Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Annan-Endeavour team cares for the catchment
Erosion is a major problem
Removing weeds is part of the plan
Work will keep the river healthy
Members of the Annan-Endeavour Catchment Management Group are enthusiastic about their work - so enthusiastic some drive 40 to 50 kilometres to attend group meetings.
But that goes with the territory when it comes to volunteer action north, south and west of Cooktown.
"We first began working on a Strategic Plan for the area in 1997 with both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community working together," said President of the Catchment Management Group, Diana Wood, "We did a lot of consultation but it was hard in a small, far-flung community entirely reliant on volunteers."
Funding
In 2006 Australian Government funding of $25,000 and support from the State Government helped the group complete Annan and Endeavour River Catchments Strategic Plan.
"One of the catalysts was that we wanted to maintain the existing character of the area and plan for sustainable resource management," Diana said.
"The region is facing huge changes with tourism growing dramatically and big increases in permanent residents."
Activities
The plan will be a manual that offers solutions to land management issues, rather than a document that sits on the shelf.
"The process of developing the plan has got people talking about natural resource management issues," Diana said.
"We've run workshops that have been really well-attended on subjects like water quality, weed and feral animal management, fire and erosion.
"Participating in activities such as this has helped the community realise managing natural resources sustainably is not an economic threat."
Over the years public consultation has assisted the group in identifying a number of priorities for the Catchment Management Plan.
Among these are water quality - including managing sediment flowing from unsealed roads - the impacts of tourism and of mining, and developing best practice sustainable agriculture.
"One of the reasons our plan has taken so long to get off the ground is that
in a small community there is only so much volunteer labour to go round and other things usually take priority," said Diana. "But with the burgeoning population, a Strategic Plan is needed as soon as possible and I hope that soon we'll have a handy reference document for the average person."
More information
- Diana Wood, President Annan-Endeavour Catchment Management Group: botanic_gardens@cook.qld.gov.au
- Jason Carroll, Coordinator Annan-Endeavour Catchment Management Group: catchment@cooktowns.com
See also
Key
Links to another web site
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