The Tennant Creek Biodiversity Conservation Project is a two year project funded by the Natural Heritage Trust. It is a joint project between the Tennant Creek Town Council and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Council and Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation have combined resources to prepare a biodiversity conservation and natural resource management plan for the Tennant Creek area.
“The aim of the project is to empower the local community to manage natural resources at the local level and to incorporate sustainable natural resource management objectives in all future planning strategies,” said Michael Dougall, CEO, Tennant Creek Town Council.
Other aspects of this project include holding public information days and facilitating on ground bushcare activities with the local schools and community groups.
Kelly McCulloch, the Biodiversity Conservation Officer in charge of the project, has recently been conducting biodiversity surveys around the Tennant Creek area.
“The aim of these surveys is to gather information on the flora, fauna and landscape within the Tennant Creek Town Boundary,” she said. “The information gathered during the surveys will aid in the development of future rehabilitation projects.”
On Saturday 15 September, a community tree planting day took place celebrating Earth Alive, Biodiversity Month and Planet Ark National Tree Day. This event was the first step in a large project aimed at dust suppression and establishing a ‘Green Belt’ within Tennant Creek.
As part of 2002 Year of the Outback, the Biodiversity Conservation Project aims to construct a Nature Trail at the nearby Mary Ann Dam. This will involve erecting information signs along the trail, the construction of a boardwalk and the installation of solar lighting.
“It is hoped that the Nature Trail will provide Tennant Creek with the opportunity of venturing into ecotourism,” Kelly McCulloch said.
For further information contact Kelly McCulloch on (08) 8962 2401.
