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Outreach tour builds on common ground with Cape York Peninsula community - 17/07/07
The Wilderness Society (TWS) is upbeat about future conservation efforts on Cape York Peninsula after completing a three week tour of the region. Three representatives from TWS visited the area meeting with Traditional Owners, Community Council representatives, pastoralists, tourism operators, Land and Sea Management Coordinators, and other landholders.
“The outreach tour was very productive. There is clearly a lot of common ground between The Wilderness Society and the people that we met with” said Glenn Walker, Wild Rivers Campaigner.
Our discussions focussed around the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Bill 2007, Wild Rivers, World Heritage, Indigenous Protected Areas, and about developing a conservation economy.
“As with our previous trips we found overwhelmingly that people want to care for their rivers and land and want to avoid the land management mistakes that have devastated parts of southern Australia. They want resources and employment opportunities to care for country, and better support for sustainable businesses, including eco and cultural tourism ventures” said Mr Walker.
“The Wilderness Society is working for the protection of special places, resources and support for good land management and an ecologically sustainable economic future for the region – goals shared by many of the people we spoke with.
“The new Cape York Peninsula Heritage Bill provides a way forward for better land management and conservation initiatives in the region, including World Heritage and Wild Rivers. We look forward to continuing to work with Cape York people on this important agreement“, Mr Walker concluded.
Media Enquiries: Glenn Walker
Wild
Rivers Campaigner
The
Wilderness Society (Queensland) Inc
(07)
3846 1420