Guyra’s Bainbai project protects unique flora and cultural sites
Wattleridge, 35 km north east of Guyra, is one of the region’s environmental and cultural success stories, a New England Mutual breakfast in the town heard this week.
Manager of the 648 hectare property, Tanya Cutmore, said 13 Aboriginal people were employed in administration and as rangers to maintain and conserve the land.
She told guests Wattleridge, which is situated in the traditional lands of the Banbai people, contained significant remnant vegetation and a unique and diverse range of flora.
It also held the only recorded axe grinding groove sites and fully recorded art site in the local area.
Eight years ago the property was declared an Indigenous Protected Area by the Federal Government which provides funding for conservation work on 80 per cent of the land. This includes weed and feral animal control and fire management through controlled burning. The other 20 per cent is used to agist cattle to provide further funds for the project.
Under the arrangement the traditional indigenous owners enter a voluntary agreement to promote biodiversity and cultural resource conservation. Ms Cutmore said Banbai had commissioned a flora study of the property which identified 22 rare species and a site assessment had found significant Aboriginal artefacts and sites. Sites for making stone tools had been found on Moredun and Limestone Creeks.
Rangers and administrative staff undertake training in computers, governance, fishing, construction, horticulture and indigenous conservation and land management either through TAFE or other local training providers.
“One of the big achievements has been the response of the Aboriginal people to working on their traditional land,” Ms Cutmore said. “Their health and wellbeing has greatly improved. “A study undertaken as part of the project shows that they have responded very well to being involved in traditional culture and having an association with the land.”
She said members of the community were welcome to visit the property and should contact Banbai on 6779 1693 to make arrangements.
New England Mutual CEO Kevin Dupé said the leadership of the Banbai project had been outstanding. “Conserving such a significant area of land, promoting its biodiversity and maintaining key cultural sites is not only important for the Banbai people but for all Australians,” he said.
New England Mutual Head of Marketing Brett Maunder, Wattleridge Manager Tanya Cutmore, Natasha Ahoy, NEM Branch Manager Sue Young and Guyra Mayor Hans Hietbrink at this week’s New England Mutual business breakfast in Guyra
