... an e-newsletter, sharing ideas about ’s internationally significant places.

Fourth edition May 2015

Welcome to the fourth edition of World Heritage Connect, a newsletter produced by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP). Thanks to all contributors for sharing their stories. Our next deadline for submitting articles is the end of July 2015. World Heritage Team, EHP, Queensland [email protected]

THIS ISSUE Port Arthur Historic Site—penitentiary precinct conservation project PORT ARTHUR HISTORIC SITE—PENITENTIARY PRECINCT The penitentiary structure at the Port Arthur Historic Site in is arguably CONSERVATION PROJECT Australia’s most significant and recognisable convict ruin. The building has recently been subject to a $7m stabilisation project that saw it closed for most of 2014. The A SPECIAL DAY FOR FRASER stabilisation is part of a larger Penitentiary Precinct Conservation Project, which will ISLAND WORLD HERITAGE AREA see the installation of interpretative elements in and around the penitentiary structure. Port Arthur is one of the 11 sites included in the Australian Convict Sites World WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE THE Heritage property, which was added to the World Heritage List in July 2010. The MALA (RUFOUS-HARE WALLABY) 11 sites are: in Tasmania—the Port Arthur Historic Site, , Cascades Historic Site, Darlington, and Brickendon-Woolmers RESCUE MISSION FOR KAKADU’S Estates; in —Hyde Park Barracks, the Great North Road, Old THREATENED SPECIES Government House and Cockatoo Island; on —the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Heritage Area; and in — Prison. THE GATHERING IN THE GULLY— CONSERVING NATURE AND CULTURE The Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority (PAHSMA) has responsibility IN THE GREATER BLUE MOUNTAINS for three of the Tasmanian sites—the coal mines and as WORLD HERITAGE AREA well as Port Arthur. As with all heritage sites, there can be challenges—but we found ourselves somewhat stunned when our engineering consultants advised us AUSTRALIAN FOSSIL MAMMAL SITES in 2013 that the majority of the penitentiary structure was less than 30% compliant WORLD HERITAGE AREA TURNS 20 for Australian standards for certain loadings, and less than 10% in some places. In short, we had a flagship structure, albeit a ‘ruin’, in danger of collapse. MAPPING WET TROPICS IN 3D

WORLD HERITAGE AT THE IUCN WORLD PARKS CONGRESS

Inside of structure post-works showing columns and reimposed cell layout Image courtesy of PAHSMA

Great state. Great opportunity. Background Following the endeavours of previous management bodies, PAHSMA has consistently undertaken maintenance of the penitentiary structure, and completed a number of larger conservation initiatives and investigations within the penitentiary precinct. One of our primary work objectives since 2010 was monitoring the internal structural bracing system, which provided both mechanical support and multi-level pedestrian access through the building. At 30 years old it had reached the end of its effective life. In addition to this, in July 2011 Port Arthur experienced a one-in-40-year weather event resulting in three metre waves breaking over the front seawall and total inundation of penitentiary footings. In 2011–12 PAHSMA initiated a major conservation project, the Penitentiary Precinct Conservation Project, to resolve a number of structural investigations and upgrade visitor experience to give the precinct the presentation it deserves as one of the most recognisable convict structures in Australia with significant cultural values. However, it was the engineering assessments during the first stage of work which indicated the ruin was below accepted loading standards, making the project an urgent priority. Following consultation with PAHSMA and the local community, a vision for the precinct was created along with structural mitigation options. Significant consultation with government, visitors, tourism operators, media and the community was also required as construction work meant the penitentiary would be closed to the public for more than 10 months.

