ANNUAL REPORT AND

ANNUAL REPORT AND STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2011–2012 | 2011–2012 Front cover: Josephine Falls, PO Box 2050 , QLD 4870

Tel: 07 4052 0555 Fax: 07 4031 1364 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wettropics.gov.au ANNUAL REPORT 2010 – 2011

WET TROPICS MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Annual Report 2011–2012

i ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 Purpose of the report This annual report details the financial and non-financial performance of the Wet Tropics Management Authority from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012. It highlights the work, achievements, activities and strategic initiatives of the Authority, and satisfies the requirements of Queensland’s Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 and Financial Accountability Act 2009; and the Commonwealth’s Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Conservation Act 1994. It also includes a report on the state of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, as required under section 63(1) of the Queensland Act and section 10 of the Commonwealth Act.

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Wet Tropics Management Authority PO Box 2050 Cairns QLD 4870 Phone: (07) 4052 0555 Email: [email protected]

ISBN 978-1-921591-64-8

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Disclaimer

This document has been prepared with all due diligence and care, based on the best available information at the time of publication. The Authority holds no responsibility for any errors or omissions within this document. Any decisions made by other parties based on this document are solely the responsibility of those parties.

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27 September 2012

The Honourable Andrew Powell MP Chair, Wet Tropics Ministerial Council Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection Level 13 400 George Street BRISBANE QLD 4000

Dear Minister

I am pleased to present the Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report 2011-2012 for the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

I certify this Annual Report and State of the Wet Tropics Report complies with:

• the prescribed requirements of the Financial Accountability Act 2009 and the Financial and Performance Management Standard 2009 • the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993, and • the detailed requirements set out in the Annual Report requirements for Queensland Government agencies.

A checklist outlining the annual reporting requirements can be accessed at http://www.wettropics.gov.au/corporate-home

Yours sincerely

Associate Professor Peter Valentine Chair, Wet Tropics Management Authority

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Contents

Wet Tropics Management Authority Annual Report 2011–2012 Highlights from the Chair 4 Introduction 8 Administration of the Act 10 Planning and Conservation Program 20 Communities and Partnerships Program 30 Business Management Program 38 Terms and Abbreviations 46

State of the Wet Tropics Report 2011–2012 Executive Summary 50 Introduction 53 Involvement, collaboration and participation 56 Governance (legislation, policies, strategies and coordination) 66 Human and community well-being, and environmental values and services 68 Research, education and knowledge application 71 Tourism and interpretation 76 Shaping the future 78 Footnotes 81

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Highlights from The Chair

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in the life of the community and works to support sustainable tourism in the World Heritage Area.

2011-12 represents another successful year for the Authority and its partners in World Heritage management. Some of the highlights of the year are summarised below. Supporting the State and Commonwealth Governments The Authority welcomed the appointment of Queensland Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, the Honourable Andrew Powell MP, following the Queensland State election in March 2012. Minister Powell took an early interest in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and the work of the Authority. Chair, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Associate Professor Peter Valentine The Wet Tropics Ministerial Council met in August 2011 in Brisbane. Two key The Wet Tropics of Queensland is one items of business were the approval of the World’s outstanding natural of amendments to the Wet Tropics landscapes. Its extraordinary diversity, Management Plan and agreement to a beauty and scientific significance revision to the Management Scheme was recognised in 1988 through Intergovernmental Agreement for the inscription of the Area on the World Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Register. Heritage Area.

As a consequence of the listing of the Building strong partnerships Wet Tropics of Queensland as a World The Authority depends absolutely Heritage Area, Australia accepted an on a variety of partnerships and international duty for the protection, collaborations in the delivery of conservation, presentation and its programs. All of our partners transmission to future generations of are important to us, but I take this the Area. The Wet Tropics Management opportunity to particularly acknowledge Authority (the Authority) has the great and thank Terrain NRM, James Cook privilege of assisting the Queensland University, CSIRO, the Australian and Australian Governments in Tropical Herbarium, the Rainforest meeting that obligation. Aboriginal Peoples Alliance (and its constituent community organisations), The Authority’s role is diverse. As well Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, as protecting the Wet Tropics World Biosecurity Queensland, Conservation Heritage Area (the Area) through Volunteers Australia, Far North administration of the Wet Tropics Queensland Regional Organisation Management Plan, the Authority of Councils, the Reef and Rainforest promotes scientific research and Research Centre and the Department sharing of knowledge; works to improve of Sustainability, Environment, Water, the well-being of Rainforest Aboriginal Population and Communities. We people; seeks to give the Area a role look forward to continuing strong

