Natural Asset Management

Local governments in Far North Queensland are working together with key stakeholders to identify, quantify and integrate an understanding of the region's many significant natural assets into day-to-day operations, long-term planning and governance.

To date, the management of natural resources has been delivered through dedicated operational units within parks and gardens or environmental health. Our capacity in delivering invasive species management and landscape restoration has evolved alongside key roles in planning, community awareness and education. A major obstacle to the mainstream adoption of many of these initiatives has been the limited integration and relevance across all areas of service delivery.

A array of regional projects underway across the Far North are building linkages between key areas of activity and are bringing new relevance and understanding to both the values and threats which influence the region's natural environment and lifestyle. Central to this is the development of a range of spatial data products and assessments which aim to build a uniform and region-wide understanding of our natural assets. Ultimately the challenge is to incorporate these values into not only day-to-day business, but into the long-term vision for our future communities and landscapes.

Latest News - April 2012

(see our Newsletter for all FNQROC news...)

The good news is that most of these nominated species are a high priority for management for the Far North as they are either major ongoing issues like water hyacinth (CRC, HSC), or pending eradication cases like fireweed (TRC). The nomination as WoNS will assist in making external resources available for management, although recent experience has shown that is something of shrinking resource nationally. The downside is that we are still uncertain as to what the implications are in real terms for the existing 20 WoNS (of which we manage seven) which are undergoing a ‘phasing out’ of national coordination. Phasing out essentially equates to winding back national management groups and national coordinators (so they can focus resources on the new additions) who have played an integral role brokering the delivery of the national management strategy for each weed. Delivery against the national strategies will now be in the hands of State Government and regional and local stakeholders.

gamba_this_one_russell_graham

water_this_one_sheldon_navie

belly_ache_this_one

Some new weeds expected to be on the WoNS radar...from top: gamba grass (photo Russell Graham), water hyacinth (photo Sheldon Navie) and bellyache bush.

Several Local Government staff members from around the region have been involved in the development of the national strategies underway (gamba grass, bellyache bush, water hyacinth) so our expertise and views will be incorporated and have been well represented on the national stage. The strategy development workshops have been a great opportunity to not only contribute to the national focus on these weeds, but equally as valuable a chance to create networks with other management entities from around the country.

National Biodiversity Corridors Strategy

The Commonwealth Government (SEWPAC) has released a draft national biodiversity corridors strategy. We are in conference with other stakeholders across the region and will provide a Far Northern Local Government perspective in the feedback process.

Pending the outcomes of the forthcoming State budget following the election we will be working with regional stakeholders to begin a dialogue with the incoming government in regard to our key interests in natural assets (weeds, pests, fire, biodiversity). In due course we will be calling on our new Councils to support our communications and lobby in this arena.

Information, Publications and Resources

Regional Projects

Working Groups and Committees

Regional Natural Asset Management Coordinator

Travis Sydes

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: 0448 852 732