People interested in playing a role in the new Natural Resource Management Group being established for Cape York only have a short amount of time to nominate or register to vote.
The deadline for nominations and registrations to vote is Friday 23 April.
Bob Sullivan, former Mayor Cook Shire Council and member of the Cape York NRM Board Steering Committee said the new organisation 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.
Cape York is the last region in Queensland to have an endorsed regional NRM group established.
Andrew Drysdale, CEO Queensland Regional NRM Groups Collective, the peak body representing those 13 regional groups believes the new organisation will be in a unique position to leverage funds for managing the Cape’s unique environment and support people to adopt better land management practices.
“Across the state, regional natural resource management bodies have worked closely with their communities to develop resource management plans, secure Australian and Queensland government funding and build relationships with land managers to ensure sustainability across industries,” Drysdale said.
“Our community-based model for managing natural resources in Queensland is heralded as a good example of what communities can do when they work together,” he said. “The new Cape York regional natural resource management group will be supported to build strong relationships throughout the Cape, resulting in good land management and the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.”
“By working together, it is hoped that more investment will be attracted to the cape, particularly for natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and conservation outcomes,” Drysdale said.
Registrations to vote, along with nominations for positions on the inaugural board of the Cape York Regional Natural Resource Management Group close 23 April 2010. 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 visiting www.rgc.org.au/news.