5 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 collaborations with these organisations The Authority collaborated with and continuing to grow our connections industry and community partners to in the future. have the Wet Tropics included as one of Australia’s ‘National Landscapes’. I have New Directors been pleased to observe the leadership I welcomed the appointment during the shown by the Authority in ensuring our year of Dr Rosemary Hill and Ms Leah partners are involved in this valuable Talbot as Directors of the Authority. program, which has resulted in a Both women bring very considerable prominent place for the Wet Tropics in knowledge of the Wet Tropics region international tourism promotions. and of heritage management and are already making a very positive The Authority, with funding support contribution to the governance of from the Queensland Government, has the Authority. completed a pre-feasibility study for a World Heritage gateway for Cairns. Supporting Rainforest If established, this gateway would play Aboriginal people an important role in Wet Tropics tourism 2011-12 was a year of transition for the by interpreting the values of the World Traditional Owners of the Wet Tropics as Heritage Area and orienting visitors to communities developed new forms of the diverse opportunities provided in the engagement and governance. region. The results of the study will The emergence of the Rainforest provide a basis for further work in Aboriginal Peoples Alliance provides support of this important concept. a potentially valuable partner and pathway for the Authority’s engagement In partnership with the Queensland with the 18 Rainforest Aboriginal tribal Tourism Industry Council, the Authority groups. The Authority was pleased to has completed and commenced provide support and advice to the implementation of a package of training Alliance in its establishment phase for tour guides working in the Wet and looks forward to a steadily Tropics. Already more than 65 guides strengthening relationship. have completed the training. The Authority plans to continue to The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous support their professional development Land Use Agreement provides for the through workshops and other activities preparation of community development conducted in partnership with the plans that will enable re-settlement industry. The outcomes of this work of traditional lands within the Wet will contribute to the reputation of the Tropics World Heritage Area. After an Wet Tropics as a high quality tourism extensive process of consultation with destination. the clan and family groups involved, the Authority was very pleased to complete Protecting World Heritage values several of these plans. Authority Two significant new risks to the Director Leah Talbot, herself a member outstanding universal value of the Wet of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji community, Tropics World Heritage Area came into represented the Authority at ceremonies prominence during the year. A large celebrating completion of these plans. infestation of yellow crazy ant was detected at Edmonton, south of Cairns, Strengthening Wet Tropics tourism which extended into the adjacent World The Authority recognises and values the Heritage Area. In response, the Authority critical importance of the Wet Tropics formed a partnership with Conservation World Heritage Area to the wet tropics Volunteers Australia and Biosecurity tourism industry and in turn, the far Queensland to secure grant funds for a economy. project that will systematically search

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World Heritage Area boundaries for the renewing the Wet Tropics website. presence of the ants. The website is a vital communication tool, sharing knowledge about the The Authority watched with alarm Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the northward spread of myrtle rust the Authority and other partners in towards the Wet Tropics and was management. The new website disappointed to receive reports of enhances the Authority’s capacity to numerous outbreaks of the disease communicate and engage with the from about April 2012. I have written Wet Tropics community. to State and Commonwealth Ministers urging that our national performance The Authority took the opportunity to in the management of this disease be meet with local government leaders reviewed and that a higher priority be when it met in Malanda and Ingham afforded to disease risks affecting during the year. Local government is natural environments. a vital partner in the protection and management of the Wet Tropics World Building and sharing rainforest Heritage Area. New leaders were knowledge elected to several councils during the The Authority took an active role in the course of the year and the Authority establishment of the Tropical looks forward to building mutually Ecosystems Hub for the National supportive relationships. Environment Research Program. Using the Wet Tropics Research I take this opportunity to thank my Strategy as a primary guide, the fellow Directors and Authority staff for Authority provided advice on their efforts in support of another priorities for investment and successful year. mechanisms for knowledge transfer. The Authority continues to support implementation by chairing the Rainforest Implementation Group and serving on the Hub steering committee. Associate Professor Peter Valentine Engaging the community in Chair, Wet Tropics Management Authority World Heritage conservation The Authority continues to support the Tablelands community in the Making Connections project, which is strengthening connections between remnant vegetation in and around the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. The Authority was delighted that the value of the project received national recognition as a ‘climate change champion’ by the National Climate Change Adaptation Research Facility. The award recognised the strength of the community collaboration in the project as well as its strong scientific underpinnings.

