Traditional owners are invited to apply for new positions on the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee to help protect our natural icon.
Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Leeanne Enoch said this was an exciting opportunity for strategic and collaborative leaders to create a lasting impact with Traditional Owners across the Great Barrier Reef.
“For thousands of generations, Traditional Owners from across the Great Barrier Reef have been successfully managing sea country,” Ms Enoch said.
“Through these new roles we are rightfully acknowledging Traditional Owners as partners in the Reef 2050 Plan.
“The Great Barrier Reef is facing some of its greatest challenges and we need to honour the unique capacity of Traditional Owners and sea country organisations to help overcome these threats.”
Reef 2050 Advisory Committee Chairman the Honourable Penelope Wensley AC said we have long recognised the need for greater involvement of Traditional Owners in managing the Great Barrier Reef and with implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan.
“These new positions acknowledge the long-standing connection of Traditional Owners to their land and sea country and their critical role in ensuring the Reef is preserved for future generations.
“We can learn much from their stories, knowledge and experience as we intensify our efforts to build Reef resilience in the face of climate change and the many other pressures on the Reef.”
The Reef 2050 Advisory Committee facilitates engagement with industry and the broader community on implementing the joint Australian and Queensland Government Reef 2050 Plan.
The plan provides the overarching framework for managing the Reef to ensure its outstanding value is protected now and for generations to come.
There is already one male Traditional Owner on the committee and expressions of interest are being sought for a female Traditional Owner to fill a second position. Proxies are also being sought for both positions.
The appointees must have:
- experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Traditional Owners and fairly representing their interests
- experience engaging in and knowledge of cross-jurisdictional Reef policy matters, particularly the Reef 2050 Plan.
Expressions of interest close on Friday, February 22.
