TALAROO INDIGENOUS PROTECTED AREA & NATURE REFUGE 

"Talaroo is the heart of Ewamian Country" 

Brian Bing
Ewamian Limited Board Member

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Talaroo is managed as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) which is a self-declared area that Traditional Owners agree to manage for the protection of natural and cultural values in accordance with guidelines of the IUCN. 

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What is IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature)? 

 

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has become the global authority on conservation of the natural world. In different countries, areas that are set aside for natural values have different names like wilderness area, national park or nature reserve, the objective of the IUCN is to set some uniform international standards for the protection and conservation of natural places and the mission of the IUCN is to assist societies to conserve nature and ensure that any use of natural resources on these areas is sustainable. 

 

The IUCN categories are not an extra layer to Australian and Queensland conservation areas they are just a different way of classifying the natural significance of an area.

 

There are two Protected Area management categories under which Talaroo is managed, they are: 
 

• IUCN II (60% of the total area) which means that this area is managed like a National Park and the high conservation values are protected. 
   

• IUCN IV (40% of the total area) which aims to protect particular species and habitats, in these areas more activities are permitted which allows for flexible management strategies to support Ewamian community needs and aspirations. 

 

Talaroo is also a Nature Refuge which means that we play an active role in protecting the State’s  conservation and biodiversity. Nature refuges are a form of private protected area. They are a voluntary agreement between the Queensland Government and a landholder, designed to protect the natural values of the land. Under the nature refuge agreement Ewamian People have committed to protecting the significant conservation values of the land, but compatible and sustainable use of the land is able to continue. 

Ewamian People’s Vision for Talaroo IPA is to support environmentally acceptable economic ventures on Country and provide financial independence with the Ewamian Rangers work playing a vital role in this Vision.

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Talaroo contains high conservation values and will protect critical habitat including up to 12 nationally threatened species, such as the endangered Salt Pipewort (Eriocaulon carsonii orientale), an endemic aquatic herb that occurs in only 22 spring wetlands in Australia. Species observed on the property and listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) include the endangered golden-shouldered parrot (Psephotus chrysopterygius) and red goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus).

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For more information about Talaroo Hot Springs and Caravan Park tourism experience click on the link below.