The Penitentiary structure after completion of the stabilisation works Image courtesy of PAHSMA Stabilisation The first stage of the project, the stabilisation work, was undertaken by HPA Consultants, a -based consultancy which also took on the role of Project Superintendent. HPA introduced a highly qualified and experienced team, which included Storm event 2011 structural and heritage engineers from Image courtesy of PAHSMA Mott MacDonald and Hyder. For the first time since its establishment The research excavations clearly Funding in 1987, PAHSMA was faced with established the location of the mill relinquishing management of a major house and water-wheel pit, and ancillary The project is by far the most extensive conservation project to an outside infrastructure such as drainage. They and expensive in PAHSMA history. A body and it was with some trepidation also showed the structural adjustments price-tag in the vicinity of $7m, the we handed the whole building site that were imposed to convert a purpose- urgency of the work, the consequences over to the successful contractor, built industrial building to allow for a of no action, and the World Heritage Hansen Yuncken. However, our fears totally disconnected use for the prison. status of the Port Arthur Historic Site were groundless and working with This stage of the work also provided as one of the components of the the team of skilled sub-contractors, essential information on sub-surface Australian Convict Sites all reinforced we soon realised that it is not only conditions, which was used to shape that PAHSMA would require financial heritage professionals who care about the design outcomes and contribute to support. The Tasmanian Government conservation and the protection of risk-reduction responses. subsequently contributed $3m and the heritage values and significant fabric. Using architectural features we have Australian Government close to $2m. The stabilisation solution relied on the also been able to reimpose a sense of PAHSMA is extremely grateful for this installation of a series of steel columns how people moved and were controlled response and the recognition of the connected to sub-surface concrete in the building. This has included the valuable outcomes of the provision of footings. It also involved the installation reinstallation of internal ground-floor this funding. The remainder of the costs of helibar (a twisted metal rod that is corridors and the recreation of the front have been met directly by PAHSMA. reminiscent of fusilli pasta)—a total of muster-yard area—an incursion into a Although visitors could access the fivekms of various lengths throughout surrounding landscape that is otherwise building by 19 December 2014, the the walls of the structure, together with a swathe of green lawn. Perhaps one of Penitentiary structure was formally re- a 50mm-thick stainless steel top-plate the most extraordinary legacies of the opened on 21 January 2015 by the Hon. installed under the capping stones. project has been aesthetic, with the Greg Hunt, Minister for the Environment, The final and perhaps most structurally inside of the structure stripped of its and the Hon. Will Hodgman, Premier of delicate stage of the works involved earlier bracing structure and elevated Tasmania. PAHSMA is confident that the precision drilling, both vertically and walkways to allow for uninhibited views end result is one that is world-class and horizontally, to allow for the insertion of down the length of the structure and an internationally cutting-edge in terms of grout-injected socks and metal anchors. enhanced appreciation of the ground- research, response methodologies and The deepest drill hole was in the vicinity floor cell layout and design. conservation outcomes and we look of 11m. The remaining component of the forward to opportunities to share both The outcomes of the project however, project, for which planning is currently the journey and the end results with have been more than a suite of underway, will include the conservation colleagues and visitors. engineering applications. Prior to the work associated with interpretation Jane Harrington stabilisation work, PAHSMA undertook and additional external landscaping Director Conservation & Infrastructure a substantial archaeological research to reintroduce the industrial aspects Port Arthur Historic Site Management program that provided data and that were once a crucial element of the Authority evidence of the full history of the penitentiary precinct. The latter will be a precinct—from its earliest workshops to further manifestation of our engagement the partial collapse of the penitentiary with the surrounding lawn to reintroduce in the great bush fire of 1895. One of our some sense of the activity, noise, bustle challenges, has been interpreting the and toil that characterised this area. It is pre-penitentiary life of the structure as a proposed that this work will be staged flour-mill and granary. over a number of years. A special day for World Heritage area

On 24 October 2014 a special sitting The Honourable Justice Collier handed Guests at this special day had much to of the Federal Court of Australia was down her judgment determining that understand and even more to absorb. held ‘on country’ to award Native Title native title exists and that the Butchulla Like much that is special, it was also a to the Butchulla People over K’Gari People hold in common, native title bittersweet day. The Butchulla People’s (Fraser Island). This was a special rights and interests over land and knowledge, feeling of connection and day indeed, and saw a gathering of waters on K’Gari (Fraser Island). Justice belonging to K’Gari was already known, Butchulla People greater than any seen Collier summarised the legal procedures had always been known to them and in more than a century. and explained the major points of law had never been questioned and never whilst also conveying the gravity and forgotten. However, this decision This day was a long time coming and its importance of the decision. (acknowledgement of connection and of beginnings go back over 18 years. belonging) was now enshrined in law, The culmination of the legal proceedings The consent determination endorsed could no longer be lost or ignored, and led to an outpouring of jubilation and by the Federal Court in October 2014 best of all, it could now be shared. some relief, followed by a welcome and concluded two years of negotiations smoking ceremony by traditional owners. While some may have lamented a with the relevant respondents, which The location and lunch was hosted by seemingly small step, many more included the State of Queensland, the King Fisher Bay Resort Village. The have been heartened by this day as Fraser Coast Regional Council, Telstra clearing adjacent to the beach and a meaningful beginning and a new Corporation Limited, and King Fisher Bay overlooking the magnificent Korrawinga opportunity for K’Gari and its people. Resort Village. (Sandy Straits) was soon overflowing Andy Quirk with colour, movement and energy of Fraser Island Executive Officer Butchulla People of all ages participating World Heritage Management in many traditional dances. Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie) one of perched freshwater lakes that exemplify the Outstanding Universal Value of K’Gari (Fraser Island World Heritage Area) Image courtesy of Paul Candlin and the Department of Environment Working together to save the mala (rufous-hare wallaby)

