Djungan Rangers
Djungan Rangers
Qld Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program Grant obtained in Dec 2023
Ngarrabullgan, the heart of Djungan Country and cultural identity, is of the highest order of cultural significance at Regional, State and National levels. It contains:
- The oldest known archaeological site in Queensland and one of the oldest in Australia (Ngarrabullgan Cave);
- One of the densest known concentrations of Pleistocene and Early Holocene rock-shelters with cultural materials in Queensland and in Australia, with occupation deposits spanning from before the peak of the Last Ice Age to recent times, and
- One of very few examples of a landscape wherein the history of Aboriginal spirituality has been archaeologically tracked back in time.
Result
Ngarrabullgan is also of high Regional, State and National significance with respect to its natural environment. It is an outstanding example of a rare geomorphic process and history, and contains numerous rare, threatened and endemic species and habitats, some of which do not occur anywhere else on the planet.
The cultural sites, flora and fauna face significant threats from uncontrolled prospecting, camping and pig hunting, and new emerging threats such as the expansion of deer and other invasive species.
Therefore, the new Djungan Ranger Team will undertake the following activities to progress the top priorities identified in the Heathy Country Plan:
- Control and eradication of feral animals and weeds from Ngarraboolgan and adjacent country
- Visitor control and management
- Cultural heritage recording and protection
- Return to country camps programs
- Communications and engagement
- Access improvements
