Nanum Wungthim Land & Sea Management Centre (Nanum)
The Nanum Wungthim Land & Sea Management Centre (Nanum Wungthim) is based in Napranum, Qld on the West Coast of Cape York. Napranum is located south of Weipa & has a population of approximately 1,000 in the centre of a DOGIT (Deed of Grant in Trust) area of 200,730 hectares. The Centre was first established in 2001 with the help of the West Coast Cape York Peninsular Traditional Land Owners Inc. and the Natural Heritage Trust. It was established to provide:
• An operational and professionally coordinated local natural resource centre,
• A community natural and cultural resource management plan,.
• A natural and cultural heritage information system, &
• Implementation of on-ground works as identified in the planning process.
For Indigenous people terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems are an interrelated whole and that this needs to be remembered in future Land & Sea Management strategies developed with Indigenous People
In the first half of 2003 the rangers from the Nanum Wungthim Land & Sea Management Centre cleaned up 50km beach from the Pennefather River to Duyfken Pt (of marine Debris). The cleanup operation resulted in 114 one-tonne Ute (truck) loads of net being collected. These nets ranged from small sections of nets picked up by hand to extremely large nets requiring a backhoe for removal. The entire operation was conducted using Nanum Wungthim & Napranum Community Council equipment, staff and resources. The project was completed on a relatively small budget ($3,000) because of the terrific help from many people.
In 2004/5 the Land & Sea Centre was on standby due to lack of funding. Towards the end of 2005 the Napranum Community Council recruited a coordinator, Indigenous coordinator and rangers. A steering committee of Traditional Owners was formed and has met regularly since then. A program of works for the rangers is underway including:
• office renovations
• planning for Homelands areas & with Traditional Owner groups in the three sub-regions has commenced,
• A Geographic Information System is being developed to ensure permanent and confidential recording of both natural and cultural information. This latter demonstrates that
Indigenous knowledge and Western science can work side by side for the benefit of all Australians.
Community rangers play a vital role in Land & Sea Management. They are its linchpin and its inspiration. They are a group of highly committed and energetic individuals who have committed their life and soul to the Caring for Country. They are supported by an equally committed group of individuals working in the field and at the middle management levels, who are doing their best to meet & consolidate training, employment and project opportunity for community rangers. All are committed to the overall goal of establishing viable and effective Land & Sea Management in their area and establishing a domain that is Indigenous controlled and decided. However, the reality of the matter is that until higher management and government take on board the vital necessity of addressing funding, training and employment constraints (that) affect community rangers and their initiatives, the area will remain beset with problems and continuing frustration. To do so is not just making a choice to fulfil the aspirations of Indigenous people; it is a choice to protect the area for all Australians and future generations.
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