Cape York for World Heritage

• Why Cape York Peninsula is special • What the experts say about Cape York • Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 • World Heritage and Cape York • The Wilderness Society's campaign successes • The Wilderness Society's vision for Cape York Peninsula

Cape York Peninsula is one of the last great wild places on earth. It covers 137,000 square kilometres in Far North Queensland and has been identified as one of 37 remaining vast wilderness areas on the planet. It is diverse and unique.

In 2003, Conservation International (CI) released the most recent inventory of remaining wilderness areas on earth. This research project identified 37 major wilderness areas on the planet. The wilderness value of Cape York was underlined by the recognition that of the 37 identified global wilderness areas, only Antarctica and Arnhem Land had lower population densities. Coastal Heathlands, Temple Bay. Photo: Ian Brown

Animals such as the cuscus, crocodile and palm cockatoo inhabit this tropical paradise. Landscapes merge seamlessly into one another including rainforests, heathlands, sand dunes, wild rivers, endless savannah and pristine coastlines.

On a damaged planet it is remarkable that the inter-connecting ecosystems of this vast Peninsula are healthy from coast to coast.

Under threat

But Cape York is under threat like never before. Calls to develop northern Australia are rife. The Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce is a Federal government initiative to explore opportunities for damming the rivers of the north and clearing its land for agricultural production.

The push for farming development in northern Australia threatens to destroy this unique environment and repeat the mistakes of southern Australia.  Furthermore, the resources boom has meant that many previously un-economic mining sites are now under investigation across Cape York and beyond.

The Wilderness Society is campaigning to ensure Cape York Peninsula is protected for generations to come. Our efforts are aimed at delivering world class conservation protection, the recognition of Aboriginal rights and interests and the development of a conservation economy.

About 18,000 people live on Cape York, half of whom are indigenous. Conservation planning must ensure that economic opportunities are delivered to these disadvantaged communities.

The Wilderness Society believes that a positive future can be built for Cape York relying on its outstanding natural advantages: its amazing cultural and natural values. Land management, tourism and other compatible industries can flourish on Cape York.

World Heritage listing for Cape York is the ultimate aim of our campaign, the Wilderness Society believes it can form the backbone of an exciting future for Cape York.