Gidarjil Development Corporation receive $8.4M to keep their Indigenous rangers operational until 2028

“Indigenous rangers are an integral part of our community, protecting and conserving country.”

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington, Gidarjil ranger Ron Blair, and Burnett MP Stephen Bennett check the equipment that local indigenous rangers use for traditional fire management.

A Central Queensland and Wide Bay organisation recently received a huge grant courtesy of the LNP’s commitment to Indigenous Rangers in Flynn.

In the latest Indigenous Ranger Program grant round, Gidarjil Development Corporation received $8,429,152 to fund its operations until 2028.

Federal Member for Flynn, Ken O’Dowd said the funding would provide job security and allow Gidarjil Development Corporation to develop new activities so it could continue to care for country.

“Indigenous rangers are an integral part of our community, protecting and conserving country,” Mr O’Dowd said.

“The ranger work includes weed and pest management, marine monitoring and maintenance, habitat restoration, threatened species management including of turtles and dugongs and preserving cultural assets and connection to country.

“Another 12 full time equivalent positions will be created through this funding. These career pathways and training pipelines develop deep relationships with a range of related sectors to see the benefits of the ranger program spread out further into our community.

“It takes multiple skill sets and areas of expertise to successfully manage country across Australia’s diverse landscape and that’s why Gidarjil has been selected, to ensure Flynn continues to receive the care it needs from the people who know it best.”

Mr O’Dowd said the Gidarjil Land Rangers focused their work around the Granite Creek area which was the ancestral home of the Gurang clan.

“The Gidarjil Sea Rangers undertake work in the Sea Country region of the Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) Traditional Owners, caring for Sea Country in both coastal and marine environments from the Burrum River, north to the area around Agnes Water,” he said.

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, explained the funding was part of the more than $746 million Indigenous Rangers Program.

“The Liberal Nationals Government is delivering on its commitment to long-term funding for the Indigenous Ranger Program, with 80 organisations selected to continue caring for Australia’s natural and cultural landscape for the next seven years,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This commitment helps ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters to the benefit of all Australians.

“In addition to protecting Australia’s environmental and heritage assets, caring for country generates economic opportunities and social and cultural benefits for indigenous peoples that strengthen the wellbeing of communities and benefit Australia as a whole.”

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the expert knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rangers about Country played a critical role in Australia’s national biosecurity system.

“Northern Australia poses a high-risk pathway for exotic pests and diseases that threaten our agriculture, our export markets and our environment,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Australia’s First Nation peoples, including Indigenous Ranger groups have made important contributions to the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy initiative since its inception in 1989.

“The rangers help provide early surveillance and detection of emerging biosecurity threats across the north that protects the nation’s $66 billion agricultural industries and our communities.

“They undertake aquatic, animal and plant health surveillance, insect trapping, plant host mapping and community-based biosecurity engagement and awareness.

“The Australian Government is investing over $7 million this year to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in biosecurity activities and capability building initiatives.

“We thank our Indigenous Rangers for their work to protect our status as a nation free from many of the world’s most destructive pests and diseases.”