| The new KULLA National Park |
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KULLA National Park On 6th August, the Premier announced the formation of the KULLA (McIlwraith Range) National Park. KULLA is an acronym for the Kaanju, Umpila, Lamalama and the Ayapathu people, four indigenous groups with historical connection to the area. The efforts of indigenous and conservation groups (notably the Australian Conservation Foundation and The Wilderness Society) were pivotal to making the Park a reality. Five separate deeds of grant were handed over to form the Park, including land within the former Mt Croll, McIllwraith Range and Running Creek properties. This work was managed through the Queensland Government’s tenure resolution process via the Cape York Tenure Resolution Implementation Group (chaired by Queensland Government with representation from Cape York Land Council, Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, ACF and TWS). KULLA National Park covers almost 160,000 ha of the McIlwraith Range, a chain of low mountains that lies parallel to the east coast of Cape York Peninsula, extending about 80km north to south. The new Park includes:
At the heart of this historic announcement is an Indigenous Management Agreement (IMA) between the Kulla Land Trust and the EPA to jointly manage the new National Park. This agreement recognises the fundamental connection between indigenous people and the land, will provide a platform for the employment and training of Indigenous rangers, and provides a key mechanism for the Land Trust to protect Indigenous cultural heritage. Information on the EPA website sets out just how this Park will be managed: “On the 2nd November 2007 a new move towards joint management of national parks on Cape York Peninsula took effect through the proclamation of the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 (the Act). Under the Act, amendments to the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) allow for the creation of a new class of protected area called “national park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal land)” (national park [CYPAL]). This new class allows for existing and proposed national parks to become Aboriginal land and also be dedicated and managed as a national park (CYPAL). More importantly it allows for joint management of national park land by Traditional Owners (represented by a land trust) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Traditional Owners will be the owners of the land through the grant of an Aboriginal freehold title, provided the area will always be managed as a national park (CYPAL) under the NCA. Existing national parks, Aboriginal land and unallocated State land in the Cape York Peninsula region can all become national park (CYPAL). The Cape York Peninsula Region covers mainland and offshore areas including islands. Some areas are excluded as they are being dealt with under a separate process; these include Daintree, Cedar Bay and Black Mountain national parks. Joint management arrangements for a national park (CYPAL) will be established through the development of an Indigenous Management Agreement (IMA) and a park management plan. The IMA will provide the framework for the ongoing relationship between the EPA and the land trust for the management of the national park (CYPAL). The IMA sets the responsibilities of the State and the land trust in managing the national park (CYPAL). The EPA and relevant land trusts will also work together to develop management plans for each national park (CYPAL). The management plan under the NCA will be more specific in outlining resource and visitor management requirements. As joint managers of the land, Traditional Owners will be involved in all levels of park management. Traditional Owners and the EPA will work together to develop resource and visitor management policies, and operational procedures for the day-to-day management of the parks including pest animal and pest plant control, fire management, permits, presentation and facilities. As joint managers of the land, Traditional Owners may also economically benefit from contract work, commercial tourism and Indigenous ranger employment. Regional and sub-regional committees comprised of representatives of Indigenous people, including representatives from the land trusts, will be established to continue the co-operative relationship between the EPA and Traditional Owners. Sub-regional committee membership will be drawn from Indigenous people that have an interest in the area for which the committee is established and will allow Traditional Owners to speak on national park management issues. Sub-regional committees may represent an individual national park or groups of national parks in the Cape York Region. A Regional Protected Area Management Committee (RPAMC) will be established with representation from sub-regional committees or Indigenous regional organisations in the Cape York Peninsula Region, as well as the EPA. The role of the RPAMC will be to advise the Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation about matters relating to the protected area estate in Cape York Peninsula including park management plans, employment opportunities to increase Indigenous representation in the national park workforce, and provision of resources for management of the protected areas.” (http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/managing_parks_and_forests/joint_management_of_cape_york_peninsula_national_parks/) |
