Appointed by the Wet Tropics Management Authority Board, the Community Consultative Committee (CCC) provides advice to the Board on the views of the community on WTMA’s policies and programs in relation to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area).
The CCC is made up of individuals who have relevant sector or community networks. Members bring diverse perspectives and cross‑sectoral discussion to complex challenges impacting the Area, providing advice on community aspirations and interests in contemporary World Heritage management.
The CCC is a statutory advisory committee and meets at least three times a year, typically before Board meetings, either in Cairns or online. Members serve a three-year term on a voluntary basis.
2026─2029 Community Consultative Committee
Dr Sally Driml—Chair
Sally is a Wet Tropics Management Authority Board Director with expertise in policy and economics applied to environmental management, eco-tourism, and protected areas. An honorary senior lecturer and researcher at the University of Queensland, she has over 30 years of experience addressing climate change, protected area management, and tourism in the Wet Tropics and other key regions in Queensland and Australia. Sally has strong industry connections and adopts a proactive, collaborative approach to her work.
Ron Baldwin
Ron has lived in Cairns for over 45 years and is a Director of the Rainforest Conservation Foundation, dedicated to preserving the Wet Tropics’ natural values. With extensive experience in conservation, reforestation, and serving on various boards and committees, he has built trusted partnerships across the community. As an experienced project director, Ron takes a pragmatic and purposeful approach, offering honest input and contributing to tangible outcomes for the Wet Tropics region.
Sophie Barrett
Sophie is the Coordinator Sustainability and Climate Change at Cairns Regional Council and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at James Cook University. With over 30 years of expertise in local government, sustainability, urban planning and research, she specialises in climate resilience, nature-based adaptation, and community engagement. Sophie has led key initiatives such as Cairns’ Climate Change Strategy and Coastal Hazard Adaptation Strategy. Passionate about protecting the Wet Tropics, she brings expertise in policy development, collaboration, communication, environmental leadership and partnering with Traditional Owners to help care for Country.
Ingrid Marker
Ingrid has been a dedicated environmental advocate in the Wet Tropics for 35 years, specialising in conservation reforms. Based on the Cassowary Coast, she has documented cassowary behaviour, domestic dog impacts, and coexistence with rainforest dingoes. Ingrid founded Cassowary Keystone Conservation, successfully lobbying for changes to the Animal Management Act (Cats and Dogs) 2008, and in 2017, established Guardians of the Wet Tropics to support private landowners near protected areas. A long-term contributor to the WildNet platform via QWildlife, Ingrid champions citizen science to inform environmental management. Her efforts earned her the Peter Hitchcock Community Champion Cassowary Award in 2024.
Bronwyn Opie
Bronwyn is the Director of the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC), where she has worked since 2021. With a background in sustainability and environmental policy from James Cook University and Grifith University, she focuses on conservation and climate resilience in Far North Queensland. Bronwyn brings experience in advocacy and community engagement, emphasising environmental and climate justice through community-led action and cross-sector collaboration to protect the region’s unique ecosystems.
Abigail Ralph Cummings
Originally from the UK, Abi has lived north of the Daintree River since 1996 and has over 35 years of experience in the tourism industry. She has worked at the Daintree Discovery Centre for more than 15 years, serving as Centre Manager since 2016. Abi is Treasurer of the Daintree Marketing Co-operative Board and a Director on the Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Board, representing the region since 2018. Abi is passionate about nature, sustainability, and eco-tourism, bringing extensive industry experience, local knowledge, and a strong commitment to protecting and promoting the Daintree region.
Annette Ryan
Annette, a Queensland educator with 40 years of experience, retired in 2024 as Teacher-Librarian and Gifted Education Program Coordinator at Whitfield State School (WSS). She continues supporting the Gifted Global Green (GGG) program, helping students and teachers deliver sustainability projects. Annette received the 2024 Education Research Innovation Award at the 20th Cassowary Awards for her GGG contributions. Her achievements including implementing a STEM program for high-performing First Nations students, running WSS’s Philosophy Café on environmental ethics, and transforming a rainforest plot into Naturopolis, an outdoor learning area fostering nature connection and student wellbeing.
Maree Treadwell
Maree is an ecologist and wildlife communicator focused on the conservation and recovery of the endangered spectacled flying-fox. She has worked in conservation and wildlife community engagement for over 30 years, co-convenes the Australasian Bat Society’s Flying-fox Expert Group and coordinates its Australasian Bat Night program. She is vice-chair of Wildlife Tourism Australia, a committee member of Interpretation Australia, and is passionate about the role that nature tourism and interpretation can play in conservation of wildlife. Since 2014, she has lived in Kuranda, volunteers with the Kuranda Visitor Information Centre, is a Board Director of Mareeba Tourism, founding president of Bats and Trees Society of Cairns, and coordinates the Spectacled Flying-fox Recovery Team.
Other committees
Last updated: 13 Oct 2026