New base for Wadeye environment rangers

The Thammarrurr Land and Sea Rangers, a successful initiative employing 15 local people to work as rangers in and around Wadeye on environmental projects, now has a new base funded by the Australian Government.

The rangers’ work includes surveying and controlling weeds (including weeds Mimosa and Olive Hymenachne), feral pig control, surveillance of introduced marine invertebrates and diseases, monitoring threatened species and habitat management, fire management, transmission of cultural knowledge and the maintenance of significant cultural sites.

The rangers are also partnering ENI Australia on projects as part of the Blacktip gas project off the coast of Wadeye.

The rangers are doing an important job using their local knowledge and skills to care for country.

The new base will include a training room, workshop, office space and storage units.

The Government provided $250,000 from the Aboriginals Benefit Account and $250,000 from the Indigenous Land Corporation towards the renovation, reconstruction, fit-out and landscaping of the new premises.

We have provided $27 million over three years towards 169 ranger positions in the Northern Territory as part of the Working on Country program, which employs Indigenous people to undertake priority land and sea management projects for the Government.

In Wadeye, that investment is being used to fund 15 full-time positions with the Thamarrurr Rangers and two ranger coordinators.

Additionally, the Government has provided $200,000 for the Thamarrurr Rangers to purchase a survey vessel to assist their endeavours caring for the local environment.

The Australian Government is committed to more Indigenous job and training opportunities in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.