Protecting the Environment for Everyone’s Benefit

Lake Woods and the grazing lands around it are vital to CPC’s business, providing an ideal area for cattle all year round. However, productivity is only part of the land’s importance. This area is also environmentally and socially significant. As the largest fresh water lake in the Northern Territory, Lake Woods is recognised as a Wetland of International Importance and is a popular cultural and recreational area for local people.

CPC is committed to ensuring the ongoing sustainable management of the area for everyone who uses it, and in 2009 signed a formal agreement to that effect with the government of the Northern Territory.

By world standards, Lake Woods is relatively undisturbed with little disruption to the natural eco-system and CPC is endeavouring to keep it that way. This means maintaining the native habitat in a condition that will support the large and diverse resident and migratory waterbird populations. With nationally threatened species such as the Australian Painted Snipe being spotted at the lake, this is clearly a habitat worth protecting.

Floodwater flows are the lifeblood of the wetlands of the arid centre of Australia and CPC is one of only two landholders that control the catchment of the lake. One of the main threats is the build-up of weeds and the company has put a detailed weed management strategy in place that is already showing good results. Best practice grazing is being used to maintain water levels and limit the impact of CPC's activity on them.

The lake has a deep significance to the indigenous people of the region and CPC continues to engage local indigenous people, most recently working with the regions Primary School to assist children in understanding management of the lake.

As for the future, apart from carrying on the good work already under way, CPC is working with conservation agencies to fund research to develop our understanding of this unique environment and ensure its protection for future generations.

(Photo Credit to Matt Bolam) Pelicans – Lake Woods

(Photo Credit to Chris Tzaros) Little Black Cormorant

(Photo Credit to Chris Tzaros) Australian Painted Snipe