Following up from my last update I can now advise that Terrain now has more than 50 people working directly on clean up and environmental recovery projects across the cyclone affected areas in the Wet Tropics.

This has been a huge exercise and it's with great excitement that I can say that the on ground teams have now been working hard for over three weeks and the feedback so far has been terrific.

Terrain NRM is applying the lessons learned from Cyclone Larry by directly coordinating work crews dedicated to clean up and environmental recovery in sensitive environmental sites. Special training and work programs will ensure that all efforts have positive environmental outcomes, particularly in our waterways.

Operation Clean Up is part of the Queensland government's commitment to assist the recovery process following Cyclone Yasi. The program is managed by the Queensland government' Department of Employment, Education, Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and aims to help with clearing debris from farms and tourism businesses affected by Cyclone Yasi. It employs local farm and tourism labour displaced by the cyclone.

Six teams are now up and running, two teams based each of Ingham, Tully and Innisfail. I have personally met many of the on ground crews, particularly the team supervisors and am impressed by the level of enthusiasm, dedication and interest in the importance of environmental outcomes in the clean up effort.

The clean up program has been complemented by a grant from the Commonwealth government's Caring for Our Country Disaster Recovery program. These funds provide critical resources such as plants, materials, equipment and coordination to commence restoration of critical habitat sites, nature refuges, waterways and wildlife corridors. Funds will also be allocated to minimise weed invasion, increase pig control and develop tools for fire management for land managers.

Terrain is also working with Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), who are implementing an important volunteer program in tandem with operation clean up and the Caring for our Country Disaster Recovery Program. Volunteers add significantly to the work effort and bring people from a range of backgrounds and nationalities to help with the priority environmental recovery projects. To learn more about CVA, visit their website at: www.conservationvolunteers.com.au.

By combining the Queensland government clean up program with Commonwealth funds for environmental recovery with Terrain's local knowledge, technical skills and regional focus, the total package aims to significantly boost the recovery of the far north's valuable environmental values.

Tania Simmons has joined Terrain for the next six months to work as the Environmental Coordinator for this program. Tania has many years of experience within the wet tropics and Cape York in land management and her extensive knowledge of the region, its community and the values that make this area so important are proving invaluable.

Many of you may already know Bart Dryden who takes on the critical role of Works Coordinator to oversee all six work crews. His extensive experience in local government, site assessment, weed and feral animal management and work supervision ensure that the on ground work will be successful.

Both are working closely with government agencies, land owners, Councils, Traditional owners and the River Improvements Trusts to ensure that the best possible results are achieved for land owners, the environment and community.

For details, contact Terrain on 4043 8000 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tania or Bart can help you if you know of private or public land sites requiring attention.

I hope to visit a number of sites over the next six months, I encourage you to keep an eye out for the work crews and see what they are working on.

In this period of time, now four months since the cyclone, we know that many of us are still coping with the stress and emotional impact of the events, but I am encouraged by the fact that many of the projects to help this region are now well and truly underway and this project is about the long term recovery of the landscape so important to all of us.

Warm regards

Carole