First Cab off the Rank in Land for Wildlife

HAPPENINGS - News from the Lake Eyre Basin


	...significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity in Queensland's Channel Country.
	...opportunities for landowners and their families to learn more about the ecology of their properties...
	...used as a land condition-monitoring site and to train staff in identification of pasture plant species.


	FIRST CAB OFF THE RANK IN LAND FOR WILDLIFE

Marion Downs, on the Georgina River, became first cab off the rank with the Lake Eyre Basin Land for Wildlife Project when the owner, North Australian Pastoral Company (NAPCO), registered part of the property with the program.

Bill and Rhondda Alexander with Land for Wildlife sign

Bill and Rhondda Alexander proudly displaying their Land for Wildlife sign.

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Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Longreach-based extension officer, David Akers said the registration would make a significant contribution to the protection of biodiversity in Queensland's Channel Country.

“This registration is a first for western Queensland and a first for the Lake Eyre Basin Land for Wildlife project,” Mr Akers said.

Retiring Marion Downs managers and long-time NAPCO staff members, Bill and Rhondda Alexander said the area nominated had a double frontage to the Georgina River and included floodplains and a permanent waterhole.

Bill said the site contained a diverse range of plant species and was a significant breeding area and dry-season refuge for native fauna.

“Included in the site is one of the original paddocks that is no longer used and has been unstocked for at least 15 years,” he said.

“Once heavily impacted by the horses, goats and milking cows needed to manage and supply the huge station and its staff – Marion Downs is more than one million hectares – the site has recovered and is now an excellent example of Channel Country ecology.”

NAPCO chief executive officer Nigel Alexander said the voluntary listing reflected the company’s policy of environmentally sustainable land management and recognised the unique values of the Channel Country ecology.

Nigel said the Land for Wildlife site would remain unstocked and would be used as a land condition-monitoring site and to train staff in identification of pasture plant species.

David Akers said the Lake Eyre Basin Land for Wildlife project was a cooperative venture involving QPWS, the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group, the shires of Diamantina, Barcaldine, Tambo and Barcoo, and the Natural Heritage Trust.

“The project aims to acknowledge property management practices that benefit ecology as well as production, and to provide opportunities for landowners and their families to learn more about the ecology of their properties through field-based activities with QPWS technical staff,” he said.

“Registration is voluntary and is not linked to land title.

“All or part of a property may be registered and there is no requirement to change the land use.”

For more information about the Lake Eyre Basin Land for Wildlife project, phone David Akers on 4652 7333 or the Lake Eyre Basin Coordinating Group 4658 0600.

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