PROTECTING THE COBOURG
PENINSULAR RAMSAR SITE
The challenge
The Cobourg Peninsula was designated the world’s first Ramsar wetland in 1974 for its invaluable riverine, permanent freshwater, brackish, intertidal, and coastal marine ecosystems. Today, the peninsula lies within the Garig Gunak Barlu National Park, jointly managed by NT Parks and Wildlife and the Arrarrkbi Traditional Owners.
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The Ramsar site encompasses various critical habitat types and is home to many priority and threatened species such as the northern brushtail possum, brush-tailed rabbit-rat, red goshawk, eastern curlew, and the freshwater sawfish. These complex and diverse ecosystems are threatened by feral herbivores that damage important habitat and compete for food with native species, invasive weeds, and large, hot fires.
Project goals
This project aims to conserve the natural integrity of the Cobourg Peninsula Ramsar site, by supporting management to improve habitat condition.
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This project will work with Traditional Owners and Parks staff to:
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Monitor threatened and priority species through targeted fauna surveys;
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Monitor feral animals and their impact to habitat condition;
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Support the control of feral animal populations through strategic management;
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Support the creation of fine-scale fire mapping
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Provide the fire mapping for collaborative planning of fire management activities with the aim to retain long unburnt habitat, reduce the frequency of destructive late dry season fires, and reduce the extent of annual area burnt;
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Remove weeds across the peninsula and survey for new incursions;
Working together​
We’re working with Arrarrkbi Traditional Owners, NT Parks and Wildlife, and researchers from CDU to monitor threatening processes, and support management activities to alleviate their pressure on habitats and threatened species.
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Together, we’ll monitor and manage invasive weeds, control feral animals, and support fire management activities.
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This project will run from June 2024 to June 2028.
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This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and is delivered by Territory Natural Resource Management, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.​
Making a difference
This project will improve our understanding of the impacts of threatening processes on wetland and terrestrial habitat conditions.
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By supporting the control of feral animal populations, we’ll be directly addressing severe wetland degradation, improving habitat and creating positive outcomes for biodiversity. Improved fire management and ongoing weed control will help protect natural habitats.
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This project will create opportunities for Traditional Owners to work on Country and be readily involved in planning, monitoring and management activities, providing training and upskilling opportunities along the way.
