Northern Gulf - Natural Resource Management region
Regional summary
The Northern Gulf region covers about 194 000 km2 and consists of the Mitchell, Gilbert, Norman and Staaten River catchments, all of which flow into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Much of the region is covered by relatively intact savannah woodland but also includes important rainforest areas in the western fall of the Great Dividing Range and associated tablelands where the region abuts the Wet Tropics. The Gulf Plains wetlands represent one of the largest intact and functionally discrete natural wetland aggregations in Australia. The wetlands exhibit a high diversity of landforms including the most extensive area of intertidal saltpans in northern Australia, extensive marine and intertidal flats with occasional seagrass beds, bays and estuaries. The region contains some of the most important areas for migratory waders in Australia.
The principal industries of the region are mining, grazing, tourism, cropping and fishing. Pastoralism represents the most extensive land use. Recreational and commercial fishing are also important. The main population centres are Karumba, Normanton, Croydon, Georgetown, and Chillagoe, and the Aboriginal community of Kowanyama.
Biodiversity summary
Biodiversity summaries and species lists for the North region have been produced by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts using the Australian Heritage Assessment Tool.
For information visit: Biodiversity summaries and species lists for natural resource management regions
Further information
Northern Gulf Resource Management Group Ltd manages this region.
For more information visit: www.northerngulf.com.au
Region summaries
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You can also use your town name to find your NRM Region.
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