Indigenous reserve plan to create jobs for Aborigines around Geelong

An Indigenous reserve more than 20 times the size of Kardinia Park could create jobs for Aboriginals on Geelong’s northern doorstep.
The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative is developing a business plan for the Wurdi Youang, a proposed Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) at Little River.
The Federal Government says Indigenous Protected Areas “deliver cost-effective” benefits including employment opportunities to Indigenous communities while also protecting biodiversity and cultural heritage. Australia has over 70 IPAs, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the country’s national reserves.
Wauthaurong recently hosted a field day at Wurdi Youang for neighbours, partners and stakeholders to “explore the opportunities”, said Reg Abrahams, the co-operative’s IPA co-ordinator.
“Wurdi Youang covers nearly 370 hectares and contains remnant critically endangered western basalt plains grassland. Our Aboriginal ranger team, funded through the Australian Government’s Biodiversity fund, was able to show how they are working hard to restore and enhance remnant vegetation,” Mr Abrahams said.
“With further support, we hope to translate this work into protecting some of Victoria’s most threatened animals.”
Mr Abrahams said the field day “reinforced our belief that we are on the right track”.
“We want to work with others to develop a sustainable natural and cultural resource management enterprise encompassing tourism, training, threatened species protection and developing and refining our agricultural conservation products using traditional knowledge and new technology.”
The business plan would examine the potential for development of a grassland seed bank, eco-cultural tourism and native foods as well as other opportunities, said consultant Louise Beames.
“The field day was a great success with a demonstration of Wurdi Youang’s native grass seed harvester, a tour of the nursery facility and native seed bank and people had an exciting opportunity to taste some of the rangers’ innovative agricultural native produce which had been grown on-site,” Ms Beames said.
“There are some really exciting possibilities to nurture culturally and environmentally appropriate opportunities for growth and sustainability at Wurdi Youang.”
The business plan is scheduled for completion in 12 months.