The document discusses the Great Eastern Ranges Connectivity Corridor, a proposed conservation area extending 2800 km along Australia's eastern ranges. It contains a high proportion of Australia's plant and animal species, including many endemic and ancient species. The corridor was officially launched in 2007 with $7 million in funding. It aims to protect ecosystems and increase connectivity between protected areas from the Australian Alps to Atherton, to benefit biodiversity and communities. Governments are working to establish effective governance and integrate diverse conservation strategies along the corridor.

1. The Great Eastern Ranges Connectivity Corridor of Australia A presentation by Graeme Worboys and Ian Pulsford

2. 2800 kilometres along the eastern ranges of Australia Great Eastern Ranges from the Australian Alps to Atherton (A2A)

9. Greater Glider

10. SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S BIODIVERSITY (Attiwill and Wilson 2006) 213 Mammals (77% in forested areas) 770 Birds (38% in forested areas) 191 Amphibians (53% in forested areas) 658 Reptiles (33% in forested areas) Total: 1832 species A2A latitudinal variation: it includes 14 Bioregions of Australia’s 85 A2A: estimated to be 8250 vascular plant species (of 23,000) A2A: refugia for ancient plants

12. Image: Liz Dovey

16. This presentation focuses on Eastern Australia, from the Australian Alps to Atherton

19. Great Eastern Ranges Connectivity Corrido r

20. Includes an Archipelago of protected areas along the East Coast of Australia

21. Effective park management in separate parks along the GER since the early 1900 ’s

22. Forest “wars” in parts of the GER in the 1970’s, 80’s and 90’s

23. Creation of new protected area and a commitment to connectivity conservation in the 1990’s

24. Natural connectivity along the Great Eastern Ranges, 2009

27. Governments of Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Victoria agreed to help achieve the Great Eastern Ranges Corridor from the Australian Alps (Victoria) to Atherton in Queensland

28. GER launched February 2007 $AUD7 million dollar allocation

29. Great Eastern Ranges connectivity conservation potential Atherton tablelands Australian Alps Black line: Great Dividing Range Red line: Great Escarpment Dark Green: Protected Areas Light Green: State Forests Yellow highlight : Potential GER connectivity Atherton tablelands Australian Alps

30. Vision “ The ecosystems of Australia’s great eastern ranges to be healthy and interconnected from the Australian Alps to Atherton and beyond, and contributing to the long term economic, social, cultural and spiritual well-being of the community”

31. Great Eastern Ranges Governance Environment Protection and Heritage Council Agencies working group: NSW, VIC, QLD, ACT, COMMONWEALTH NSW Environment Trust (Chair- Minister) GER sub-committee DECCW Agencies Partners (eg Catchment Management Authorities, Greening Australia) Stakeholders Scientific/technical reference group Aboriginal reference group

32. Connectivity conservation in Australia NSW Leadership

36. NSW lead partners groups

37. Initially a Government facilitated initiative in NSW To be transformed into a community based governance model