Reducing feral camel impacts across remote Australia:

Australian Feral Camel Management Project

21st November 2013, Parliament House Theatre, Canberra

Session Two: Governance and Delivery Speakers: Billy Landy, Mark Jeffries and Peter See Byron Brooks, Ethan Hansen, Troy Hansen and Peter Twigg Mike Eathorne, Meramist Pty Ltd Andy Bubb, Ninti One John Virtue, Biosecurity SA Bidda Jones, RSPCA

Camels in Country: The Rules of Engagement in Spinifex Lands. Presenters: Byron Brooks, Ethan Hansen, Troy Hansen and Dr. Peter Twigg

Spinifex Country, GVD in WA

Spinifex Country Detail

Spinifex location in the Great Victoria Desert, WA

• Native Title was determined by Federal Court at Kulgarpin in November 2000

• 55,000 hectares of pristine land held under Native Title

• Nganyatjara Lands to the north • Pilki country to the West • Serpentine Lakes on Eastern border was identified as

a ‘Camel Hotspot’ • Tjuntjuntjara is the major Spinifex community of 180

people and southern pillar of Western Desert culture • Ilkurlka in the middle of claim area on the Serpentine

Lakes Road.

Rules of Engagement • Will return to these themes at the end of presentation:

• Begin with the presumption that we are talking about Aboriginal

land • Puts things on the table that are relevant to each party • Understands that opportunities will be found with converging

benefits • Engages as equal parties; that includes economics and

commercial relations. Fair dollar for fair work • Work with timetables that suit the community, flexibility allows

targeting, maximum returns and success • Foster all opportunities for dual purpose activities • Full disclosure about what is happening, when and why • Utilises and develops local capacity for logistics and support

Helicopters & Camels

Two converging themes which brought us all to the table and led to the success of our partnership program with AFCMP Today, want to tell two separate but converging stories that have taken place within Spinifex Country over the past several years. - One is about a rising concern about the impact of camels - The other is about the value of helicopters for those who hold country. The AFCMP provided Spinifex with the opportunity to bring both of these themes together.

Camel Story 1: Finding Tjitjidii

• Finding Tjitjidii, in 2009 on the fourth expedition attempt, approx 2oo Kms NE from Tjuntjuntjara

• Soak on edge of a large salt lake system • Cross 44 sandhills to come out • Subsequently an access road created • Community convoy first visit in many years • Excitement, big achievement, happy • (postscript, shed tank now in place)

Dead camels in rockholes

• Tjitjidi cleaning Image (lost image!) But can tell story of smell.

• Tjitjidii is a soak, permanent water. Very valueable lake based site with extensive use.

• A major 4 x 4 vehicle expedition was mounted after it was found to visit and clean.

• Cleaning out camel bones and fat • Big stink lasts for days. • Water bright pink that first visit. • Awakened many memories; but disturbed by

camels

Tjitjidii

Helicopter Story 1: Finding Irlbillii, Soak country East of Mirramiratjara

• Irlbilli is a soak. Permanent water in the far central/north zone of Spinifex Country

• In years gone by a most precious water source • Major and popular Spinifex site • No chance of visiting by road • Incredible story of granting an old man a final wish • Anangu directing a helicopter for Anangu ends. • Careful use images of person today. Memories. • Painted many, many times. Retold, loved.

Irlbilli

A new, direct partnership sealed at Ilkurlka

Command post established at Mirramiratjara

The moment arrives, chopper fueled and ready for the search

22 Minutes to Irlbilli

First digging of soak in almost 50 years.

Camel Story 2: Wayanu Dreaming Wayanu = Quandong

• Wayanu is part of the Tjukurpa • Camel loves to eat Wayanu • Slow growing semi parasitic plant • Favorite food of Kalaya, the Emu • Delicious early summer fruit • Tell a story here about a huge Wayanu in a

beautiful valley near Neales Junction • Story comes from a Biological Survey

Jamu Wayanu in the Valley, 6m

“The future of Wayanu in Australia”

Coming of the AFCMP, 2010

Arrival of the AFCMP

• Guys with maps, questions ……….. and helicopters!

• Community meetings with the ACFCMP team and Spinifex Elders

• Flying in Spinifex to identify sites, water and camel concentrations

• Joint work to provide logistical support • Spinifex map begins to populate

The convergence: Helicopter story 2

Meeting at Ilkurlka; round one

Expedition team - remote logistics

Chaos and Planning

Following old memories and tracks

Amazing feeling above but still in the landscape

Fast-tracking the search for sites

In country again

Supporting the AFCMP

• Spinifex undertaking logistical works for the program

• Camps established to extend the range • Fuel dumps created and Elders shuttled

around • The partnership grows.

Taking partnership opportunities presented

• Roadworks undertaken to increase the range and access for the program and future Ranger works

• Aerial shoot starts to impact on camel numbers, see less tracks on roads

• Helicopter team supports Spinifex Mapping work

• Biological specimens extended; gunna bags • Rangers working further afield • Ground shooting training for Spinifex Rangers

Training Spinifex Rangers for ground shooting

Shoot training for Spinifex Rangers

• Serious Training Unit established at Ilkurlka • Shoot Range built by Rangers • On the ground and intensive, 5 days • Range based first, emphasis on safety, technique and

maintenance of weapons • Ground shooting training, night vision, ambush and GPS

logging of camels • Butchery training

• Spinifex Rangers all succeeded in passing the course • Spinifex Rangers currently more than 450 camels shot

with ground techniques.

Target work on Range

Capable, armed and effective

Spinifex Rangers bringing it all together

Managing Spinifex Lands

• Control of camel numbers in bulk by helicopter

• Ground shooting by Spinifex Rangers • Opportunities for cross fertilisation

between inside and outside world • Common goal against camels • Promoting biodiversity initiatives • Future win win for both Government and

Native Title holders

To Kalkali and beyond

Comments on Rules of Engagement

• Lessons from Spinifex engagement process

• Valuable partnership grown over time • Both parties in win – win • Ground well established for ongoing

relations • Training, capacity, economics. • Opportunity to support deep management

of the Australian national estate

Ranger conclusions on Camels, Country and Engagement

Getting Directions

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