The Northern Gulf natural resource region encompasses the catchments of the Mitchell, Norman, Gilbert and Staaten River systems in far north and central north Queensland.

It is a large, remote area covering approximately 194,000km with an estimated population density of 1 person per 20 square kilometres. The major population centres are Georgetown, Croydon, Forsayth, Einasleigh, Mt Surprise, Dimbulah, Burketown, Normanton, Karumba, Kowanyama, Chillagoe, Mount Molloy, Mount Carbine and Irvinebank.

The Northern Gulf Resource Management Group Ltd (NGRMG) is a not-for-profit community based company that plans and advises on issues and best practice for natural resources in the Northern Gulf region by setting regional priorities and accessing funds for specified on-ground outcomes.

The Group’s target is an inclusive, proactive, integrated and cooperative approach to resource management using the framework developed in the strategic plan, and the resources identified in the regional investment plan.

It is the aim of the NGRMG to ensure the community and scientific visions for priority resource management are translated into on-ground results that will ensure that the region will have culturally diverse communities that are socially cohesive, and with a range of economically viable industries that incorporate the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

Membership of the NGRMG is open and managed via five sectoral branches - Local Government, Industry, Indigenous, Community and Conservation - and it is funded though the second stage of the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program (both being Australian Government funded programs), philanthropic support, sponsorships and business partnerships.

To achieve true sustainable natural resource management, the NGRMG has also established an integrated and cooperative network of relationship with Local Government, conservation and community groups, industry organisations, Traditional Owner groups and individuals throughout the Northern Gulf and neighbouring regions.

Duty Of Care

• Discussion Paper: Explaining the concept of "Environmental Duty of Care" in the context of the Northern Gulf region (Queensland)
• Discussion Paper: Generating income from ecosystem services: It’s a brave new world for landholders around the world. Opportunities for landholders in the Northern Gulf region?

Selected photos courtesy of Mitchell River Watershed Management Group, Northern Gulf Indigenous Savanna Group, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceans Office and Sarah Connor.