Are candidates in the current NT election committed to supporting the Reserve?

In recent years, uncontrolled fires, weeds and insufficient operational funding have combined to put the natural values of Casuarina Coastal Reserve into decline. Nearby clearing of the bush combined with increasing numbers of human visitors mean that it is a more precious asset than ever, and yet this isn’t reflected in Government spending priorities.

Friends of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, Rapid Creek and Casuarina Coastal Reserve Landcare Groups asked candidates in the upcoming Territory election four questions about their plans for the Reserve, funding and Landcare.

NT Labor and the Greens party answered each question, and no reply was received from the Country Liberal Party. Five independents replied: Justine Davis, Graeme Sawyer, Justine Glover, Belinda Kolstad and Martin Jackson. Lauren Moss and Natasha Fyles wrote separate letters detailing their commitment to local landcare and the Reserve.

Authorised by Deborah Hall, Kapalga Street Tiwi.

What we asked candidates:

  1. If elected, will you commit to increase operational funding to the Parks and Wildlife Commission NT by at least 20% by 2026?
  2. If elected, will you ensure that cleaning of visitor facilities in Casuarina Coastal Reserve is no longer the responsibility of rangers?
  3. If elected, will you pledge to establish dedicated weed management and feral animal control rangers in Casuarina Coastal Reserve?
  4. If elected, will you commit to ongoing operational funding for LandcareNT as per the rest of Australia, to support the important work of volunteer landcarers?

Below are response snippets from their individual submissions/replies. Text in italics indicates a missing or unclear response. The individual responses are linked as PDFs at the end of this page.

 Increase of operational funding?Responsibilities of rangers?Dedicated management?Operational funding for LandcareNT?
Eva LawlerNo clear financial commitment but continued Implementation of NT Parks 10 Year Activation PlanNo answerWill consider$150,000 this financial year; will work on long-term funding agreement
Lauren MossNot clearCosting for waste removal and maintenance work is underwaySupports looking for optionsInvolved with the Casuarina Landcare for a decade; will continue to advocate for increased operational funding
Natasha FilesWill advocate for increased fundingSome work underway in understanding the costs associated with waste and maintenance.Understands the changes over the years of what needs to be done in maintaining the ReserveInvolved in the Rapid Creek Landcare Group since 2012
NT GreensYes, will commit to increasing funding to Park and WildlifeYes, will advocate for systems that support rangers to focus their time on the key environmental workYes, will advocate within parliament for biodiversity to be protectedYes, this promise is explicitly included in our “Healthy country, thriving nature – Water, Environment and biodiversity” election platform
Belinda KolstadWill be guided by Constituents if the matter arisesWill be guided by Constituents if the matter arisesWill be guided by Constituents if the matter arisesWill be guided by Constituents if the matter arises
Graeme SawyerYes, our park estate is badly underfundedYes, rangers have a much more important role to play in the management of BiodiversityYes, feral plants and animals are destroying the BiodiversityYes, there is a significant need for organisations such as Landcare and NRM to coordinate management
Justine DavisYes, support thisYes, freeing up ranger time to protect and care for the natural values of the ReserveYes, this is essentialAbsolutely
Justine GloverYes, as has been underfundedYes, rangers have more important work to doYes, weeds are causing significant damageYes, the NT is way behind and needs to fully fund this important group
Martin JacksonDon’t know, need to know how and what is already spentDon’t know the issuesDon’t know the issuesSupports Landcare but hesitant to commit

See below the individual responses we received:

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Eva-Lawler.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Lauren-Moss.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Natasha-Fyles.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/NT-Greens.pdf

https://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Belinda-Kolstad.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Graeme-Sawyer.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Justine-Davis.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Justine-Glover.pdf

http://fccr.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Martin-Jackson.pdf