MINCA'S long and glorious history
LAND ACQUISITIONS/PRESERVATIONS
1996 - Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve
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.
2002 - Bolger Bay Conservation Park
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 in 2001 after MINCA had obtained status as an organisation on the Register of Environmental Organisations (since extended to charitable status with the ACNC). This status means that donations to MINCA greater than $2 are tax deductible.
2021- Claude's Block
In 2021, MINCA raised over $300,000.00 to purchase Claude's Block - a 5.33 hectare block of land beside the Bolger Bay Conservation Park. The block had been cleared in the 1960s, but was regenerating with local native plants. Unfortunately, it was also home for many exotic weeds As surrounding properties were either National Park, Conservation Park or privately owned Nature Refuges, Claude's block, as freehold, when purchased, would eliminate the missing protected area within the larger established, protected zone. With plans to regenerate the land and reestablish blue gums very suited to the area (and a favourite of Koalas) MINCA was successful in acquiring the land and bringing it under protection.
1996 - Nelly Bay Habitat Reserve
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.
2002 - Bolger Bay Conservation Park
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 in 2001 after MINCA had obtained status as an organisation on the Register of Environmental Organisations (since extended to charitable status with the ACNC). This status means that donations to MINCA greater than $2 are tax deductible.
2021- Claude's Block
In 2021, MINCA raised over $300,000.00 to purchase Claude's Block - a 5.33 hectare block of land beside the Bolger Bay Conservation Park. The block had been cleared in the 1960s, but was regenerating with local native plants. Unfortunately, it was also home for many exotic weeds As surrounding properties were either National Park, Conservation Park or privately owned Nature Refuges, Claude's block, as freehold, when purchased, would eliminate the missing protected area within the larger established, protected zone. With plans to regenerate the land and reestablish blue gums very suited to the area (and a favourite of Koalas) MINCA was successful in acquiring the land and bringing it under protection.
 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) |
 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) |
ACHIEVEMENTS 1996 to 2024
Over the years, in addition to the two major land acquisition/protection activities mentioned above, MINCA has also:
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 and ongoing rehabilitation projects around Magnetic Island
- Produced the flier Magnetic Island’s Worst Weeds
- Assisted with NQ Dry Tropics plantings at the Horseshoe Bay Water Treatment Plant
- Implemented a successful program to control the Caster Oil plant on Magnetic Island
- Collaborated with landowners in the maintenance of Bolger Bay Conservation Park
- Collaborated with Townsville City Council (TCC) in developing the West Point Road management plan, the TCC plan and other planning instruments
- Assisted with the provision of animal warning reflectors around Magnetic Island
- Collaborated with the Magnetic Island Community Development Association (MICDA) and the federal government, on the identification of World Heritage values for Magnetic 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 and a 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
2020 AND BEYOND
MINCA's hard-working team of dedicated volunteers continues to work on a variety of projects around Magnetic Island including the continued management of the Bolger Bay Conservation Park, consultations with the Port of Townsville regarding the proposed port extension plans, keeping an eye on development proposals for Radical Bay, recommending alternatives to the proposed Picnic Bay Sewerage Treatment water overflow, and regular weeding and habitat regeneration initiatives around Magnetic Island. The acquisition, in 2021, of Claude's Block, which includes a dwelling and a large shed was a major milestone for MINCA enabling the organisation to focus many of its regeneration activities. It's become a physical 'home' for MINCA and will provide secure housing for equipment belonging to the West Point Rural Fire Brigade.
Visit our Become a member page and join us to preserve our World Heritage Magentic Island.
MINCA's hard-working team of dedicated volunteers continues to work on a variety of projects around Magnetic Island including the continued management of the Bolger Bay Conservation Park, consultations with the Port of Townsville regarding the proposed port extension plans, keeping an eye on development proposals for Radical Bay, recommending alternatives to the proposed Picnic Bay Sewerage Treatment water overflow, and regular weeding and habitat regeneration initiatives around Magnetic Island. The acquisition, in 2021, of Claude's Block, which includes a dwelling and a large shed was a major milestone for MINCA enabling the organisation to focus many of its regeneration activities. It's become a physical 'home' for MINCA and will provide secure housing for equipment belonging to the West Point Rural Fire Brigade.
Visit our Become a member page and join us to preserve our World Heritage Magentic Island.
MINCA's current logo
The logo depicts a hoop pine tree, rocks, and a kapok flower.
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MINCA's previous logo
The logo depicts a hoop pine tree, rocks, a kapok flower and the sun, all within a 'C' (for care)
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