Position regarding the North Queensland Irrigated Agriculture Strategy (NQIAS) specifically the Gilbert River Catchment
On the 15th December 2011 the Australian and State Governments jointly announced investment of $10 Million towards 'an historic plan that marks a significant step forward in realising the potential of new irrigated agriculture in the Flinders and Gilbert catchments in North Queensland' (http://www.minister.regional.gov.au/sc/releases/2011/december/sc150_2011.aspx)
This was followed by a meeting organised by Gulf Savannah Development on the 23rd January 2012 in Georgetown. The initial investment annoucned above welcomed and is primarily to improve knowledge of the hydrologic systems, soils and suitable agricultural crops.
The Northern Gulf Resource Management Group Ltd (NGRMG) does not hole opinion on irrigated development on the Gulbert River itself as tehre are a broad range of stakeholder views regarding development potential and scale. Our role is therefore as an honest broker to remain independant and lobby for integrity in any processes, engagement and information.
The NGRMG will endeavour to ensure that science investments advance knowledge in the region to the betterment of local communities and on-ground environmental and land management regardless of whether development is to occur or not. NGRMG will strongly advocate for:
- In-field work rather than further desktop analysis.
- Presentation of the limits of confidence on all data especially that being publiches or used in decision making processes.
- Genuine repect for the people who live in and manage the landscapes and participatory engagement - not 'rubber stamping'.
NGRMG can and will provide assistance through skills, corporate knowledge and where possible investment for ensuring the long-term economic, social and ecological sustainability of the region based on close connection with, and advice from local communities.
The NGRMG will endeavour to support equitable access and feedback for local industry and communities including assisting people directly to have their say and provide their advice to the processes of decision making that will impact on their lives.
For further information please refer back to this page from time to time as we will be providing updates or give us a call or drop into our head office.
Noeline Ikin
Chief Executive Officer
NGRMG (07) 4062 1330