Joint Management Starts for the Adelaide River Parks
The joint management planning process for the Adelaide River parks started in 2007 with a gathering of parks staff and traditional owners to discuss what the joint management process involves. The joint management objectives were outlined and the role of the Land Council was discussed to protect the interests of the traditional owners, distribute incomes and assist traditional owners to realise opportunities and aspirations on country. A
traditional owner planning team was selected for consultation this group will report back to the larger group to determine what will go into the plan.
The initial information day explained about the legislation, the history of joint management, how government decisions are currently made and how the parks are managed.
The parks included in this plan include Fogg Dam and Harrison’s Dam conservation areas, Melacca Swamp, Black Jungle and Lambell’s Lagoon conservation reserves.
These parks fall into traditional Wulna estate with neighbouring interests from Larrakia and Limilngan.
These parks are located in the semi rural area of Darwin. Urban expansion, water table levels and seasonal visitor use all impact significantly on the reserves. They are also the most accessible reserves outside of Darwin where visitors can experience the wonders of Top End wetlands.
During 2008 the Parks and Wildlife Service and the traditional owners are holding planning days where decisions will be made together on future park management of;
- visitors
- weeds
- feral animals
- fire
- traditional use of the parks
- heritage values and
- future enterprise development opportunities.
The planning group will hold governance training days through the year to help set up future decision making processes for park management.
Consultation is ongoing with other park user groups including scientists conducting research, tourism organisations, and friends of groups and others to ensure all interests are considered in the planning process. Parks staff and the traditional owners are looking forward to working with each other and the community to write this plan by the end of the year.
For more information please contact Prue Adamson 08 8999 4813.
