Deficiencies in Data

Data on biodiversity (eg flora and fauna) is available on a bioregion basis only. Whilst this information will provide a good indication of what is present in the Shire, it is not Shire specific. Data to be collected on a Shire basis should include:

•   Land clearing.
•   Fauna and flora species lists.
•   Insects (information similar to that on mammals, birds, reptiles, etc, presented in this report).

Source: Wet Tropics Management Authority

Recommendations

Cassowaries

•   That traffic is appropriately managed at known cassowary crossing points. Specifically that Road Management Plans be generated and implemented for Coquette Point, Etty Bay, Mourilyan Harbour, and Mission Beach and Bingil Bay Roads.
•   That educational material on how to live with cassowaries be distributed to residences in cassowary habitat.
•   That funding be sought for voluntary acquisition of critical cassowary habitat in specific high risk areas.
•   That a land rehabilitation program be established for the area to the west side of Ninds Creek.
•   That efforts continue for responsible dog ownership at Mission Beach, Coquette Point, Etty Bay and Mourilyan Harbour.

Crocodiles

•   That the public awareness campaign for the management of crocodiles in the Johnstone Shire be increased.

Biodiversity Maintenance

•   That statistics on vegetation clearing in the Johnstone Shire be collated to enable more effective management of existing habitat.
•   That on-ground management of pest plants and animals increase on state land.