During the year, the Authority refreshed its logo and made substantial progress towards

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Introduction

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

The World Heritage List includes 962 threatened species of outstanding properties forming part of the cultural universal value from the point of view and natural heritage which the World of science or conservation Heritage Committee considers as - Criteria (x). having outstanding universal value. These include 745 cultural, 188 natural In May 2007 the Area was also listed on and 29 mixed properties. As of June Australia’s National Heritage List. The 2012, 189 State Parties have ratified Area was listed for the five National the World Heritage Convention. Heritage criteria which correspond to its World Heritage criteria. It is intended Australia became a signatory in 1974 that, over time and subject to resources and at 30 June 2012 there were 19 available, the Wet Tropics of Queensland Australian properties on the World will be reassessed for its full range of Heritage list. World Heritage listing National Heritage values. The criteria is recognition by the international are: community that a place is such an outstanding example of the world’s • the place’s importance in the course, natural or cultural heritage that its or pattern, of Australia’s natural or conservation is of value to all people. cultural history - Criteria (a) • the place’s possession of The Wet Tropics of Queensland World uncommon, rare or endangered Heritage Area (‘the World Heritage Area’ aspects of Australia’s natural or or ‘the Area’) has outstanding natural cultural history - Criteria (b) values, meeting all four natural criteria • the place’s potential to yield for World Heritage listing and fulfilling information that will contribute to an the necessary conditions of integrity. understanding of Australia’s natural The Wet Tropics of Queensland is or cultural history - Criteria (c) considered to: • the place’s importance in demonstrating the principal • contain superlative natural characteristics of (i) phenomena or areas of exceptional • a class of Australia’s natural or natural beauty and aesthetic cultural places; or (ii) a class of importance - Criteria (vii) Australia’s natural or cultural • be an outstanding examples environments - Criteria (d) representing the major stages of • the place’s importance in Earth’s history, including the record exhibiting particular aesthetic of life, and significant on-going characteristics valued by a geological processes in the community or cultural group development of landforms, or - Criteria (e). significant geomorphic or physiographic features - Criteria (viii) • be an outstanding example representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals - Criteria (ix) • contain the most important significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing

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Administration of the Act

• Enabling legislation • The Wet Tropics Management Authority • Statutory reporting obligations • Management structure • Committees and liaison groups

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Enabling legislation • develop and implement policies and The Wet Tropics of Queensland World programs for management of Heritage Area is managed under the Wet the Area Tropics World Heritage Protection and • formulate performance indicators for Management Act 1993 (the Queensland the implementation of approved Act) and the Wet Tropics of Queensland policies and programs World Heritage Area Conservation Act • advise and make recommendations 1994 (the Commonwealth Act). These to the Minister and the Ministerial Acts implement Australia’s international Council duty for the protection, conservation, • prepare and implement management presentation, rehabilitation and plans for the Area transmission to future generations of • administer funding arrangements the World Heritage Area. • facilitate and enter into Cooperative Management Agreements The Queensland Act establishes the • rehabilitate and restore the Area Wet Tropics Management Authority and • gather, research, analyse and provides the legal basis for the Wet disseminate information on the Area Tropics Management Plan 1998 (the Plan) • develop public and community that regulates land use activities in the education programs Area through a zoning and permit • promote the Area locally, nationally system. The Wet Tropics World and internationally Heritage Area Management Scheme is • liaise with the Queensland and an intergovernmental agreement signed Australian Governments, agencies by the Prime Minister of Australia and and international organisations the Premier of Queensland in 1990. • monitor the state of the Area It sets out broad structural and funding • advise and report to the Minister and arrangements for the management of the Ministerial Council on the state the Area. The agreement is incorporated of the Area. as Schedule 1 to the Queensland Act and given effect by section 3 of the The Authority must perform its Commonwealth Act. An amended functions in a way that is consistent version of the Agreement was adopted with the protection of the natural in 2011. heritage values of the Area. Subject to this requirement, in performing its The Wet Tropics functions, the Authority must, as far as Management Authority practicable, have regard to the The Wet Tropics Management Aboriginal tradition of, and liaise and Authority (‘the Authority’) was set up cooperate with, Aboriginal people to ensure Australia’s obligation under particularly concerned with land in the World Heritage Convention is met in the Area. relation to the Area. It is funded by the Australian Government and the Subject to performing its functions in Queensland Government, reporting to a way which is consistent with the both on its performance against agreed protection of the natural heritage values outcomes. The Authority is a body of the Area, the Authority must, as far corporate, with statutory powers as practicable, also perform its defined under the Queensland Act. functions in a way that is consistent with the objectives and principles of The Authority’s functions, as defined the National Strategy for Ecologically under section 10 of the Queensland Act, Sustainable Development and with the are to: Intergovernmental Agreement on the Environment.

