Birriliburu Indigenous Protected Area Proclaimed

"The dedication also means that Australia now has a continuous wildlife corridor" , so does that mean they have abandoned their 'traditional ways' .... interesting

Gday,
Thats all great if it is managed properly.........If not the whole area becomes over run with ferrals and actually destroys wildlife and threatened spices not protects them.
Sorry to sound like a pesimist, but it all sounds way too familiar......a few years down the track the fences have been trampled by feral camels, the neighbouring properties stock are wandering all over it, camp dogs and feral cats are out hunting natives, waterholes, bores, wells etc destroyed by camels and stock and rubbish spread from aresole to breakfast.
I havent seen to many land hand backs that have turrned out to be the big sucess story that was promoted.....have you?

But the government probably secured some new minning deal through it.........

Would be interesting to re visit this topic in a few years time and see how far it has developed?

Cheers

Firstly, good on you equinox for catching the story and making the effort to do your research on what an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) is the background to the Birriliburu IPA. It is always good to start a conversation coming from a very well informed position. Indeed the IPA does provide an excellent framework to protect the important biodiversity and cultural values of these incredible lands, but it also lays the foundations for much needed and meaningful job opportunities in this very remote part of WA.

Since having their native title recognised in 2008, the Birriliburu Traditional Owners have worked very hard in partnership with a range of organisations to better manage this country and to build their capacity to keep this going into the future. For those who have been along the Canning Stock Route (CSR) over the past few years, you will have no doubt either come across the Birriliburu rangers or seen some of the results of their enthusiastic work with partner organisations.

Just last week, the rangers were working hard with Trackcare WA to install a toilet, traffic control bollards (to keep vehicles from causing more damage to the banks), a walk trail and information shelter at the popular Windich Spring. This followed a successful collaboration last year installing a toilet and fire rings at Well 12. The other activities that CSR travellers may have noted is 'patch' burning of spinifex country along the way to make sure that there is good habitat for native animals and to protect areas where threatened species have been recorded as well as interacting with tourists along the CSR about the work that they are doing.

Perhaps less obvious is the work that the rangers have been doing around biodiversity surveys (including threatened species), rock hole and soak maintenance and water testing (to monitor for change over time). These activities, along with the fire work, is not confined to the CSR. In the next few months, CSR travellers may come across the Birriliburu rangers working with Desert Discovery doing additional surveys for threatened species, doing more 'patch' burning and working with the Jigalong Rangers and the State Department of Environment and Conservation in a project to protect black flanked rock wallabies a bit further north.

All good solid stuff.

As far as having a major say goes, Central Desert Native Title Services will continue to facilitate partnerships for the IPA on behalf of the Birriliburu Traditional Owners, to respond to their priorities and to support them in getting the information they need to make good decisions, for as long as they require our services. We would certainly welcome enquiries from any readers who may be interested in making a contribution to the important work that the Birriliburu Traditional Owners and rangers have committed to.

There has been no indication of changes to the current arrangements for travelling the CSR.

We look forward to ongoing positive dialogue.