Two local groups receive significant funding for turtle conservation projects

Nest to Ocean: The Gidarjil Development Corporation and Burnett Mary Regional Group have received significant funding boosts to support their turtle conservation efforts.

A Turtle Hatchling makes a break for the ocean after climbing free from their nest in the dunes on Mon Repos near Bundaberg. Photo Lachie Millard

Two of the region’s not-for-profit organisations will have more than $300,000 between them to put towards their ongoing efforts to protect turtles.

The Gidarjil Development Corporation will receive $162,716 while the Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) will receive $150,000 for their project in round five of the Queensland Government’s Nest to Ocean program.

CEO of Gidarjil Development Corporation Dr Kerry Blackman said this was great news for Port Curtis Coral Coast Traditional Owners.

“We have a deep and enduring spiritual connection to marine turtles and to our sea country,” Dr Blackman said.

“This project will enable the Gidarjil Sea Ranger team to continue to protect nesting turtles, hatchlings and clutches from fox predation and entanglement or ingestion from marine debris.

CEO of Gidarjil Development Corporation Dr Kerry Blackman.

“It is vitally important that Traditional Owners are able to care for and manage their sea country for the benefit of all Australians.”

“Funding support for programs like this continue to make the Gidarjil land and sea program one of the strongest in Australia.”

Meanwhile BMGR will use the funding to work on their Taking Turtles off the Menu project from Bundaberg to Agnes Water.

It aims to reduce residential and traffic light pollution with the installation of shade screening on the beach, remove marine debris that can harm turtles, restore nesting habitat and community engagement and education initiatives.

Burnett Mary River Group CEO Sheila Charlesworth said the grant was extremely important to help protect turtles in the region.

“Our region is internationally renowned for its marine turtle nesting sites,” Ms Charlesworth said.

“These sites support significant breeding populations of endangered loggerhead turtles and vulnerable green and flatback turtles.

“These iconic species experience a range of serious threats to their survival. That’s why we are passionate about carrying out these projects and working with our partner organisations to do as much as we can.”

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said five community groups shared in a total of $711, 253 in funding.

Mr Smith said projects under round five of the Nest to Ocean program will protect turtle clutches and hatchlings at turtle rookeries from the Whitsundays to Bowen, Bargara to Shoalwater Bay and Aurukun to the Jardine River in western Cape York.

“Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven species of marine turtle. I’m pleased to say the Nest to Ocean program has monitored or protected more than 20,000 turtle nests since it began.”

“It is estimated that more than 95% of nests have survived due to predator control activities, and about 1.3 million hatchlings have been protected since the inception of the program.”

Click here for more information about the $5.8 million nest to ocean program, please visit: