To see Byron, Ethan, Troy and Peter delivering this presentation, go to our Youtube channel at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNY7OTdU8nM

1. Reducing feral camel impacts across remote
Australia:
Australian Feral Camel Management Project
21st November 2013, Parliament House Theatre, Canberra

2. Session Two: Governance and Delivery
Speakers:
Billy Landy, Mark Jeffries and Peter See
Byron Brooks, Ethan Hansen, Troy Hansen and Peter Twigg
Mike Eathorne, Meramist Pty Ltd
Andy Bubb, Ninti One
John Virtue, Biosecurity SA
Bidda Jones, RSPCA

3. Camels in Country: The Rules
of Engagement in Spinifex
Lands.
Presenters: Byron Brooks,
Ethan Hansen, Troy Hansen
and Dr. Peter Twigg

4. Spinifex Country, GVD in WA

5. Spinifex Country Detail

6. Spinifex location in the Great Victoria Desert, WA
• Native Title was determined by Federal Court at
Kulgarpin in November 2000
• 55,000 hectares of pristine land held under Native
Title
• Nganyatjara Lands to the north
• Pilki country to the West
• Serpentine Lakes on Eastern border was identified as
a ‘Camel Hotspot’
• Tjuntjuntjara is the major Spinifex community of 180
people and southern pillar of Western Desert culture
• Ilkurlka in the middle of claim area on the Serpentine
Lakes Road.

7. Rules of Engagement
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Will return to these themes at the end of presentation:
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Begin with the presumption that we are talking about Aboriginal
land
Puts things on the table that are relevant to each party
Understands that opportunities will be found with converging
benefits
Engages as equal parties; that includes economics and
commercial relations. Fair dollar for fair work
Work with timetables that suit the community, flexibility allows
targeting, maximum returns and success
Foster all opportunities for dual purpose activities
Full disclosure about what is happening, when and why
Utilises and develops local capacity for logistics and support
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8. Helicopters & Camels
Two converging themes which brought us all to the table and led to
the success of our partnership program with AFCMP
Today, want to tell two separate but converging stories that have
taken place within Spinifex Country over the past several years.
- One is about a rising concern about the impact of camels
- The other is about the value of helicopters for those who hold
country.
The AFCMP provided Spinifex with the opportunity to bring both of
these themes together.

9. Camel Story 1: Finding Tjitjidii
• Finding Tjitjidii, in 2009 on the fourth
expedition attempt, approx 2oo Kms NE
from Tjuntjuntjara
• Soak on edge of a large salt lake system
• Cross 44 sandhills to come out
• Subsequently an access road created
• Community convoy first visit in many years
• Excitement, big achievement, happy
• (postscript, shed tank now in place)

10. Dead camels in rockholes
• Tjitjidi cleaning Image (lost image!) But can tell
story of smell.
• Tjitjidii is a soak, permanent water. Very valueable
lake based site with extensive use.
• A major 4 x 4 vehicle expedition was mounted after
it was found to visit and clean.
• Cleaning out camel bones and fat
• Big stink lasts for days.
• Water bright pink that first visit.
• Awakened many memories; but disturbed by
camels

11. Tjitjidii

12. Helicopter Story 1: Finding Irlbillii, Soak
country East of Mirramiratjara
• Irlbilli is a soak. Permanent water in the far
central/north zone of Spinifex Country
• In years gone by a most precious water source
• Major and popular Spinifex site
• No chance of visiting by road
• Incredible story of granting an old man a final wish
• Anangu directing a helicopter for Anangu ends.
• Careful use images of person today. Memories.
• Painted many, many times. Retold, loved.

13. Irlbilli

14. A new, direct partnership sealed at Ilkurlka

15. Command post established at Mirramiratjara

16. The moment arrives, chopper fueled and ready
for the search

17. 22 Minutes to Irlbilli

18. First digging of soak in almost 50 years.

19. Camel Story 2: Wayanu Dreaming
Wayanu = Quandong
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Wayanu is part of the Tjukurpa
Camel loves to eat Wayanu
Slow growing semi parasitic plant
Favorite food of Kalaya, the Emu
Delicious early summer fruit
Tell a story here about a huge Wayanu in a
beautiful valley near Neales Junction
• Story comes from a Biological Survey

20. Jamu Wayanu in the Valley, 6m

21. “The future of Wayanu in Australia”

22. Coming of the AFCMP, 2010

23. Arrival of the AFCMP
• Guys with maps, questions ……….. and
helicopters!
• Community meetings with the ACFCMP
team and Spinifex Elders
• Flying in Spinifex to identify sites, water
and camel concentrations
• Joint work to provide logistical support
• Spinifex map begins to populate

24. The convergence: Helicopter story 2

25. Meeting at Ilkurlka; round one

26. Expedition team - remote logistics

27. Chaos and Planning

28. Following old memories and tracks

29. Amazing feeling above but still in the landscape

30. Fast-tracking the search for sites

31. In country again

32. Supporting the AFCMP
• Spinifex undertaking logistical works for
the program
• Camps established to extend the range
• Fuel dumps created and Elders shuttled
around
• The partnership grows.

33. Taking partnership opportunities
presented
• Roadworks undertaken to increase the range
and access for the program and future Ranger
works
• Aerial shoot starts to impact on camel numbers,
see less tracks on roads
• Helicopter team supports Spinifex Mapping
work
• Biological specimens extended; gunna bags
• Rangers working further afield
• Ground shooting training for Spinifex Rangers

34. Training Spinifex Rangers for ground shooting

35. Shoot training for Spinifex Rangers
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Serious Training Unit established at Ilkurlka
Shoot Range built by Rangers
On the ground and intensive, 5 days
Range based first, emphasis on safety, technique and
maintenance of weapons
• Ground shooting training, night vision, ambush and GPS
logging of camels
• Butchery training
• Spinifex Rangers all succeeded in passing the course
• Spinifex Rangers currently more than 450 camels shot
with ground techniques.

36. Target work on Range

37. Capable, armed and effective

38. Spinifex Rangers bringing it all together

39. Managing Spinifex Lands
• Control of camel numbers in bulk by
helicopter
• Ground shooting by Spinifex Rangers
• Opportunities for cross fertilisation
between inside and outside world
• Common goal against camels
• Promoting biodiversity initiatives
• Future win win for both Government and
Native Title holders

40. To Kalkali and beyond

41. Comments on Rules of Engagement
• Lessons from Spinifex engagement
process
• Valuable partnership grown over time
• Both parties in win – win
• Ground well established for ongoing
relations
• Training, capacity, economics.
• Opportunity to support deep management
of the Australian national estate

42. Ranger conclusions on Camels,
Country and Engagement

43. Getting Directions

45. www.nintione.com.au