Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation 30 Year Anniversary Celebrations.
The Gangalidda People of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria are celebrating today following recognition of part of their traditional country, Tarrant Station, as a site within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Network. The Partnership promotes cooperation across the Flyway’s 22 countries with a voluntary non-binding arrangement with over 120 sites from New Zealand, through Australia and onto Russia and Alaska.
The EAAF Partnership evolved after concerns were raised about the decline in suitable habitat for many species of birds along their annual migratory route of over 20,000km. Gangalidda People, together with many Indigenous people from along the flyway, have become concerned with declining numbers of birds in recent years and took the important step of nominating their country in a hope of highlighting the plight of over 20 migratory species that regularly visit the lower Gulf.
The Tarrant site is a critical stopover for at least three threatened species of migratory birds: Far Eastern Curlew and Curlew Sandpiper – both listed as endangered under the EPBC Act; and Great Knot – recognised globally as a vulnerable species; but also supports a further 16 migratory species that have been observed on the site.
The Gangalidda People will work towards continuing to raise the profile of Tarrant Station and its importance to migratory birds by collecting additional data with a view to expanding the site and to work towards the eventual listing of the area as a RAMSAR site. It is also hoped that the site will become a draw card for tourists visiting the region.
Today’s presentation of the Flyway Certificate to Traditional Owner and Gangalidda and Garawa Senior Head Ranger, Terrence Taylor marks the second such site to be included in the Partnership in the lower Gulf of Carpentaria, the first being Delta Downs Station (north of Karumba) on the traditional country of the Kurtijar People.
Both the Tarrant and Delta nominations were assisted by Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Jaensch Ornithology and Conservation, and the Queensland Waders Study Group. The Gangalidda People would like to take the opportunity to thank their partners for their continuing support in protecting the outstanding environmental and cultural values of their country.
For more information and media comment from the CLCAC call Terrance Taylor, Gangalidda and Garawa, Senior Head Ranger, on (07) 4041 3833.
Release date:
26 Oct 2016
Stories on Country
Group relations:
Gangalidda
Upcoming and recent events
Event date:
15 Mar 2014
CLCAC hosted the region's first Indigenous Economic Development Summit in Burketown (March 2014). The Summit was called by Traditional Owners, key industry and business leaders and government officials. Key topics included tourism and small business opportunities.
Event date:
15 Oct 2013
The Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC) held an Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Burketown Shire Council Hall on 16 October 2013.
Stories on country
13 May 2020
CLCAC’s Native Title Holders may be aware that the federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Geological and Bioregional Assessment Program (GBA Program) were pursuing a three stage program of investigations into the potential for shale gas fields in the Gulf region (fracking).
26 Oct 2016
Designation of Gangalidda People’s traditional country on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Network
18 Mar 2016
Ten Gangalidda and Garawa Rangers recently completed another round of shorebird identification training with renowned ornithologist (bird expert) Roger Jaensch. The training session also included a survey of known bird roosts found between the Leichhardt and Albert River mouths. Though conditions were extremely hot and the going was tough on our team, several thousand birds were observed roosting on the intertidal flats between the river mouths. Such data adds to the recent nomination of Tarrant (located immediately to the west of the survey area) for its inclusion as a distinct site wit
10 Mar 2016
CLCAC Rangers completed the last round of training required to complete their Certificate II in Remote Crocodile Management on 4 March, in an intensive two week training program that included weekend work. This round of training focused on nest surveys and egg incubation.
With the completion of their training to a Certificate II level the Rangers can begin to explore commercial enterprises involving crocodile management, a long-time aspiration of local Traditional Owner groups.
2 Apr 2015
Native title rights and interests were yesterday formally recognised in Burketown by the Federal Court of Australia over a number of culturally significant areas and sites, including:
19 Mar 2015
Members and Traditional Owners please be aware that the person (David Nilsson) referred to in the attached 60 Minute Report as a Carbon Cowboy is attempting to engage Traditional Owner groups in the Lower Gulf.
