World Heritage Magnetic Island -
worth caring for...
worth caring for...
MINCA'S LONG AND GLORIOUS STORY
Established in 1996, largely to help create and manage the Nelly Bay
Habitat Reserve, MINCA has since broadened, strengthened and grown – increasing
its membership and collaborating with local, state and federal governments and
with other community organisations in a variety of activities designed to
protect and conserve the Island’s World Heritage-listed environment. MINCA is an incorporated association operating under approved Rules of Association.
In 2002, with government and private assistance, MINCA purchased a 14 hectare block of land at Bolger Bay, which, as trustee, it now manages as a conservation park. Purchase of the block was facilitated by that fact that in 2001, after much work, MINCA had obtained status as an organisation on the Register of Environmental Organisations. This status means that donations to MINCA greater than $2 are tax deductible.
In 2002, with government and private assistance, MINCA purchased a 14 hectare block of land at Bolger Bay, which, as trustee, it now manages as a conservation park. Purchase of the block was facilitated by that fact that in 2001, after much work, MINCA had obtained status as an organisation on the Register of Environmental Organisations. This status means that donations to MINCA greater than $2 are tax deductible.
 Part of the Interpretive Facilities at Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve (Photo: Wendy Tubman) |
 The magically lit understorey at Bolger Bay Conservation Park (Photo: Pen Sheridan) |
Over the years, in addition to the two major land acquisition/protection activities mentioned above, MINCA has also:
- Undertaken a large number of one-off or on-going rehabilitation projects around the Island
- Produced the flier Magnetic Island’s ‘Worst Weeds’
- Assisted with dry tropics plantings at the Horseshoe Bay water treatment plant
- Implemented a successful program to control caster oil plant on the island
- Collaborated with landowners in the maintenance of Bolger Bay Nature Refuge
- Collaborated with TCC in development of the West Point Road management plan, the TCC plan and other planning instruments
- Assisted with the provision of animal warning reflectors around the island
- Collaborated with MICDA and the federal government on the identification of World Heritage values for the island
- Hosted talks by ABC radio gardening guru, Phil Murray, and Greening Australia officer, Belinda Bickley
- Organized the 'Carbon Cuts' short film competition (funded by DERM)
- Organized the 'Low Carbon Diet Inter-Bay Challenge' (funded by DERM)
- Convened a '350.org' rally at Picnic Bay & vigil at the RSL markets in support of the international carbon emissions reduction campaign
- Established the Magnetic Island branch of 'Freecycle'
- Provided input to a large number of Federal, State and local government plans and strategies
 The '350.org' vigil at the RSL markets, held in support of action to limit human-induced climate change (Photo: George Hirst) |
 An attentive MI audience listens to local ABC radio gardening guru Phil Murray's talk on sustainable gardening (Photo: George Hirst) |
