Cape York Peninsula Natural Resource Management Plan FINAL DRAFT
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Cape York Peninsula Natural Resource Management Plan FINAL DRAFT 11 February 2005 Cape York Peninsula Foreword Jim Petrich Chair, Cape York Interim Advisory Group This is the Cape York Peninsula Natural Resource Management Plan. The aim of the Plan is to ensure that natural resources are well managed, and protected where required, for the benefit of us all and future generations. Cape York Peninsula is one of the natural resource management regions of Queensland (others in the Northern Region include the Wet Tropics, Burdekin Dry Tropics, Southern Gulf Catchments. Northern Gulf Catchments and Torres Strait). Cape York Peninsula is an extremely diverse region, characterised by a broad range of environmental, social and economic values and community aspirations. In order to strategically manage the sometimes-conflicting demands on the Peninsula’s natural resources, a large number of assessments and planning studies have been undertaken in the past with varying levels of success in terms of community acceptance and measurable outcomes. During the consultation stage in developing this Plan the people of Cape York Peninsula made it clear that they are tired of planning and want to see more action. Even so, they are patiently putting this document forward as a way of explaining, again, the good ideas already put forward in the host of regional and sub-regional plans that are listed in Section 4. Chief among these is the Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy (CYPLUS). This time the ideas are being put forward in ways that will make it easy for both the Queensland and Australian Governments to ‘accredit’ them as a Natural Resource Management Plan. Once it is accredited, funding should be freed-up for the on- ground work that everyone on Cape York Peninsula is anxious to see. One thing about the accreditation process is that it calls for clear targets. These targets are set out for each of our natural resource assets in Section 7. In some ways, that is the most important part of this document. Targets will give the people responsible for doing the work more incentive to finish things on time and on budget. People will be more accountable for achieving what they said they would do. Despite their frustration, people throughout Cape York Peninsula have, through the consultation process required for accreditation, shown remarkable goodwill in helping once again to contribute ideas about what needs doing. Their strong words and their constructive ideas have made a difference. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that everything in this plan will be funded by NHT2 (The Natural Heritage Trust). Instead, the plan will inform a Regional Investment Strategy, that many different bodies may invest in, into the future through negotiated partnerships. Natural Resource Management Plan Page i Cape York Peninsula What can be guaranteed is that Cape York Peninsula will continue to be recognised nationally and internationally for its vibrant cultures, its vast intact landscapes and its diverse environmental values. These combine to create an area of singularly outstanding natural and cultural significance within which the sensitive development of resources has been achieved. This special mix of social, environmental and economic features underlies Cape York Peninsula’s distinctive regional identity. Yours sincerely Jim Petrich Natural Resource Management Plan Page ii Cape York Peninsula Acronyms Acronym Title CAMBA China Australia Migratory Birds Agreement COAG Council of Australian Governments CYPPAC Cape York Peninsula Pest Advisory Committee CYPLUS Cape York Peninsula Land Use Study CYRAG Cape York Regional Advisory Group CYRAP Cape York Regional Advisory Panel CYP 2010 A Natural Heritage Trust funded plan intended to implement the objectives of CYPLUS CYPIAG Cape York Peninsula Interim Advisory Group CYWAFAP Cape York Weeds & Feral Animals Program DOGIT Deed of Grant in Trust DPI&F Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries EPA Queensland Environmental Protection Agency GBRMPA Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority HOA Heads of Agreement HOAIG Heads of Agreement Implementation Group MAT Management Action Target JAMBA Japan Australia Migratory Birds Agreement NR&M Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines NRM Natural Resource Management NHT 1 Natural Heritage Trust program stage 1 NHT 2 Natural Heritage Trust program stage 2 ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NOO National Oceans Office RAMSAR International agreement for the protection of Wetlands RCT Resource Condition Target TUMRA Traditional Use of Marine Resource Agreement WONS Weeds of National Significance Natural Resource Management Plan Page iii Cape York Peninsula Glossary best practice/ best practice Best practice management recognises that it is rarely possible to undertake any management (BMP) activity perfectly. In the case of NRM, activities can be undertaken in accordance with best practice which aims to minimise environmental impact but recognises that some environmental impacts will still occur. Best practice manages those impacts. biodiversity The totality of genes, species, and ecosystems in a region or the world. Communities In this document the term “communities” is used to describe settlements, as well as various groupings of people. It is used for all the people of Cape York Peninsula – Indigenous and non-Indigenous. geoevolution The world’s or a region’s geological evolutionary history including the geological processes that have contributed to the development of landforms and geological and physical features. geodiversity The range (or diversity) of geological (bedrock), geomorphological (landform) and soil features, assemblages, systems and processes. protocol A code of correct conduct. Wilderness Wilderness area is an area which is, or can be restored to be: of sufficient size to enable the long term protection of its natural ecosystems and biodiversity substantially undisturbed by colonial and modern technological society and remote at its core from points of mechanised access and other evidence of colonial or modern technological society. Wilderness areas are generally determined on the basis of remoteness and naturalness. This does not mean that the land is without human history. In Cape York Peninsula, Aboriginal custodianship and customary practices have been, and in many places continue to be, significant factors in maintaining what non- indigenous people describe as “wilderness”. Natural Resource Management Plan Page iv Cape York Peninsula Contents Acronyms .....................................................................................................................iii Glossary........................................................................................................................iv Contents.........................................................................................................................v Development of the Plan ...........................................................................................viii The Development of the NRM Plan ...................................................................................viii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................viii Disclaimer ..........................................................................................................................viii Executive Summary.....................................................................................................ix 1 Scope and Context for this Plan ........................................................................1 1.1 Cape York Natural Heritage Trust Plan .................................................................1 1.2 Scope of this NRM Plan.........................................................................................3 1.3 Context ..................................................................................................................4 1.4 Links with Other Policies and Plans.....................................................................15 2 A Vision for Cape York Peninsula....................................................................19 2.1 The Vision............................................................................................................19 2.2 Decision-Making Principles..................................................................................19 2.3 The Challenge for the Future...............................................................................27 2.4 Implementation of the Plan ..................................................................................27 3 An Overview of Cape York Peninsula..............................................................28 3.1 The Region at a Glance.......................................................................................28 3.2 Natural Heritage Values.......................................................................................35 3.3 History of the People ...........................................................................................39 3.4 The People of Cape York Peninsula Now ...........................................................41 3.5 Local Governments’ Capacity to Pay for Natural Resource Management...........45 4 Working Together ..............................................................................................46 4.1 A Strong Foundation............................................................................................46