Management Priorities
Fire management is a priority for Marion Downs
Marion Downs is in relatively good condition, largely because of its isolation and the lack of significant pastoral development on the property. However, it is under threat from the impacts of extensive, late dry season wildfires and feral animals. Key management priorities will include :
- Establish and maintain infrastructure and assets. AWC will need to
- build accommodation for sanctuary managers and ecologists;
- establish and repair fencing;
- repair critical roads;
- establish a solar power facility.
- Conduct biological surveys. Marion Downs is biologically unexplored. It will be important to conduct an inventory of species on Marion Downs and map key habitats. This provides a baseline for measuring the effect of future land management.
- Threat management. Active, on-ground management is required to address key threats.
- An active program of fire management will involve burning from the air and from the ground.
- Cattle and donkey numbers need to be controlled by fencing and a destocking program
- There are few weeds on Marion Downs, which means it is important to establish and implement measures that will prevent the establishment of invasive species.
- Scientific research. Marion Downs will be a base for field research helping to unlock the secrets to survival for the wildlife of northern Australia.
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