise
- Information or data
- Site access
- Access to further networks
- Promotion of natural resource management and projects
- Physical assistance and support
- Funding
- In-kind contributions
- Specialist knowledge and skills
- Monitoring and reporting
- Strategic direction, advice and guidance
A number of NRM Community advisory panels have been established to provide a structured and transparent mechanism for NRM community involvement in setting strategic direction for programs and projects in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region.
NRM Plan Advisory Panel
NQ Dry Tropics is responsible for the development, maintenance and publication of the regional NRM Plan, however the plan belongs to the NRM community of the region. To ensure that different stakeholder and community groups’ knowledge and experience informs the plan, including amendments, monitoring and implementation, the NRM Plan Advisory Panel has been formed. The Panel includes members from the grazing and cane industries, Traditional Owners, local and state government, scientific and research institutions, water service providers, community landcare and ecological service providers and meets twice a year to review and implement the NRM Plan. The Panel first met in 2019 and will conclude its current term in 2023 with the end of the Regional Land Partnerships II program.
Traditional Owner
Management Group
The Traditional Owner Management Group is comprised of representatives of the Traditional Owner groups whose traditional land is partially or fully within the Burdekin Dry Tropics region. The group normally meets twice annually, facilitated by NQ Dry Tropics, to provide advice and direction for natural resource management in the region, including ensuring that the aspirations of Traditional Owners for land and sea management are represented in natural resource planning and implementation.
Ramsar Management Advisory Group (RMAG)
As part of the Restoration of the Ramsar Wetlands Bowling Green Bay a Ramsar Management Advisory Group (RMAG) has been established to drive, support and enhance communication and management concerning conservation outcomes of the site. The RMAG membership includes stakeholders such as relevant state and local government, Traditional Owners, water service providers and non-government organisations with a specific interest in the site. The RMAG provides advice for ongoing management of the site, in line with requirements under Commonwealth and State legislation, guidelines and principles. A significant role of RMAG is to facilitate and encourage involvement in a shared vision for the management of the site between existing on-ground managers, and the wider community.
Burdekin Regional Pest Management Group
The Burdekin Regional Pest Management Group brings together core agencies in pest management, including regional landcare and industry representatives, infrastructure managers, local and state government, and community members such as Traditional Owners. The group provides strategic direction and collaboratively oversees implementation of the Burdekin Regional Pest Management Strategy.