The local pest management projects at Windy Hill and Benthorn farm provide us with an example of what social and economic benefits can accrue from actively conserving our environment. Both these projects are managed under the umbrella of a charitable Trust providing a sound structure for funding and employment. Since the Windy Hill (1999) and the Benthorn Farm (2001) projects began the Windy Hill Rosalie Bay Catchment Trust has raised $332,494 through grants and $163,981 through WINZ subsidised work schemes. A total of $496,475. The bulk of this has been returned to the community in the form of wages. Ten full time positions and one part time position have been created since 1999, a significant achievement in an area of high un-employment. The social benefits of taking unemployed people, some long term, and training them to become conservation professionals can not be underestimated. Jobs that make the most of a passion for the outdoors, hunting, learning about species and the best ways to manage a balance between them, result in employees who can maximise previously undervalued skills.

To prepare for an eradication of feral cats and rats from this Island would require a large work force — work would focus on such things as establishing quarantine procedures, pre-eradication monitoring ( finding out what we’ve got), assessing areas for hand-baiting versus aerial baiting, pre-trialling non-toxic baits etc. Post eradication mop up of feral cats alone would take a team of a dozen field workers up to five years. There will be jobs aplenty just focussed on the eradication and post eradication requirements.

The subsequent ecotourism that would result as the Island is marketed on this unique point of difference is unknown at this time but we know from Stewart and Lord Howe Islands that interest in these types of places is high. Current estimates show an increase of 10% in visitors at Stewart Island since it was made a National Park.

How we manage volumes of tourists is going to need careful consideration. The aim would be to maximise accommodation and infrastructure across the entire year avoiding the 3-4 week summer peak. Marketing the Island to niche groups such as wildlife lovers, bird enthusiasts, hikers, and adventure seeking international tourists would achieve this as their interests can be provided for throughout the year. Offering a range of activities for different ages, interests and costs is also important. At the same time we need to plan to ensure we do not loose the lifestyle we enjoy nor negatively impact on our environment — that in itself could create a few jobs.

Work creation is a cornerstone of any economy and its social wellbeing — I can see no other immediate path for Great Barrier that has such potential to radically change the environmental, social and economic fabric of this place as making this Island rat and feral cat free.