Indigenous knowledge sought to protect the reef's future
ENVIRONMENT
Indigenous people are being encouraged to apply for open positions with the Queensland Government to help protect the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
Applications for the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee must be submitted by the end of the week with application closing on Friday, 22 February.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said traditional owners have managed the reef for thousands of years.
“Through these new roles we are rightfully acknowledging Traditional Owners as partners in the Reef 2050 Plan,” he said.
“The Great Barrier Reef is facing some of its greatest challenges and we need to honour the unique capacity of Traditional Owners and sea country organisations to help overcome these threats.”
The Reef 2050 Advisory Committee facilitates engagement with industry and the broader community on implementing the joint Australian and Queensland Government Reef 2050 Plan.
The plan provides the overarching framework for managing the Reef to ensure its outstanding value is protected now and for generations to come.
Reef 2050 Advisory Committee Chairman Penelope Wensley AC said the involvement of indigenous people in the reef plan is vitally important.
“These new positions acknowledge the long-standing connection of Traditional Owners to their land and sea country and their critical role in ensuring the Reef is preserved for future generations,” she said.
“We can learn much from their stories, knowledge and experience as we intensify our efforts to build Reef resilience in the face of climate change and the many other pressures on the Reef.”
There is already one male Traditional Owner on the committee and expressions of interest are being sought for a female Traditional Owner to fill a second position. Proxies are also being sought for both positions.
Applicants must have:
- experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Traditional Owners and fairly representing their interests
- experience engaging in and knowledge of cross-jurisdictional Reef policy matters, particularly the Reef 2050 Plan.
More information is available at the Shine People Solutions website.
Join the conversation
Thumb up or thumb down on the subject we've covered OR
place a comment below.
* Readers are encouraged to use their full details below to ensure comment legitimacy. Comments are the opinions of readers and do not represent the views of Newsport or its staff. Comments containing unlawful, obscene, defamatory, personal or abusive material will not be published.
