Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 10
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Under the World Heritage Convention, the Commonwealth has agreed to identify, protect, conserve and present World Heritage properties in Australia (see Box 10.1).
The Commonwealth has provided a total of more than $15 million in 1998-1999 for
the management of Australia's World Heritage properties. These funds have been directed at
implementing on-ground management actions in accordance with agreed plans for management.
This level of funding will continue to 2000-2001.
The Government places considerable importance on the cooperative development and
implementation of plans for the management of all World Heritage properties. This was
further progressed during the 1998-99 financial year with the implementation of strategic
planning processes for three properties: Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia);
Lord Howe Island Group; and Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte).
| Box 10.1: World Heritage Properties World Heritage properties are areas of outstanding universal cultural or natural significance which are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Australia is a member of the World Heritage Committee, which inscribes properties on the World Heritage List. At present, there are 13 Australian properties on the World Heritage list. The Commonwealth is directly responsible for management of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks (see Chapter 4) and Heard Island and McDonald Islands. The Commonwealth works jointly with Queensland on the management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage property (see Chapter 9), and works with the States to ensure sound management of the other nine properties which are the Lord Howe Island Group, Tasmanian Wilderness, Willandra Lakes Region, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia), Wet Tropics of Queensland, Shark Bay, Fraser Island, Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Naracoorte/Riversleigh), and Macquarie Island. |
As an element of best practice management arrangements, the Commonwealth has initiated
the development of a comprehensive monitoring strategy for all World Heritage properties.
In the 1997-98 financial year, funding for the Willandra Lakes Region Financial Package
was successfully completed. The Commonwealth is undertaking an evaluation of the Financial
Package to assess its effectiveness in achieving its objectives. These include creating a
basis for effective on-going cooperative management of the region's World Heritage values
which meets the interests of landholders and Aboriginal groups traditionally affiliated
with the area.
Following a joint assessment process with New South Wales, the Commonwealth nominated, in June 1998, the Greater Blue Mountains Area for inclusion on the World Heritage List.
Contact: Environment Australia, Australian & World Heritage Group -- 02 6274 2035