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is home to Follow up monitoring by rangers, looking one of the largest remaining populations at rabbit scats, tracks and using remote of mala (rufous-hare wallaby) on earth. cameras, has seen fantastic results. There has been more than a 90% Native to the desert country of central decrease in rabbit signs. As a bonus, Australia, this small wallaby is now all rangers have had to use substantially but extinct in the wild. World Heritage less ‘top-up’ food in mala feeding listed Uluru is home to one of the largest sessions—clearly they are now getting remaining populations with more than more to eat naturally now that the 200 animals. rabbits have gone. To keep these animals safe from While the blitz has not led to total rabbit predators, such as foxes and cats, in eradication in paddock, its success lies 2005 the park fenced off a 170 hectare in the clever use of resources, including paddock. Its success has been obvious, volunteers’ time and energy, to improve with numbers quickly multiplying from the mala’s chances. In recognition the 30 mala that were originally placed of this, Australia’s Department of in the paddock. Environment awarded an innovation Unfortunately there is one feral animal prize to two of the park’s rangers. that continues to pose a threat— Rangers will continue the good work this rabbits. Competing with mala for food, year, targeting any rabbit burrows that rabbits also quickly outbreed the mala, have been reopened or redug. A new ensuring they become a dominant type of feeding station is being trialled, species in the environment. one that suits rabbits and not mala, in a Despite the park’s many efforts to keep bid to bait any remaining rabbits. rabbit numbers down in the mala paddock Parks Australia over the years, they kept coming back. www.parksaustralia.gov.au Late last year, in an attempt to eradicate the rabbits once and for all, Uluru’s rangers introduced a new concept—a volunteer team of environment workers from around the country, to come in and ‘blitz’ the problem. Over two weeks, rangers and volunteers mapped and fumigated every rabbit warren in the paddock, dispensed carrots laced with calicivirus (harmless to the mala, but deadly to rabbits) and constructed reinforced fencing designed as an extra protection from reinvasion by the rabbits from the outside.

Mala (rufous-hare wallaby) Image courtesy of Parks Australia Rescue mission for Kakadu’s threatened species

The Australian Government is ramping up Four projects are gearing up, which will There’s no doubt tackling the decline is action to bring threatened species back tackle some of the most urgent tasks: a big job, and it will take many years of from the brink of extinction in Australia’s • Intensive work to target threats sustained effort to see results. However, largest national park, Kakadu. from fire, weeds and feral animals armed with comprehensive data, an action plan and a feeling of renewed It’s been a tough decade or two for in crucial habitat, extending from hope, Kakadu is well on its way. Kakadu’s rare plants and animals. Kakadu’s Stone Country to the Across much of northern Australia lowland woodlands. Parks Australia threatened species populations have • Creating a wildlife refuge on www.parksaustralia.gov.au seen sharp declines, and World Heritage Gardangarl (Field Island) for species listed Kakadu is no exception. Over struggling on the mainland including recent years, Kakadu has partnered with small mammals and goannas. many of Australia’s top scientists to find • Expanding the ‘toad smart’ quolls out what is driving the problem. project, building on the highly Last year, the research converged to successful research conducted in provide a clear picture of the causes, Kakadu since 2010. with feral cats and too-frequent fires • Seedbanking and propagating named as the most likely culprits. threatened plant species, many of which occur nowhere else in the In Kakadu, teams of people are rolling world. up their sleeves and turning these findings into action. Top scientist John The work will be done by rangers, Woinarski has developed a threatened Kakadu’s Aboriginal owners and species strategy for the park with researchers from across the country. The actions that aim to halt the decline of strategy runs for a decade, with the on- these at-risk plants and animals, and ground action beginning this year. the Australian Government is providing an extra $750,000 into Kakadu to kick start the work.

