Heritage Act a boost for Cape York Peninsula

	Fruit Bat Falls, North East Cape York - Kerry Trapnell

On 17 October 2007, the Queensland Parliament passed a new law that provides the framework for protecting Cape York’s irreplaceable wild rivers and its World Heritage values.

The passing of this Act is a major breakthrough in the campaign to secure the protection of Cape York Peninsula – one of the last great wild places on earth.

The Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 received support from both the Queensland Government and its opposition. In fact, 88 of the 89 members of Queensland parliament voted in favour of this initiative.

The Act strikes a balance between protecting the Cape's environment and providing a range of sustainable development opportunities. The plan was developed after consultation with Indigenous leaders, environmentalists, pastoralists and the mining industry.

Cape York, like the Congo and the Amazon, deserves the best protection we can provide.

The Wilderness Society congratulates Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and calls on the Federal Labor and Liberal parties to release polices in support of this initiative in the leadup to the Federal Election on Saturday 24 November 2007.