We would like to inform residents and visitors that Wanuwuy (Cape Arnhem) will be closed for a period of six weeks between the 14th of August and the 25th of September.  This decision has been made by the Traditional Owners for that country.
 
We are entering a period of peak turtle nesting activity, and would like to give the turtles and hatchlings the best chance of survival.  Wanuwuy is a key nesting area for Green Turtles in particular, but this region is inhabited by six of the world’s seven species and all of these are listed nationally as vulnerable or endangered.  An individual female  Green Turtle nests approximately every 3 years, and lays 1-6 clutches of between 70 and 110 eggs. Only one in one thousand hatchlings survives to maturity, so we need to give them a helping hand.
 
We appreciate the inconvenience this may cause, and thank everybody for their patience during this time.  Bookings for Wanuwuy can be made for after this closure period.  Key Traditional Owners will continue to have access to this area during the closure period, but everyone else will be excluded.

Dhimurru is please to advise that the much needed repairs to the Goanna track and crossing have been finished. The general recreation area is now OPEN.

A huge thank you to YBE for their efforts to get this work complete and for their continued support with track management within the Dhimurru recreation areas.

Thank you to the community for your patience during this necessary closure.

Happy School Holidays!

Dhimurru wishes to advise that Latram River General Recreation Area has been inspected and cleared and is now back OPEN.

Goanna Lagoon will still remain CLOSED at present until repair work to the crossing is completed.
Thank you to the community for your support and patience during this process.

Nhulun is closed from Wednesday 4th April through to Monday 9th April inclusive, to ALL traffic including pedestrian.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Due to the recent monsoon wet weather Gove has received lately, the Latram River and Goanna Lagoon (Wathawuy) recreational areas are now CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
 
Dhimurru Rangers have been working hard over the past 12 months to repair the long term environmental damage that has accumulated over the past 40 years at Wathawuy. In the interest of maintaining the structure of the track surface and establishing the root system of the new tree planting we have decided that closing the area for the remainder of the wet season, is the most appropriate way to ensure sustainability for the long term. 
 
Dhimurru have recently spent over $200K to resurface access tracks into Goanna and the Latram, thanks to Government funding. This includes a new crossing, allowing extended recreational use to the area over the wet season.  We have expanded amenities for visitors and planted trees for future rehabilitation, aesthetics and shade. Thanks to the YBE nursery team and Faye Lawton from Rio Tinto for making this happen.
 
Ranger patrols and maintenance will still be conducted in the area and we hope the community will respect this decision.
 
Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation apologises to the community for any inconvenience and we hope the dry weather returns soon. Please look at the Designated Recreational Area status sign on Melville Bay Road for the latest updates or log into www.dhimurru.com.au or our Facebook page.

Last Sunday, 28th January, Dhimurru was called out for an unusual request to remove a Baru, seen alongside the fence-line at the back of G3 Camp.
 
Around lunch time Gumatj community member Gapanbulu Yunupingu reported the wandering Baru, and assisted Dhimurru Senior Ranger Gathapura Mununggurr and Project Facilitator Paul Augustin in the capture.  It is assumed the Baru had travelled along the drainage system from either the town lagoon or the ocean from East Woody.
 
Dhimurru would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that Baru are everywhere and are on the move in the wet season. They can, and do as seen on Sunday, show up anywhere not just in places you might expect.   Please be especially careful when near any body of water including the town lagoon.   Also, take the time to educate your children on the dangers of crocodiles when venturing out with their friends.
 
Dhimurru is grateful for the sponsorship funds it receives from Rio Tinto Gove Operations to assist in the management of Baru of the region.  This sponsorship, along with the NT Parks and Wildlife CrocWise talks that Dhimurru conduct at schools and childcare facilities, aids in keeping the community safe.
 
Please report any Baru sightings to Dhimurru so they can keep the community informed.
Always keep an eye out when recreating in the Dhimurru IPA.
 
Do not assume just because you have not seen a Baru that they’re not around.
They are watching you!

Nhamirri bukmak,
I am very pleased to announce that a new Executive Officer has been appointed to Dhimurru.

New to NE Arnhem, Christine Burke will be commencing on February 5. Christine has University qualifications in Australian Indigenous Archaeology and a wealth of experience working in Natural Resource Management and looking after country - working closely with Indigenous traditional owners and custodians. Christine’s career path included 5 years as Park Manager at Uluru Kata Tjuta and most recently working in Timor Leste as an Organisational Mentor.

Christine has posted a short biography detailing her background and aspirations on Dhimurru’s website http://www.dhimurru.com.au/staff.html .

Please join us in welcoming Christine as she takes up her important leadership role with us in Dhimurru.

Regards,
Rarrtjiwuy Melanie Herdman
Dhimurru Chairperson

The Management and Staff of Dhimurru would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas, and best wishes for the coming year. We would also like to thank everyone for their continued support.

Dhimurru will be closed over the Christmas period.
Closing at 1pm Thursday 21st December and
re-opening at 9.30am Monday 8th January.

Patrols of Designated Recreational Areas will take place during this holiday period, so please make sure you have the required General Access and Special Permits if you are venturing outside the town lease.

All permits can be obtained online HERE

 
Fire is an important part of our landscape. Plants and animals have co-evolved with fire and Yolŋu expert use of fire as a management tool. Yolŋu fire management over tens of thousands of years has largely shaped the landscape we see today. Well-timed, targeted and clever use of fire has notable ecological benefits, often significantly increasing biological productivity and biodiversity.  As visitors to this country you are likely to encounter fires, particularly if you visit during the drier months.
 
During the dry season Dhimurru works alongside land owners to maintain a fire regime that aims to emulate traditional burning techniques and promotes. This involves burning country in a prescribed way, with different types of burns for different areas and burning to help to keep country open or to break up solid patches of fuel, to control weeds to promote new plant growth for wildlife to utilise, or to protect resources by carefully reducing fuel loads.
 
As is the case in other areas of Australia, fires should be treated with caution. In this part of the world however the risks of intense fast fires are much less than in other parts of Australia. Our savanna vegetation produces far less flammable oils and has an open woodland structure.
 
During the camping season (early through mid-dry season) fires are generally of  low intensity, produce a patchy burn do not travel quickly and have a low flame height all representing low risk. Nonetheless, fires are to be avoided. Apart from the danger open flames pose to people and equipment, the associated smoke can be hazardous to your health, particularly for those who suffer respiratory complaints, and can reduce visibility creating traffic hazards. Be particularly aware that trees can be weakened by fire and may fall over during and after a burn.
 
Hot late season fires can be very damaging as they reach up into the tree canopy and threaten wildlife. Generally we avoid late season fires and take care to burn country at the right time. People are less likely to be out camping in these conditions because it is hot and uncomfortable.
 
When visiting our recreation areas we recommend you take care to ensure that vehicles and camping equipment are kept in the open areas we have established. We do not recommend driving through an area whilst it is burning but rather postpone your travel until the fire has passed. Always stay on the tracks and be particularly careful to assess trees close to the road or your camp that may be at risk of falling. If you have a respiratory complaint you should take extra care to make sure that you are not going to be caught in a smoky environment. Keep an eye out on the horizon for smoke and be aware of wind direction and strength. Plan ahead and if you think you are at risk then take precautions. If there is time you may choose to leave the area but otherwise make sure the area around your camp and vehicle is clear. There is no need to panic and you will be safe as long as you stay on tracks and cleared areas, and carefully assess trees adjacent to you.