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Statutory reporting obligations Ministerial Council. The Executive Each year the Wet Tropics Management Director of the Authority is a non-voting Authority prepares a report on the Board Director. The Board’s key administration of the Act during the function is to implement programs to year, financial statements for the year, meet Australia’s international and a report on the state of the Area, obligations for the Area under the as required under section 63(1) of the World Heritage Convention. Queensland Act and section 10 of the Commonwealth Act. The Authority operates as an administrative unit within the Management structure Queensland Government Department The intergovernmental agreement of Environment and Heritage Protection. provides for, inter alia, the establishment As part of the Queensland public sector, of the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council, the Authority is subject to public consisting of Commonwealth and State sector legislation, regulations, Ministers. Its function is to coordinate standards and guidelines governing policy and funding for the Area. administrative functions and arrangements. The Director-General In August 2011 the intergovernmental of the Department of Environment and agreement was updated to reflect the Heritage Protection is the accountable decision of the Council of Australian officer for the Authority under the Governments to abolish property Financial and Performance Management specific Ministerial Councils, including Standard 2009. The Authority is the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council, and responsible to the Director-General to make other minor amendments regarding compliance with State required to ensure the Agreement Government administrative and remains current and relevant. financial standards. The amended agreement continues to recognise that both the Queensland and The Authority has two statutory the Commonwealth have joint advisory committees appointed by interests in and responsibilities for the Board under the Queensland Act. the Wet Tropics of Queensland World They are the Community Consultative Heritage Area. Committee and the Scientific Advisory Committee. These committees meet Subject to amendment of the quarterly prior to Board meetings and Queensland Act, several of the functions advise the Authority on programs of Ministerial Council will be and research for the management re-allocated to a Ministerial Committee, of the Area. comprising the Commonwealth and Queensland Environment Ministers The Authority is a small organisation acting in cooperation. Other functions and works in partnership with other will be discharged by either the agencies, stakeholders and the wider Queensland or Commonwealth Minister. community. The Authority has produced a range of strategic policy and planning A Board of Directors is set up under documents which guide management of the Queensland Act and consists of the World Heritage Area, consistent seven directors, six of whom serve in with its legislative responsibilities. a part time capacity. Two directors Figure 1 provides an overview of the are nominated by the Australian Authority’s legislative and strategic Government and two by the Queensland planning framework. Government. The Chair and a designated Aboriginal director are While the Authority is the lead agency nominated by the Wet Tropics responsible for policy, planning and the

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Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection Wet Tropics of Queensland World and Management Act 1993 Heritage Conservation Act 1994

Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998

Conservation and Research and Role in the life of Tourism and Rehabilitation Monitoring the Community Presentation

Wet Tropics Wet Tropics WHA Wet Tropics Community Nature Based Conservation Research Strategy Regional Agreement Engagement Tourism Strategy Strategy 2004 2010-14 2005 Strategy 2011 2000

