The Kakadu Board embarked on the development of the sixth management plan for Kakadu in December 2011 with the following year full of consultations with traditional owners and relevant Bininj on the various themes of the plan including; the planning process and park values, Country, Tourism and Joint Management. The Board also held a number of special meetings to work through the information gathered from traditional owner consultations. The draft management plan for Kakadu is expected to be released early in December 2014 and will be open for public comment for a period of 60 days to allow adequate time for people to read the plan and submit comments. The Board have requested that a Mini Plan (picture below) be developed and translated into the local Aboriginal language of Gundjeihmi to assist traditional owners and local Bininj. The Mini Plan will be released in conjunction with the draft plan and copies can be obtained by contacting Park Headquarters on 8938 1100.

Kakadu Outstations Guide to Establishment

is available now!

Draft Management Plan pg 1 Joint Management pg 2 Futures Project Outstation Guide pg 2 Film Proposal pg 3 ‘The High Ground’ 2014 NT Ranger Awards pg 3 Kakadu Brand Merchandise pg 3 Park Managers Report pg 4 2015 Kakadu Board pg 5 Meeting Dates

MEETING NO: 97 November 2014

Draft Management Plan for Kakadu

The Kakadu Board have endorsed the Draft Management Plan for Kakadu National Park. During the September 2014 Kakadu Board meeting the Draft Management Plan for Kakadu (pictured right) was presented to the Board for approval to be released for public comment.

Joint Management Futures Project

Kakadu is regarded as the leader in joint management across the world with the current model that was designed back in 1978. While people continue to value joint management and the current structure, there is broad agreement that there is potential for improvement.

The Director of National Parks has committed to looking at ways to more effectively achieve the promise and potential of Joint Management in Kakadu and this project will explore what people think joint management should look like in the future. Whether it be a different model such as; a devolved management arrangement where parks devolve on a contract basis to traditional owners certain park activities; or a sole management arrangement.

The project will aim to provide a road map for the next ten years with joint management in Kakadu and require consultation with traditional owners and other stakeholders. While this project may make recommendations to the joint management structure, actual changes would require amendments to the lease agreement via consultation with traditional owners.

Outstation Establishment Guide

There are a number of existing outstations across Kakadu and the Board believes it is important for Bininj/Mungguy to be able to set up outstations to live in and maintain connection to country and culture. The Board have developed a process and guide to establishing outstations to ensure that living areas will be set up by people with the right connection to the area and assist Bininj/Mungguy understand the process for setting up an outstation, financial considerations and the role of the Board and Director. The outstation establishment guide will be distributed to local Aboriginal organisations and aims to provide useful information to traditional owners and relevant Bininj/Mungguy who are interested in setting up an outstation in Kakadu. The guide is also available on the parks Australia website at www.environment.gov.au For further information and to get a hard copy of the guide please contact the Board Executive Officer, Trissie Bell on 8938 1109.

2014 NT Ranger Awards

The NT Ranger Awards recognise the contribution and commitment rangers make in managing the natural and cultural assets across the NT.

This year William Fordham, a ranger located at the Mary River Ranger Station in Kakadu National Park received the Ranger of the Year Arnhem Award for his outstanding ranger work and commitment to conservation management.

William travelled into Darwin to received his Award and is Pictured below with: Anna Morgan the Assistant Secretary for Parks Australia, Sarah Kerin the Park Manager for Kakadu, The Hon Bess Price and Sally Barnes the Director of National Parks.

Kakadu Brand Merchandise

Board members were presented with a number of merchandise products that included Kakadu branded gift cards that have been designed by Shoo-Fly Crafts; and a photographic souvenir book produced by Paul Arnold.

The Board approved the sale of the two merchandise items as an opportunity to increase revenue into the park. The hand craft gift cards have imagery from Kakadu and are on sale at the Bowali Visitor Centre for $14.00.

The Kakadu photographic souvenir book contains breathtaking images of Kakadu’s landscapes and rock art and is on sale at the Bowali Visitor Centre for $10.00.

Film Proposal ‘The High Ground’

Board members were presented with a proposal to film parts of a movie in Kakadu. The proposed movie is called “The High Ground” and is an action thriller set in the 1920’s after the First World War. The movie tells a story of another war that is happening in Australia between European settlers and Aboriginal people and unravels events that will change lives forever. The proposed movie aims to reach internationally and provide employment opportunities for local Bininj within the filming industry while showcasing dramatic scenery of Kakadu. The Kakadu Board has provided in principle support for this proposal subject to receiving and agreeing to a full proposal that will include financial arrangements.

Park Managers Report

Sarah advised that the turtle survey on field Island is now completed for another successful year. A total of 73 turtles came up the beach with 62 nesting. Two turtles have been fitted with satellite tracking devices so their movements can be monitored and we can learn more about how turtles live. Seed Bank Project The Seed Bank Project has trained four staff and seven Bininj in seed collection. Seeds have been collected from 14 species and Plant specimens were collected from 20 species including three target species; Graveside acacia, Brennan’s hibiscus and anlarr. The collection of seeds from threatened species could assist with the survival of many species in years to come. AMMRIC Volunteer Vets AMMRIC volunteer vets de-sexed 55 dogs, 20 pups and 1 cat in Kakadu outstations recently. The dogs were healthier than the last time AMMRIC came. De-sexed dogs roam less and eat less wildlife like quolls. Despite signs and information, feral dogs at Cooinda are still a big problem.

Climate Change Impact NERP researchers held a workshop in late July to talk about and show the maps they are working on that will show sea level rise and which bush tucker areas might go under water. Most of the NERP research will finish soon and the researchers will give talks about what they found. There might be more research in Kakadu like NERP called NESP (National Environmental Science Programme)

Fire Plot Surveys

In May, staff and traditional owners visited plots and learnt a lot about the Kakadu fireplot research that was started with rangers 20 years ago. Rangers collect data from fire plots each year, and then every 5 years parks get help from experts to find out what has changed. Plant expert Kym Brennan found a flower Hibbertia sulcata which is known only from one other collection in the upper Goomadeer River.

Food Web Project

The team explain their research by saying “you are what you eat”. The research has revealed that animals take on the chemical signatures of their diet which helps researchers work out what they eat and where it comes from. They have shown that algae is very important and some barramundi move a lot in the wet, others stay in the billabongs all year. Ginga in billabongs seem to get most of their food energy from land animals like wallabies.

Kakadu Board of Management

December 2014

The Kakadu Board will be meeting at Bowali Visitor Centre from the 3rd to 4th December 2014.

KAKADU BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 2015

March 3 Bininj Board June 2 Bininj Board 4 6th Management Plan 3 6th Management Plan 5 Full Board 4 Full Board 6 Full Board 5 Full Board September 1 Bininj Board December 1 Bininj Board 2 6th Management Plan 2 6th Management Plan 3 Full Board 3 Full Board 4 Full Board 4 Full Board

The Board Newsletter is available electronically. Please contact the Board Executive Officer, Trissie Bell to get your

copy.

Email: trissie.bell@environment.gov.au

Phone: 8938 1109