The Cassowary Recovery Team (CRT) met again on 16 July 2025 to give updates on priorities for cassowary conservation and recovery efforts across Queensland. Representatives from state and local government, research institutions, traditional owner groups, and community organisations—including C4—participated in detailed discussions covering road mortality, habitat protection, monitoring tools, and the future of cassowary data governance.
Key topics
1. Vehicle strike detection trials
Vehicle-related cassowary deaths continue to be a major threat. A vehicle strike detection system was agreed to be promising but currently cost-prohibitive, with an estimated $300,000–$400,000 required for a 12-month trial in Carmoo. Speed limit reductions in Kuranda and Mission Beach were cited as effective, with one CRT member stating:
“Once the speed limit was reduced from 80 to 60, we’ve had no more hits or deaths. So that’s got to say something.”
2. Fine-scale mapping for habitat protection
A new Mission Beach Habitat Network review was announced. The project, funded by the Cassowary Coast Regional Council, focuses on fine-scale biodiversity mapping and integrating that data into local planning schemes.
“We’re working to ensure the environmental overlays in the planning schemes actually protect cassowary habitat—and that the protections are enforceable.”
3. Cassowary sightings data
A major point of discussion was the Queensland Government’s direction toward becoming the central holder of cassowary sightings and incident data via their QWildlife app. CRT members raised concerns about access, transparency and the app’s ease-of-use. The government has assured the group that the app’s data will eventually be made publicly available, and training on how to use the app would be considered. CRT members, many of which collect their own cassowary data, advocated strongly for:
- Integrated data from all sources (community, citizen science, researchers, rangers);
- Public access to the data particularly for conservation groups;
- Support for complementary datasets like the Significant Cassowary Incident Mapping (SCIM) project.
4. Genetics research
Several speakers highlighted the need for coordinated monitoring and updated population studies. Early-stage plans were discussed for a new multi-year cassowary population and genetics study, with DETSI indicating they will seek Cabinet-level funding for the initiative.
Next steps
The CRT agreed to write formally to the Minister for Environment and Transport to request funding and support for vehicle strike mitigation trials and data-sharing.
C4 members are encouraged to:
- Advocate for open access to wildlife data;
- Participate in mapping and planning consultations;
- Continue sharing cassowary sightings via Cassowary Sightings
C4 will continue to represent our region’s voice in these discussions and ensure that local conservation knowledge remains central to state-level decisions. We will also provide updates on how the government’s proposed open data commitments evolve.
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