Beattie’s Cape York legislation will protect World Heritage values and strengthen communities - 07/06/07

The legislation reflects agreements reached by the Government with representatives of the Cape York Land Council and Balkanu, The Wilderness Society and Australian Conservation Foundation, and Agforce, on a conservation and land use framework for the region.

Other important initiatives in Premier Beattie’s announcement, which The Wilderness Society commends, include:

• formal recognition of Native Title in the Wild Rivers Act; and,

• an Indigenous economic and employment package, including confirmation of Indigenous ranger positions and support for Indigenous arts, culture and tourism enterprises.

Anthony Esposito, National Indigenous Program Manager for The Wilderness Society said, “Achieving agreement on conservation and ecologically sustainable land use on Cape York has long been the objective of The Wilderness Society. Today’s announcement is a breakthrough that provides a new cooperative framework for the current and future needs of the region”.

The agreement opens the way for the identification and declaration of an area of international conservation significance providing a solid foundation for a World Heritage nomination. Other conservation initiatives for the region, such as wild river nominations and new joint managed protected areas, will also progress as a result of this agreement.

Lyndon Schneiders, Northern Australia Campaign Manager said “This initiative provides the opportunity to formally protect the outstanding conservation values of Cape York. However final protection of the wild river and World Heritage values will require goodwill and hard work over the next few years.”
 
“Development and conservation can and should go hand in hand in Cape York. World Heritage, wild rivers, better land management and the economic prospects coming from these initiatives should significantly enhance employment opportunities for Cape York people,” said Anthony Esposito.

“The Queensland Government’s significant package of measures for Cape York must now be matched with Federal Government support for future World Heritage listing and increased resources for management and conservation of Aboriginal land” concluded Mr Schneiders.