Ubirr at sunset Baby northern quoll Image courtesy of Parks Australia Image courtesy of Parks Australia The Gathering in The Gully—conserving nature and culture in the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area

In the lead up to the World Parks Congress in November 2014, more than 300 Locally the NSW National Parks and Indigenous people from five continents and 43 countries gathered in the Blue Wildlife Service, Blue Mountains Mountains to share knowledge about conserving nature and culture. The Gathering City Council, The Gully Traditional was held in The Gully, Katoomba, a declared Aboriginal Place managed by the Blue Owners and volunteers sponsored and Mountains City Council and The Gully Traditional Owners. The Gully is in the heart of supported the event, including field the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. trips, cultural experiences and logistics. Local film makers also volunteered and The Gathering provided an opportunity for a range of groups to network separately provided recordings of the event, which before the Congress, including: the Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network, we hope to have available online soon. the New South Wales (NSW) Aboriginal Joint Management Custodians, and the International Consortium of Community Conserved Areas (ICCA). It was an honour and a unique experience to support this exchange. The Gathering began with a warm Welcome to Country from the Gundungurra and It was wonderful to see Indigenous Darug peoples, and included field trips across the Blue Mountains, exchanges with and Aboriginal people from so many local Aboriginal Peoples, dance performances and a series of dialogue sessions. different countries deep in conversation The dialogue sessions were a great opportunity to exchange knowledge on key about protecting their country and issues affecting Indigenous communities around the world. A statement from the cultures. participants was taken to World Parks Congress as part of the preparatory work for Heritage Section Stream 6 (governance). NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Many of the key points and recommendations made in the statement are now Office of Environment and Heritage reflected in the outcomes of the World Parks Congress—see Stream 6 and 7. The event was supported by many groups around the world. Key sponsors included the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Kimberley Land Council, CSIRO, the ICCA and the World Indigenous Network.

Jacqueline Reid, Executive Officer; Dr. Mohammed Taghi Farvar, President ICCA Consortium; Emma Lee, Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network; Aunty Sharyn Halls, Gundungurra Elder—overlooking the Three Sisters Aboriginal Place, Katoomba, NSW Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage area turns 20

Two decades ago the Outstanding Universal Value of the Riversleigh and Naracoorte fossil deposits was recognised in a serial World Heritage listing. The Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh/Naracoorte) celebrated its 20th anniversary on 17 December 2014. Separated by over 2000 kilometres, the two sites, Riversleigh (Queensland) and Naracoorte (South Australia) celebrated the anniversary in their own way. Riversleigh science behind the World Heritage listing • British, Canadian, American process for Riversleigh. Henk explained and Argentinian students have At the Riversleigh Community and that Riversleigh was first placed on the undertaken PhDs at Riversleigh. Scientific Advisory Committee meeting in National Heritage List, was then declared • David Attenborough’s first episode November, Henk Godthelp provided an a National Park and was inscribed on the of ‘Life of Mammals’ focussed on overview of Riversleigh’s World Heritage World Heritage List in 1994. The seminar Riversleigh. was well attended by university staff inscription and achievements. Henk • Four documentaries made on the and students, staff from the Queensland played a large role in the paleontological Riversleigh fossil fields. team which initially unearthed the Museum and EHP. significance of the remote Riversleigh • Fifteen conferences have focussed In addition to the contribution made to just on Riversleigh. fossil fields and were instrumental in our understanding of the evolution of its subsequent World Heritage listing. mammals, Riversleigh achievements Riversleigh’s credentials as a world class Henk has also been a member of the include: fossil deposit are well established and Advisory Committee since its inception. research continues to expand on the • More than 50 PhD students have In December 2014, the Department of remarkable diversity of animals and plants either fully or partially based their Environment and Heritage Protection fossilised in the limestone of the region. research on Riversleigh. (EHP) hosted a seminar in Brisbane Advances in radiometric dating and new where Henk’s audience came to • Sixty honours students have worked high resolution imaging techniques are appreciate the history, the controversy, on Riversleigh. enabling scientists to ask and answer the politics, and significantly, the more sophisticated questions.

