Joint media release: Celebration of the Crocodile Islands Indigenous Protected Area

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians

The dedication of the Crocodile Islands Maringa Indigenous Protected Area in the Top End has been celebrated with a ceremony in north-east Arnhem Land. 

The newly protected area includes 20 islands, covering over 78,000 hectares of land and over 730,000 hectares of sea country.

The islands’ mangroves, mudflats, coastal floodplains, monsoon forests, eucalypt forests, shallow seas and reefs are home to 44 threatened species.

The Millingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation leads on conservation activities across the Crocodile Islands Maringa Indigenous Protected Area. 

Works include fire management, community education, pest management and research and monitoring of threatened species, like migratory shorebirds and marine turtles.

Indigenous Protected Areas now make up more than 11 per cent of Australia’s landmass and more than 50 per cent of our national estate.

The Government has set a target to protect and conserve 30 per cent of our land and 30 per cent of our oceans by 2030.

The Crocodile Islands Maringa Indigenous Protected Area added over 78,000 hectares to help reach this 30 per cent land target - 22 per cent of Australia’s total landmass is now protected.

Indigenous Protected Areas are developed under voluntary agreements between First Nations peoples and the Australian Government to manage and protect areas of land and sea for biodiversity conservation.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP:

“It’s fantastic to see the protection of over 800,000 hectares of land and sea country in the Top End.

“The Crocodile Islands are home to over 20,000 migratory waterbirds every year and provide vital nesting beaches for turtles.

“I congratulate all involved in the creation of the Crocodile Islands Maringa Indigenous Protected Area, including the Millingimbi Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation and Maringa people. 

“First Nations peoples have been successfully looking after land for 65,000 years. 

“That’s why Labor has committed to establish ten new Indigenous Protected Areas and double the number of Indigenous Rangers by 2030.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Linda Burney MP:

“I am extremely proud of the efforts of the Traditional Owners, Crocodile Island Rangers and staff at the Milingimbi and Outstations Progress Resource Aboriginal Corporation to dedicate the Indigenous Protected Area.

“The Indigenous Protected Areas Program supports the Maringa people to realise their vision of managing their traditional lands and harnessing opportunities for local people to work on Country.

“We recognise through Yolngu law and knowledge that the strength of the Crocodile Islands IPA comes from the Maringa peoples tradition in caring for their land and sea Country.

“I acknowledge the contribution this makes towards achieving the protection of Australia’s unique biodiversity and culture for the benefit of all Australians and future generations to come.”