BHP BMA: Water Resources Situational Analysis &
Qld Indigenous Land Conservation Project

Water Resources Situational Analysis

To better understand shared water challenges and opportunities for collective action, BHP commissioned a Water Resources Situational Analysis (WRSA)
prepared by Alluvium Consulting and the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals. The WRSA will be made publicly available in mid-2022 and will be a tool for all to use in planning and prioritising action throughout the catchment.

Fifteen shared challenges were identified across the following categories:

  • Integrated water resource planning and management;
  • Participation and access of first nations to land and sea country;
  • Water security for economic and social well-being;
  • Data confidence and knowledge; and
  • Water and catchment quality.

The WRSA reports on consequences and causes of these shared challenges and identifies existing and future opportunities for collective action.

Queensland Indigenous Land Conservation Project

Queensland Indigenous Land Conservation Project (QILCP) led by Greening Australia and BHP/BMA, with project partners the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation aim to improve and maintain the whole catchment connected to the Great Barrier Reef by engaging, enabling, and empowering Traditional Owners and Indigenous Communities to care for Country.

The QILCP has celebrated several achievement since April 2019 including:

  • The establishment of two project reference groups, one in the Woorabinda community and the other with the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation.
  • Undertaking a Healthy Country planning process with Woorabinda Project Reference Group to create a management plan for the Woorabinda Rangers Program.
  • Funding from the Queensland Government for five ranger positions in Woorabinda.
  • The appointment of Milton Lawton as Woorabinda Ranger Coordinator.
  • Works undertaken with Woorabinda community to fix eroding gullies on pastoral properties as part of the Fitzroy Water Quality Project.
  • Completion of a Healthy Country planning process with Barada Barna Project Reference Group to create a management plan for culturally and ecologically significant wetlands.
  • Ecological survey of over 60 hectares to inform management actions on Barada Barna country.
  • Organised for Central Queensland University to deliver accredited training in conservation and ecosystem management and weed management for Barada Barna Cultural Heritage Team and Woorabinda Rangers.
  • Formed Dipperu Steering Committee to explore and promote opportunities for Barada Barna to undertake management activities within Dipperu Scientific National Park.
  • A number of feasibility studies are also ongoing to explore opportunities in environmental credits, and in seed collecting and nursery enterprises.