After a lengthy community consultation process across Cape York, the region will soon have its own community based organisation for natural resource management planning.

For the past five years, every region of Australia, except Cape York, has been supported in natural resource planning by a regional organisation responsible for community engagement and investment in on-ground programs. And now it is the Cape’s turn.

Bob Sullivan, former Mayor Cook Shire Council and member of the Cape York NRM Board Steering Committee said the new NRM Board will provide people from across the Cape with the opportunity to contribute to discussions around natural resource management and sustainability.

“There are already 13 regional natural resource management groups operating across the state,” Sullivan said, “and these organisations have been responsible for managing millions of dollars of investment by the Queensland and Australian Governments in community environmental and natural resource programs.”

“These organisations have developed community regional plans for managing natural resources, have supported land managers with training, resources and support, have lobbied government for integrated policy and legislation, and have formed partnerships with other key groups such as industry groups, the landcare movement and local government,” Sullivan said.

Nominations are now open for positions on the inaugural board of the Cape York Regional Natural Resource Management Group and close 23 April 2010 (not March as previously advertised). Information about registering to vote, or nominating for the board is available by calling Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective on 07 4699 5000 or by downloading the document below.

Sullivan explained that the election process is being run by the Australian Electoral Commission.

“It is very important that we run a transparent election process,” Sullivan said. “We are looking forward to working with a diverse and talented group of new board members, and I encourage interested people to contact us for more information.”

Media enquiries Samantha Morris, Wombat Creative
0421 709 519 | sam@wombatcreative.com.au

Interview Bob Sullivan, Member Steering Committee
07 4069 5139