Cape York Regions Nominated for World Heritage Tentative List
An Australian site may soon be considered for World Heritage status as a campaign has been launched for parts of Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula.
Areas of the cape in the far north have been nominated for the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list, a significant step confirmed by Queensland Premier Steven Miles. He described this nomination as monumental.
Joined by federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in Cairns on June 20, Mr. Miles stated that the nominations were based on the environmental and cultural values of the regions after collaborating with traditional owners.
“This is monumental. It is the first step towards Queensland’s incredible Cape York Peninsula being formally recognized on the World Heritage list,” said the premier.
He added, “I want iconic places like the cape to be protected for future generations to love and look after.”
The Cape York Peninsula region is home to almost 20 percent of Australian plant species and over 300 threatened species, including the green sawfish, the Cape York rock wallaby, and the southern cassowary.
Related Stories
The region also boasts a rich Indigenous culture, including rock art paintings that depict the traditional owners’ connection to the land.
Describing Cape York as a special place with natural beauty and deep cultural history, Ms. Plibersek expressed her desire for it to be added to the World Heritage list alongside other precious places like the Great Barrier Reef.
“Tourists are attracted to World Heritage areas, so this listing has fantastic economic potential for Queensland as well,” she added.
Australia currently has 20 World Heritage-listed areas, including five in Queensland.
The next step for the Cape York Peninsula is World Heritage list nomination, a process that can take up to five years.
The federal and state governments have committed to working through the World Heritage process with traditional owner groups and the Cape York community.
“I believe World Heritage status will be beneficial as it gives us the opportunity to care for the land as needed, indefinitely,” said Southern Kaantju elder Allan Creek.
The state government has nominated the “Cultural Landscapes of Cape York Peninsula” for the World Heritage tentative list, outlining several areas, including national parks and cultural locations.
Mr. Miles mentioned that the nomination had been in progress for a decade.
Other Queensland sites already on the World Heritage list include the Great Barrier Reef, K’gari (Fraser Island), and the Wet Tropics in the state’s northeast.
