About Cape York Sustainable Futures
Cape York Sustainable Futures previously Cape York Peninsula Development Association Inc (CYPDA Inc) was formed 23 years ago in 1987 to provide an independent forum to promote the development of Cape York Peninsula, an area covering 137,000 sq. kms. in one of Australia's most remote regions. Our group is apolitical, cross-sectional and considered a pioneer of community driven representation. It provides an open forum for debate and is the only organisation in the Peninsula to which everyone can belong and where everyone can have their say. We are recognised as the largest membership based organisation in Cape York and have about 140 members who are made up of a cross section of the community including Indigenous people, pastoralists, small business owners, tourism operators, agricultural, community organisations, conservationists and local, state and federal government departments and agencies.
Following a review of our strategic plan in 2008, saw a change in our vision. This is to foster:
- an ecologically, economical and cultural sustainable environment in Cape York Peninsula;
- A cohesive viable community with improved quality of life for residents, and,
- Broad promotion and representation of the priorities and values of Cape York Peninsula
Cape York Sustainable Futures mission statement is: "Listening and supporting all residents working together in achieving their aspirations for Cape York Peninsula".
Cape York Sustainable Futures has four key principles that embody the work undertaken by CYSF. These are:
- Community: A cohesive and empowered community for Cape York Peninsula.
- Social: Developing strong social infrastructure to support Cape York Peninsula residents.
- Economic sustainability: Creation of a sustainable and strong economic base in Cape York Peninsula.
- Environment and Climate Change: Effective management now and for future generations of Cape York Peninsula residents and all visitors to the region.
Over the next 12 months we will be focusing on building an empowered community and in particular, unifying all the voices in the Peninsula and for the organization to be "the voice of the Peninsula".
CYSF meets quarterly, at different locations across the Peninsula. We have a board of 9 people who face rolling elections each year by the membership where 3 positions become vacant.
We have a varied funding stream from both the Australian and Queensland governments and last financial year we had over $1.5million worth of projects to deliver. These were:
- Cape York Fire Management Program
- Cape York Fire & Biodiversity Program
- Cape York Turtle Nest Predation Monitoring Project
- Cape York Reef Rescue Program
- Savanna Plan
- Cape York Signage Project
- Cape York Investment Prospectus
- Blueprint for the Bush Pilot Weeds Program
- Cape York Regional Engagement to set up the CY NRM inaugural board
Cape York Sustainable Futures have been involved in Remote Sensing and GIS for over a decade, and pioneered the use of satellite data for fire control and land management in Queensland. CYSF combined these two disciplines to form a highly capable management tool for remote area and reserves, focusing on sustainable environmental management. GIS and Remote Sensing are core tools for regional management, where the cost of providing on-ground monitoring is prohibitive or access is limited.
Previous funding initiatives include:
- Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy
- Community Bank – Aurukun
- Horticulture Branding
- Tourism Product Database
- Visitor Statistics Project
- Networking the Nation (mobile phone coverage)
- Cape York Radio Towers
- Regional Business Advisor Program funded by the Qld Government
- Mapping the Northern Peninsula Area
- CYP Regional Economic & Infrastructure Framework
- A number of NHT funded projects
- Rangelands Fire Management Program
In order to be the "Voice of the Peninsula", we are always looking for residents of CYP to join Cape York Sustainable Futures so that you have the opportunity to make a difference on the following topics:
- World Heritage Nomination
- Wild Rivers Legislation
- Tenure Issues
- Infrastructure requirements
- Economic and social issues