|
|
Peninsular paper to
push for recognition
Cape York Peninsula could be granted World Heritage listing if a recenly released discussion paper gathers enough community support.
Minister for Environment, Vicky Darling said this was the first opportunity for broad community feedback on significant international recognition for Cape York.
Ms Darling said any World Heritage nomination would only proceed with community support and with the consent of Traditional Owners and property owners for their lands to be included.
“Cape York Peninsula is one of the most outstanding regions in the world,” Ms Darling said.
| People get say on Cape future |
“The Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, Uluru, the Wet Tropics and Kakadu are all world famous places in Australia.
“I firmly believe Cape York should join them but I want to know what the broader community think.”
She said the discussion paper followed three years of targeted consultation in Cape York as well as an intense work program of research and investigation of the region’s natural and cultural values.
“We want to seek broader community feedback on which areas should be nominated to better protect and manage the area’s exceptional beauty and biodiversity,” she said.
“We want to ensure this spectacular region is maintained for generations to come and that the region’s people can continue their traditional ways of life.
“It’s also about giving recognition to one of the oldest living cultures in the world and recognising the area’s wartime, grazing and trade history.”
Ms Darling said only areas that had ‘outstanding universal value’ could be nominated for a World Heritage listing.
“I think we all agree that Cape York is an area of exceptional cultural and natural heritage,” she said.
“A listing would mean areas were managed and protected for current and future generations – but would also allow a range of industries and activities to still occur as long as they are sustainably managed.
“Having this type of international recognition can help increase economic opportunities such as tourism and sustainable land management.”
She said Cape York Peninsula covered almost 15 million hectares and was home to 19,000 people in a range of agricultural, mining, tourism and cultural industries.
The discussion paper and other information can be accessed at this PS News link.
Edition 201, 26 January 2012
|
|