Riversleigh Scientific and Community Advisory Committee celebrate Australian Fossil Mammal Sites 20th Anniversary at their Townsville meeting Naracoorte Celebrations of the 20th World Heritage anniversary for the Naracoorte Caves focused on the local community as long-term supporters of the World Heritage site. On 21 November 2014 the Naracoorte Lucindale Council coordinated a day of activities in the Naracoorte Town Square and Town Hall for school children and families. Palaeontologists, cavers, artists and associates of the Naracoorte Caves hosted hands-on activities for children ranging from crafting megafauna sculptures and fossil sorting to engaging talks about how to become a palaeontologist and the thrills of exploring caves in search of fossils. Entertainment was provided by Professor Flint, a singing and dancing palaeontologist, with songs Staff and friends of Naracoorte Caves with the that celebrate and raise awareness 20th Anniversary Float for the town Christmas Parade 2014 of Australian’s unique fossil faunas, including animals found at Riversleigh and Naracoorte. The day’s activities concluded with a The week of anniversary celebrations Jean Balson panel discussion hosted by Professor concluded with a float in the Naracoorte Australian Fossil Mammal Sites— Flint. The panel comprised respected Christmas Parade which featured a Riversleigh Executive Officer and well-known associates of the model of Procopton and Thylacoleo, World Heritage Management Naracoorte Caves: Professor Rod Wells, and staff wearing hand-crafted Queensland Department of Environment A/Professor Gavin Prideaux, Dr Liz Reed, masks of Australian animals. It was a & Heritage Protection Dr Grant Gartrell and Site Manager wonderful opportunity to celebrate the Dr Amy Macken Deborah Craven-Carden. anniversary, emphasising the important World Heritage Executive Officer place of the Naracoorte Caves within The celebrations continued with an Australian Fossil Mammal Sites— the broader Naracoorte community as a anniversary party at the Naracoorte Naracoorte site of education, recreation, reflection, Caves on 26 November to acknowledge South Australia Department of tourism and science. the contribution and support of the local Environment, Water and Natural community and long-term associates Any anniversary prompts a reflection on Resources of the Naracoorte Caves. Invited guests where we have come from and where we included former and current staff of the are heading. The recent appointment of Naracoorte Caves and South Australian an Executive Officer at the Naracoorte Department of Environment, Water and Caves and increased partnership with Natural Resources, current and former Riversleigh over the last 12 months research associates including PhD and highlights a renewed invigoration for Honours students, contractors, the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites. At Friends of Naracoorte Caves group and Naracoorte Caves this is reflected in other community members. The Caves the establishment of an Interagency- Café provided fresh and tasty tapas and Community Reference Group and Mount Gambier band Squizzy and the progress towards ensuring that the Outlaws entertained with their jazz and World Heritage principles are integrated rockabilly sounds. A giant cake featuring into the strategic planning and daily an image of Thylacoleo was jointly cut operations of the site. by Mayor Erika Vickery and Director, National Parks John Schutz. Mapping Wet Tropics in 3D

A unique participatory method of The process is being facilitated by the In November 2014 at the World Parks mapping Aboriginal knowledge is Authority using participatory methods, Congress, a live demonstration of being adopted in the Wet Tropics however Mandingalbay Yidinji people Mandingalbay Yidinji’s P3DM process World Heritage Area through a decide what knowledge to map, how to captured the attention of hundreds partnership between the Wet Tropics display it, and who has access. “Doing of delegates, including Congress Management Authority (the Authority) this P3DM exercise has given the control Champion, Mr Luvuyo Mandela. The and Mandingalbay Yidinji people. The back to us as traditional owners. Our concept for the World Parks Congress project which was funded under the country is now recorded by us and in demonstration was the result of International Union for Conservation a way that will help us to educate our collaboration between the Technical of Nature (IUCN), Global Environment young ones about their culture” said Centre for Agricultural and Rural Facility: Inspiring Protected Area Traditional Owner Dale Mundraby. Cooperation (Netherlands), the IUCN, Solutions (GEF – IPAS) program, aims the United Nations Development The P3DM exercise also aligns with to empower Traditional Owners as sole Programme (UNDP) Equator Initiative the Authority’s strategic goal to ensure architects and practitioners in mapping and the Authority. While delegates that Rainforest Aboriginal people their traditional knowledge of country in gathered around the model, six are supported in expressing their the Wet Tropics. Mandingalbay Yidinji representatives, knowledge, culture and management supported by the Authority’s project Using Participatory 3 Dimensional practices in the World Heritage Area. facilitator, shared their knowledge and Modelling (P3DM), Mandingalbay Program manager Paul Chantrill said stories by illustrating them on to the Yidinji youths, Elders, men and women “collaborative projects such as these model. Later, at a Congress session on are creating 3D scale models and demonstrate the Authority’s ongoing the risks of mapping traditional and depicting their cultural heritage using commitment to facilitating practical and local knowledge, Mr Mandela accepted paint, strands of wool and pushpins. meaningful opportunities for rainforest Mandingalbay Yidinji’s completed Aboriginal people” model on behalf of the Congress and said: “we, as Indigenous people need to learn a language that helps us communicate what we need and who we are in a way that’s digestible to the rest of the community, so this initiative is an incredible one”. Into the future, the models and mapped information will assist Mandingalbay Yidinji people to manage their Indigenous Protected Area and country within the World Heritage Area. They will also inform tourism planning, be used as educational tools with local schools and for guiding tourists and visitors. View a short film about the project. M’Lis Flynn Wet Tropics Management Authority www.wtma.qld.gov.au

