Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) and Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to secure a strategic partnership for sustainable management of land and sea country.
TSRA and Cape York NRM are neighbouring natural resource management bodies who work with Traditional Owner groups such as Native Title Prescribed Body Corporates (PBCs), land managers, community groups and individuals to look after land and sea country.
Both regions have incredibly high biodiversity and cultural values, and strong partnerships with Traditional Owners to support them in looking after these unique parts of northern Australia.
The MOU, signed in February, outlines ways TSRA and Cape York NRM can work together to protect their respective regions’ unique values, including through working collaboratively on issues like feral pig predation and other impacts on turtle rookeries.
Cape York NRM Chairperson Emma Jackson said the regions were home to many of Australia’s endemic and endangered species such as dugong, sea turtles and palm cockatoos.
“Cape York and the Torres Strait share similar values when it comes to natural resource management,” Mrs Jackson said.
“We have strong social and cultural connections to the land and sea.
“These connections provide lots of opportunities to work on shared projects – and support the long term sustainablity of our natural resources.”
The regions hope to work together on projects including supporting ranger exchanges, information sharing and capacity building activities, and assisting each other to develop strong bids for future funding to address regional priorities in cultural and natural resource management across Cape York and Torres Strait.
The regions will also share tools that support the delivery of best practice natural resource management.
TSRA Chair Napau Pedro Stephen AM said that the MOU signalled an important way forward for Queensland’s remote northern regions.
“Our people rely heavily on our land and sea resources, so ensuring we take care of ournatural environment is a key priority for the TSRA,” Mr Stephen said.
“For the past 12 years the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) has coordinated the delivery of natural resource management programs across the region.
“Moving forward under the MOU, the LSMU program will continue their work in the region, in collaboration with the Cape York NRM, for the betterment of our environment and our people.”
