Natural Resource Management Hub plan for Cooktown
- Cape York NRM
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
Planning is underway for a shared natural resource management ‘hub’ for land trusts or corporations, First Nations PBCs, and other interested organisations in Cooktown and from across Cape York Peninsula.
Cape York Natural Resource Management (Cape York NRM) is leading the development at 75 Charlotte Street, and hopes to hear from potential partners who may want to lease office space if they share similar purposes and values.
Cape York NRM's new chair, Jim Turnour said the Board had established a Cooktown Land Development subcommittee and was keen to help support projects across the Cape York Peninsula.
“We are a not-for-profit organisation focused on supporting the sustainable development, management and protection of Cape York’s natural environment and cultural values,” Mr Turnour said.
“We are community-based and work with Traditional Owners, producers, community groups, land carers, industry and NGOs, amongst others, to help build and strengthen networks to achieve shared land management goals.”
Cape York NRM bought the land in 2022 and the subcommittee, which met on 11 March will oversee the planning for the development of an office and temporary accommodation for staff.
“But we want to see if partners might be interested in being part of that, to develop a hub for natural resource management in the region,” Mr Turnour said.
“Preliminary planning has been undertaken. We know, however, that we deliver projects through partners and don’t want to finalise plans until we have had an opportunity to talk to them about how any development could bring broader benefits to the region’s NRM community.”
Over the next two months, Cape York NRM will be reaching out to organisations that work in environment and natural resource management to see if they are interested in co-locating and what their needs may be.
''This will help inform the design and size of the development so plans can be finalised to seek funding for construction,'' he said.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the project and opportunities, or being a part of an NRM Hub, can contact Cape York NRM on 1300 132 262 or email admin@capeyorknrm.com.au.