Mandingalbay elders and youth Depicting cultural knowledge building the 3D model on to the model The Promise of Sydney—the congress’s World Heritage at legacy document, highlights key approaches for protected area the IUCN World conservation that should be taken in Parks Congress order to keep inspiring, invigorating and investing in conservation outcomes for protected areas. Occurring once every 10 years in a different location around the world, the Importantly, and as outlaid in the World World Parks Congress (WPC) came to Heritage promise, was that: “World Sydney in November 2014. Over 6000 Heritage Sites agreed at the World delegates from 170 countries attended the Parks Congress to secure the highest 4th WPC. A once in a lifetime opportunity to level of international protection to our attend a WPC in our own country ensured most iconic protected areas, and to that Australia’s diverse protected area provide exemplary leadership within the stakeholders, workers and researchers protected areas movement on land and were well represented. As World Heritage Myself and four other speakers presented in the oceans”. sites cover 8% of all the Earth’s protected on the different approaches we have Hopefully this is something we can all areas there was a significant focus on taken towards the operationalisation continue to aim for and achieve. the role World Heritage sites play in the of OUV for our respective properties protected area arena. in Australia, Germany and France, and this was followed by a discussion Further reading and The goals of the World Parks Congress and concluding remarks by IUCN. The included: resources: operationalisation methodology was • articulating the vital role of protected developed by Jon Day, a former Director More on the World Heritage promise. areas in conserving nature while with the Marine Park delivering essential ecosystem services For a more thorough overview on the Authority, and it is gaining traction WPC, check out the latest Parks journal. • positioning protected areas within as a useful tool for managing and goals of economic and community understanding World Heritage sites A new report on the ‘Benefits of Natural well-being, and around the world. World Heritage’ report was launched at the WPC. • demonstrating how this can be The Congress is a great opportunity to achieved in practice. expand networks and catch up with The IUCN World Heritage Outlook website. The theme for this WPC was “Parks, colleagues from the World Heritage Innovative approaches emanating from people, planet: inspiring solutions.” and protected area fields. Staff from the Streams and Themes of the Congress. With World Heritage as one of the the UNESCO World Heritage centre cross-cutting themes there were plenty developed badges which helped to Angie Stringer of workshops to keep World Heritage identify all those who ‘heart’ World Principal Project Officer enthusiasts entertained and engaged. Heritage in the crowd. The ‘cost’ of World Heritage Management Key World Heritage topics during a badge was contact details so that Queensland Department of Environment the Congress were the launch of the a greater network of World Heritage and Heritage Protection International Union for the Conservation practitioners, researchers and workers of Nature (IUCN) World Heritage Outlook can be created. program; the exclusion of extractive With inspirational speakers, rangers, industries in World Heritage sites; researchers, a plethora of workshops, increasing the capacity of developing world leaders’ dialogues, launches, countries to manage their World Heritage performers and wilderness rap songs, sites; also our own Great Barrier Reef the atmosphere was electric and I World Heritage area was a main feature wasn’t the only one to complain about a of many speeches and workshops. temporary inability to focus on one thing The move to operationalise Outstanding with so much going on around. Universal Value (OUV) in order to increase understanding of, and therefore the conservation of OUV, was also explored at a workshop held in the Protected Planet Pavilion.

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