Kaanju Ngaachi - Projects

The purpose of this project is to develop an integrated strategic approach to weed management for the northern Kaanju Homelands which encompasses some 840,000 hectares of country centred on the Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers in the uplands of central Cape York Peninsula (see map). A weed management plan has been developed guided by local Indigenous and non-Indigenous perceptions of weeds and their management.

Project Description

A number of serious weeds have been identified by northern Kaanju Traditional Owners, including the highly invasive or transformer weed species Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass), Themeda quadrivalvis (Grader grass), Urochloa mutica (Para grass), Senna obtusifolia (Sicklepod), as well as the Weed of National Significance (WONS) - Hymenachne amplexicaulis (Olive hymenachne). In addition, a number of aggressive weed species not yet present on northern Kaanju Homelands but present elsewhere in north Queensland, such as Mimosa pigra (Mimosa), Salvinia molesta (Salvinia), Hyparrhenia rufa (Thatch grass) and Crytpostegia grandiflora (Rubber vine), have the potential to colonise and spread rapidly through Kaanju lands. These species pose serious threats to northern Kaanju cultural values and to the potential for the economic independence of the northern Kaanju people, as well as adversely effecting agricultural land management systems.

The Kaanju Weed Management Plan (KWMP) has been developed for northern Kaanju Homelands following consultation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers in the region. Importantly, the plan has been developed from the 'ground up' with the involvement of all relevant land managers at all stages. A Weed Reference Group (WRG) which was formed to facilitate this process comprises northern Kaanju land managers, pastoralists, and other stakeholders in the region. Consultation has been undertaken primarily 'on country', via workshops, meetings, and in 'the field'. The KWMP identifies core milestones to be achieved in terms of sustainable weed management, their link to sustainable NRM and agriculture, as well as actions to be undertaken in order to achieve these milestones.

The approach is an integrated one that addresses the social and cultural aspects of sustainable agriculture and natural resource management. The plan outlines how the northern Kaanju people wish to address alien plant issue on their lands, and how such aspirations might best be supported by government and the non-government sector.

Importantly, the project encourages and supports Indigenous land owners and managers, and non-Indigenous leaseholders, including pastoralists, working together in a collaborative manner towards appropriate weed management and sustainable land management on country.

Project Achievements

The major achievements for the Project include:

Completion of the Kaanju Weed Management Plan
Formation of a Weed Reference Group comprising Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers in the region.
Enhanced collaborative relationships among Indigenous and non-Indigenous land managers in the region.
Opportunistic on-ground weed survey of some 120,000 ha of northern Kaanju Homelands on pastoral properties, Indigenous-held lands and other tenures, including mapping of weed infestations and enhancement of Kaanju weed database (please visit http://biablo.blolol.com/Webpage/weedlist.html.
Accredited training in plant recognition: treat weeds, collect, prepare and preserve plant specimens completed by 12 trainee land management officers/rangers.
Significant enhancement of the understanding of weeds including Indigenous and non-Indigenous local perspectives of weeds and their management.
Preparation of weed guide and brochure for northern Kaanju Homelands.
Greater understanding of how the management of pest plants fits into natural resource management generally.
Opportunistic weed control measures implemented on approximately 62,650 ha of country targeting Olive Hymenachne, lucerne, Sida cordifolia (Flannel bush), Pseudelephantopus spicatus (Tobacco weed), Centrosema molle (Centro), Senna occidentalis (Coffee senna) and Snake weed.
Incorporation of the implementation of the KWMP into the work program of the Chuulangun Rangers for the next five years (The Chuulangun Ranger Program is supported by the Australian Government Working on Country Program under the Caring for Our Country Initiative, the State of Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water Wild River Rangers Program, and Bush Heritage Australia).

For more information on Kaanju weed management or to view the Kaanju Weed Management Plan please contact Chuulangun Aboriginal Corporation.