The dedication of the Umpila Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) has been celebrated with a ceremony in Lockhart River, in Far North Queensland, marking a major milestone for Umpila Traditional Owners and the north‑eastern Cape York region.
The newly dedicated Umpila IPA covers 42,803 hectares stretching from the rainforest slopes of the McIlwraith and Macrossan Ranges to the estuaries, wetlands and coastal ecosystems of the Coral Sea.
Umpila Traditional Owners aspire to expand the dedicated Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the future to protect more than 489,000 hectares of interconnected land and sea Country.
The Umpila IPA sits within one of Australia’s most biodiverse landscapes, supporting intact rainforest, heathlands, wetlands, seagrass beds, mangroves and coral reef systems.
The area is home to native species like the Palm Cockatoo, Southern Cassowary, McIlwraith leaf‑tailed gecko, Green Python, Dugong and multiple marine turtle species.
Management activities will include biodiversity monitoring, cultural site protection, right‑way fire, feral animal and weed control and visitor management.
The dedication also strengthens regional conservation connectivity, linking the IPA with Kulla (McIlwraith Range) and Oyala Thumptang National Parks to form a large, protected estate across central Cape York.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
“Congratulations to the Umpila Traditional Owners and community for the dedication of the Umpila Indigenous Protected Area.
“This is an extraordinary part of Australia, rich in biodiversity and cultural significance, and today’s dedication ensures it will be protected for generations to come.
“The Umpila IPA strengthens cultural authority and custodianship, supports the revitalisation of language and cultural practice, and creates employment and training opportunities for Umpila people.
“With this dedication, Australia continues to make strong progress toward protecting 30 per cent of our land by 2030.
“This dedication reflects the deep connection between Umpila people and their Country, and the commitment to protecting cultural and environmental values together.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“The dedication of the Umpila Indigenous Protected Area demonstrates the vision and leadership of Traditional Owners and Indigenous Rangers in caring for Country, while creating opportunities that deliver social, cultural and economic benefits.
“Cape York is a beautiful, diverse and unique part of Australia, and this IPA dedication will ensure First Nations people remain at the forefront of land and sea management, conservation and caring for Country.
“Alongside our expanded Indigenous Rangers Program, which includes the Umpila Rangers, IPAs mean more opportunities for economic empowerment for First Nations people and communities, while caring for Country.
“I congratulate the Umpila Traditional Owners and community on this dedication.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith:
"The Umpila IPA covers 489,000 hectares of Australia's outstanding beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance and I congratulate the Umpila Traditional Owners on their custodianship of this land and sea country, helping to protect our native species like cassowaries, dugongs, palm cockatoos and many more.
"The Umpila IPA, together with Kulla National Park and Oyala Thumptang National Park, provides the largest unbroken section of protected rainforest on Cape York. Today's dedication reinforces the Albanese Labor Government's work towards the National 30 by 30 Roadmap to protect and conserve 30% of Australia’s land by 2030."