An area in our region called the northern Brigalow Belt is one of fifteen national biodiversity hotspots in Australia.
North Queensland Dry Tropics (Land & Water Solutions), in partnership with Greening Australia, the Environmental Protection Agency and landholders are undertaking a project funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country program to enhance biodiversity values in core areas of the northern Brigalow Belt.
In this area, graziers are being encouraged to incorporate environmental stewardship and create corridors of native habitat across the region.
Doug Willis, North Queensland Dry Tropics NRM Data Manager, said: “the project recognises the efforts of graziers in protecting habitat on their properties and encourages them to commit to perpetual voluntary conservation agreements over their properties, and thus increase the National Reserve System.
“The aim is to have a network of connected habitat areas protecting biodiversity in the region but also complimenting the existing grazing operations,” he said.
Property activities include: protecting remnant vegetation, particularly threatened ecosystems and riparian areas; and managing total grazing pressure to encourage a healthy environment for native plants and animals.
“The northern Brigalow Belt bioregion is an important area for our native species and has been identified as one of fifteen national biodiversity hotspots in Australia,” said Doug.
Bob Osborne, Greening Australia Manager North Queensland, said: “The graziers who are environmental stewards in this program take their role seriously and have the goal of improving the condition of the land and the biodiversity values they are in charge of.”
The northern Brigalow Belt is an area in the North Queensland Dry Tropics region that encompasses Townsville, Bowen, Collinsville and Eungella. A map of the area is attached.
13 March, 2009
Image: Northern Brigalow Belt map
See attached: Littoral Rainforest and Coastal Vine Thickets of Eastern Australia EPBC 3.9 document.
