Land managers from Cape York Peninsula committed to collaborate for better regional fire management at a forum in Cairns last week.
As parts of the Cape continue to burn, more than 100 land managers from local government, cattle stations, Traditional Owner groups, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and representatives from the Rural Fire Service, met in Cairns to discuss their fire management and carbon projects on Cape York.
Cape York NRM operations manager Peta Standley said a key outcome of the Cape York Fire Forum was the commitment from land managers to collaboration.
“There was a strong desire to develop, and train, a regional fire management support and response team that would be made up of people who are experienced managers of Cape York lands and who understand the challenges of fire,” Ms Standley said.
“The forum enabled connections to be made that will improve communication between neighbours on the Cape.”
Cape York NRM conservation sector director Barry Lyon said savanna burning projects were providing a real option for alternative incomes for Cape York’s land managers.
There are 33 savanna burning projects across Cape York.
“However, this year there have a high number of late season wildfires across Cape York, and it seems many have been deliberately lit,” Mr Lyon said.
“Not only does that have serious consequences for our rare and threatened species on Cape York, it also has a serious impact on the livelihoods of the people Cape York.”
Firescape Science director Dr Leasie Felderhof, who co-facilitated the event, said it was great to see the presence of a number of influential organisations who could hear firsthand the Cape issues.
