Bangalee Beach interactive signage helps protect marine turtles
Bangalee Beach goers now have information at their fingertips about how to use the beach safely and sustainably, thanks to a recently installed interactive sign.
Fitzroy Basin Association Engagement Manager, Rebecca French, said the sign is the first of its type for the Livingstone Shire and acts as an important reminder that humans aren’t the only ones who use our beaches.
“Central Queensland has some of the most important marine turtle nesting sites in the world,” Ms French said.
“By reminding drivers to stick to the hard sand and to check times before departing, they will stay safe and help keep the local environment undamaged.”
Livingstone Shire Council Portfolio holder of Water, Waste Management and the Environment, Councillor Andrea Friend, said Central Queensland is home to six of the world’s seven marine turtle species.
“All six of these species are threatened with extinction, being listed as either vulnerable or endangered under Queensland and Australian legislation,” Cr Friend said.
“The Flatback turtle, Green Turtle, and Loggerhead Turtle nest on central Queensland beaches.
“Marine turtles create nests in sand dunes where the eggs can incubate without being troubled by the ocean. Therefore, it is vital that vehicles stay off dunes.”
The 2020-2021 turtle season had seen 282 marine turtle tracks across the Curtis and Capricorn Coasts.
“That’s approximately one turtle track for every kilometre of CQ’s coastline,” Cr Friend said.
The threat of predation on marine turtle nests and hatchlings is another key concern for the sustainability of turtle populations.
“Fox populations pose a significant threat to turtle hatching survival, as they raid local nests, she said.
“Foxes were introduced to Australia in the mid-1800s for hunting purposes but Australia’s wildlife has been negatively impacted by their presence.
“Thankfully fox detection work and our incredible volunteers who keep a close eye on nesting marine turtles and hatchlings, has given the species a fighting chance.
“Team Turtle CQ volunteers walk along local beaches and record turtle tracks, successful nests or nesting attempts, presence of threats including evidence of predators, 4WD tracks, or light impacts during the nesting and hatching season (October – March).
“Without the help of our communities, turtles have a significantly higher risk of being wiped out,” she said.
Fitzroy Basin Association Engagement Manager, Rebecca French, said this project was brought to life thanks to funding from the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, with a huge amount of support from Livingstone Shire Council and its commitments under ‘Livingstone Community Plan: Towards 2050’.
“We’re proud to be a part of a community which cares for its local environment. We would particularly like to thank the amazing volunteers who donate hours of their time as citizen scientists and stewards, patrolling the beaches to provide valuable turtle nesting data,” Ms French said.