More than 80 local organisations converged on Cairns for the Cape York Conversations: Pathways to Partnership workshop on 19 March to share their aspirations and experiences in sustainable land management. Photo: Christine Howes.
Land management was on the agenda when more than 80 prescribed bodies corporate (PBC), Aboriginal corporations, land trusts and ranger groups from across Cape York converged on Cairns for a workshop on 19 March.
The workshop – Cape York Conversations: Pathways to Partnership – was attended by over 100 delegates from First Nations organisations who manage Cape York land and water resources, and Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM) chief executive officer Pip Schroor said it provided a platform to share aspirations and experiences in sustainable land management.
“We have brought in Indigenous landholders from across the Cape to hold initial discussions on sustainable land management,” she said.
“This is the first gathering of its kind in the region, opening doors to new partnerships and collaboration on key initiatives.
“By fostering conversations with Indigenous landholders, this workshop will lay the foundation for future projects, drive collaboration and create meaningful pathways for sustainable land practices On Country.”
With more than 60 per cent of land on Cape York held under Aboriginal freehold or native title, Cape York NRM First Nations engagement and project officer Lachlan Bassani said it was important to get Indigenous land management leaders in the same room.
“We kept the agenda as open as we could to allow for wide-ranging discussions about what opportunities are out there and where our challenges lie,” he said.
“It was also a great opportunity to talk about funding and the possibilities for coming together on our issues.”
A Cape York First Nations Community of Practice was formed during the workshop, something Mr Bassani said would allow stakeholders to work together on a wide-ranging agenda.
“We’re excited for the possibilities,” he said.
“There are as many opportunities as there are issues on Cape York, and all of us agreeing to work together on all of it is a great thing.”
