Media Release May 13 2010: New manager for Australia's vital Feral Camel Management Project

The announcement today of Mr Quentin Hart as the national project manager of the Feral Camel Management Project will provide a new focus on protection for the biodiversity, communities, landholders and commercial operations in remote Australia under threat from feral camels.

The Feral Camel Management Project is a national approach, which is being undertaken by Ninti One Ltd with $19 million over four years from the Australian Government's Caring for our Country program. For the first time, it brings together all of the relevant state and territory governments (SA, WA, Qld, NT), Aboriginal organisations across the four jurisdictions (land trusts, corporations and land councils), NRM boards, conservation groups, the pastoral industry and commercial interests.

Mr Hart has over 15 years' experience directly involved in invasive species science and policy, including with the peak national policy body, the Vertebrate Pests Committee, and on the expert writing group for the Australian Pest Animal Strategy.

As manager of the Australian Government's National Feral Animal Control Program – a grants program to develop and promote improved approaches to reduce the impacts of feral animals – he managed the Australian Government contract with the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre for major feral camel research that contributed to the information base for the current Caring for our Country project.

The Managing Director of Ninti One Ltd, Jan Ferguson, said today that she was very pleased that Mr Hart had agreed to accept this important role.

"As project manager, Mr Hart will be integral in coordinating and developing our efforts and working with a range of partners and stakeholders, to mitigate the impact of feral camels on desert ecosystems, the pastoral industry, Aboriginal settlements and public safety," Ms Ferguson said.

"With his experience and in-depth knowledge of many of the issues, I am sure Mr Hart will quickly make a significant contribution to the project.

"The key priority for the Feral Camel Management Project is addressing the urgent need to significantly reduce feral camel numbers so as to lessen their impacts on the economic, cultural and social values of remote Australia."

Media contacts:
Jan Ferguson, Managing Director, 08 8959 6041 or 0401 719 882
Mark Ashley, General Manager Operations, 0488 155 063
Dale Starr, Feral Camel Management Project media, 0404 282 178