Cape York Natural Resource Management is urging all residents to complete a questionnaire to have their say on the development of the 10-year Cape York Peninsula Land and Water Plan. Photo: Supplied.
The natural beauty of the Cape York Peninsula is part of the reason so many people call the region home, and they are now being asked to have their say on how it should be protected over the coming decade.
Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM), on behalf of the region, is calling on all residents to have their say in the development of the Cape York Peninsula Land and Water Plan, which will capture the future management of natural resources to safeguard these, communities and livelihoods.
The organisation launched a public questionnaire on 21 February, 2024, and is seeking a wide range of views on the top priorities for protecting people, culture, business, water, flora and fauna.
The results will be combined with current scientific research and knowledge drawn from First Nations peoples, land managers, and the community on the history and culture of the region.
Cape York NRM chief executive officer Pip Schroor said it was hoped the plan would pave a pathway to sustainability in the region.
“It will serve as a comprehensive framework for sustainable natural resource management (NRM) across all scales,” she said.
“It builds on and adapts previous NRM plans to take into account the changing climate and its impacts.
“The unprecedented flooding that swept through our region in December 2023 has left indelible marks on communities, homes, livelihoods, and the environment [and] it highlights the urgency of proactive measures to build resilience and effective resource management strategies.”
The plan will inform the State Government on the key actions and funding approaches needed over the next 10 years to build resilience, and to maintain and improve the health and productivity of the land, waters, soils, habitats and biodiversity.
“While Cape York NRM is coordinating the creation of the plan, it does not belong to us; it is a plan for the whole of the Cape York Peninsula community,” Ms Schroor said.
“We have already talked with many groups and individuals as we go about our work on the Cape, but we can’t get to everyone.
“So to complement our engagement, we developed this simple questionnaire to harness the views of all Cape York Peninsula residents, from farmers, graziers, business owners and Indigenous land managers, to Traditional Owners, scientists, environmentalists and tour guides.
“The strength and success of this plan hinges on everyone adding their views so that it will reflect the diverse needs and interests of our community and be grounded in the realities of life on the Cape.”
The questionnaire is available at: https://capeyorknrm.com.au/campaigns/land-and-water-questionnaire.
