Caption: Traditional Owners gather on Scawfell Island to have their say on how to manage islands in the Whitsunday and Mackay region. From left: Carol Prior, Clifford Prior, Lynette Pryor, Roscoe Pryor, Gerard Pryor, Jennifer Emily Stewart, Adrena Pryor, Moarna Pryor and Nicky-Bidju Prior.
Traditional Owners from across Queensland gathered on Scawfell Island this October to provide input into a plan to manage and protect the Mackay and Whitsunday region.
Ngaro Traditional Owners from Palm Island, Cherbourg and Townsville spent five days with Wild Mob and senior officers from Reef Catchments Ltd to outline their aspirations and vision for the future of the region’s islands.
Their views will be represented in a Natural Resource Management (NRM) plan for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac region.
Ngaro elder Auntie Carol said the preservation of the Whitsunday Islands was incredibly important to Traditional Owners.
“This is Ngaro country and these islands are an important part of our culture, our identity and our spiritual connection. Ngaro people looked after this land for thousands of years and we want to make sure the islands are here and healthy for the next generation,” she said.
Reef Catchments senior officer for planning, Alice Spencer, said traditional values played an important part of regional planning for the future.
“It comes back to how people value the land and that is different for everyone. The NRM plan will cover a wide range of views from the community – from farmers to miners, tourism operators and urban populations. It is incredibly important that the cultural and spiritual values of the island’s indigenous peoples are represented.”
Ms Spencer said the Ngaro had highlighted their concern for the preservation of resources that were significant and symbolic in traditional culture.
“For example, sea turtles, dugongs and sea grass.”
The NRM Plan for Mackay, Whitsunday and Isaac is being developed by Reef Catchments in consultation with the regional community as a planning tool, including for government at all levels. It is a strategic plan, led by input and guidance from local people, industry and organisations. For more information or to learn how to contribute to the plan visit www.reefcatchments.com