Low Isles Preservation Society (LIPS)

The Low Isles Preservation Society (LIPS) is a conservation group dedicated to the protection and preservation of the Low Isles, the marine, coastal and rainforest environments of far north Queensland. Its principle objective is to promote awareness, preservation and enhancement of the environmental, cultural and historical values of Low Isles and the surrounding areas.

Background

In 1992, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority announced it was removing its lighthouse keepers from the Low Isles and automating the lighthouse. The Marine Parks, to whom the title would be transferred, was unsure off the future of Low Isles. At a small public meeting in September 1992 they expressed their concerns that they were under funded and could not afford to protect Low isles on their own. Furthermore, they did not know how to entice an organisation into protecting Low Isles with no obvious profit incentive.

A working group of local community members organised a public meeting to rally the community to save Low Isles from what would happen once the lighthouse keepers were removed. They felt the community had deep love for the island and it could work together with marine parks to protect it. A large community forum was organised to seek views of the different user groups. Over 200 residents (population of Port Douglas being 3660) Attended the meeting and voted to form an incorporated organisation designed to:

Protect Low Isles

Promote research

Promote education

A steering committee was elected which spent hundred of volunteer hours working to create a draft proposal for the protection of Low isles through community participation and involvement in maintenance.

Funding & Support

LIPS was fortunate that the proposal was well received by all stakeholders: Graham Kelleher at GBRMPA, Greg Wellard QDE, Paul Greenfield at the University of Queensland, Douglas Shire Council, Mike Berwick Mayor DSC, Steve Brechauer State Member for Cook, Peter Dodd Federal Member of Leichardt. This allowed Lips to successfully attract a Federal grant of 1.5 million.

Cooperative Management

This grant expanded the horizon of LIPS. Through discussions with Marine Parks, the community became not only involved co management of Low Isles, but also in developing programs designed to research, interpret and protect coral reefs at a community level.

In order to achieve its aims, LIPS encouraged and supported the employment of marine rangers and staff by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS). Once based at Low Isles, a ranger in charge and an indigenous ranger based at Port Douglas and an administration position that provided support and public contact for both LIPS and QPWS. The Federal Grant also allowed LIPS to establish various volunteer programs.