A prosperous future for Cape York

Mangrove Seedling, Cape York Peninsula Photographer: Kerry Trapnell

As the Australian environment and community suffers from the increasing effects of climate change and drought, one amazing part of Australia is still lush, abundant and surviving. Its future hangs in the balance.

Cape York Peninsula is one of the last great wild places on Earth. Its long term protection is a matter of global importance and its natural environment is comparable to the Amazon, the Congo and the Serengeti.

A World Heritage nomination for Cape York Peninsula will help shape a healthy and prosperous future by integrating the needs of communities with the needs of nature, creating real jobs and a sustainable futures, while conserving the superlative natural and cultural values of the region.

The Queensland and Commonwealth Governments have agreed to work together to identify and protect World Heritage values on Cape York, but much more work is required to make this a reality.

Working together to protect Cape York's heritage

The Australian and Queensland Governments must work closely with Traditional Owners and key stakeholders to design a nomination that can recognise and manage the values of the region.  This approach must be responsive to the economic needs of local communities.  The Wilderness Society and other advocates for World Heritage recognition in Cape York, including the State and Commonwealth Governments, must find a way to work together with the Indigenous Traditional Owners to ensure their participation and consent and to build the case for a nomination. 

Any World Heritage nomination for Cape York Peninsula will ultimately require the endorsement of the World Conservation Congress (IUCN), so we must work to build international support as well.

The Wilderness Society last week released a major new protection and funding discussion paper urging all parties to work together.  This includes a “Cape York Heritage Protection Plan” and “Cape York Heritage Protection Fund” of $164 million, to be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments.

• Download Protecting Cape York's Heritage Values Summary (PDF 684KB)
  

The discussion paper was released in support of a proposed motion at the general assembly of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Spain last week, titled “Protecting the World Heritage Values of Cape York Peninsula, Australia”.

• Download IUCN Resolution (PDF 96KB)

The path forward

The new discussion paper Protecting the Heritage Values of Cape York Peninsula proposes a number of ways in which all parties can work together to tackle and resolve land justice, conservation, economic development and other long-standing issues.

It considers the need for a comprehensive approach to protecting the natural and cultural values of Cape York Peninsula while promoting social and economic development that is compatible with the maintenance of these globally significant values.  Taking this approach will meet immediate material needs whilst providing sustainable employment opportunities for the long run.  

The majority of funding for this proposal would come from existing Government programs and open opportunities for private and not-for-profit investment.

The long term protection of the heritage values of Cape York will require leadership and coordination from both levels of Government, along with genuine partnerships between traditional owners, other landholders, environment groups and industry. Together we can ensure a prosperous and more sustainable future for Cape York Peninsula.

• Learn more about what makes the Cape York Peninsula so special