FIGURE 1: Legislative and strategic planning framework for the Wet Tropics Walking Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Strategy 2001

coordination of management in the Area, An annual partnership agreement is it is not directly responsible for developed each year between the on-ground management. Day-to-day Authority and Queensland Parks and management activities such as Wildlife Service (Department of National infrastructure maintenance and pest Parks, Recreation, Sports and Racing) to control are the responsibility of the prioritise and coordinate management relevant land managers which include activities in the protected area estate the Department of National Parks, within the World Heritage Area. Recreation, Sports and Racing the The partnership agreement outlines Department of Environment and products and services to be delivered Heritage Protection, infrastructure by Queensland Parks and Wildlife service providers for power, water Service under funding provided by the and roads and nine local governments. Queensland Government for World The local government areas which Heritage management. include parts of the Wet Tropics World Heritage include (Map 1): The Authority also works in partnership with the regional • Cairns Regional Council community as a means of building a • Cassowary Coast Regional Council sense of ownership and sharing both • Charters Towers Regional Council the benefits and burdens of sound • Cook Shire Council management. In particular, the Authority • Hinchinbrook Shire Council consults with the community, both • Tablelands Regional Council through its committees and • City Council directly and extensively on matters • Wujal Wujal Aboriginal with significant community impact, Community Council such as management plans. • Yarrabah Aboriginal Community Council. Wet Tropics Ministerial Council Appointment to the Ministerial Council is for the duration of term of office.

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The 22nd Wet Tropics Ministerial Council • The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, was held in Brisbane, 12 August 2011. Australian Minister for Tourism Ministerial Council members at the time • The Hon Jan Jarratt MP, Queensland of the meeting comprised: Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business. • The Hon Vicky Darling MP, Queensland Minister for Environment Following the Queensland State election (Chair) in March 2012, the Queensland Minister • The Hon Tony Burke MP, Australian for Environment and Heritage Minister for Sustainability, Protection, the Honourable Andrew Environment, Water, Population Powell MP became Chair of the Wet and Communities Tropics Ministerial Council.

MAP 1: Local Government Areas which include the Wet Tropics Heritage Area

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Wet Tropics Management Wet Tropics Management Authority Board of Directors Authority organisation and As at June 2012 the Board of Directors management structure comprised: The Authority comprises three programs which work cooperatively to manage • Associate Peter Valentine (Chair) the World Heritage Area (Figure 2). • Mr Andrew Maclean (Executive Director) Committees and liaison groups • Dr Alastair Birtles Community Consultative Committee • Cr Julia Leu The members of the Community • Dr Rosemary Hill Consultative Committee are selected to • Ms Leah Talbot. represent a broad range of community views and expertise from throughout The Authority welcomed the appointment the Wet Tropics region. A significant in February 2012 of two new Directors, number of the committee members Ms Leah Talbot and Dr Rosemary Hill. are landholders within the area or One (indigenous) directorship was vacant live on neighbouring properties. Their as at 30 June 2012. interests and skills include conservation, education, tourism, recreation, local The Authority’s Board met quarterly or government, Aboriginal culture, science as required. Four Board meetings were and primary industries. Due to other held during the year on: 8-9 August 2012 work commitments and responsibilities, in Malanda, including a field trip to the three members, including the Chair, Atherton Tablelands; 31 October 2011; Ms Moni Carlisle, resigned from the 12-13 March 2012; and 21-22 May 2012 Community Consultative Committee in Ingham. during the first half of 2012. At 30 June 2012 membership comprised: The overall cost of the Board in 2011- 2012 was $37,602. This included • Ms Bryony Barnett (Deputy Chair), Tolga meeting fees, special assignment fees, • Mrs Pam Birkett, Cairns all necessary and reasonable travel • Mr Greg Bruce, Townsville expenses, venue hire, catering and other • Mr Pino Giandomenico, Ingham general operating costs. • Mr Eden Gray-Spence, Cairns • Mr John Hardacker, Innisfail • Ms Darlene Irvine, Cairns • Mr Dean Nulty, Cairns • Ms Joann Schmider, Cairns

Associate Professor Peter Valentine Mr Andrew Maclean Dr Alastair Birtles

Cr Julia Leu Dr Ro Hill Ms Leah Talbot

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• Ms Doon McCool (representing the • Dr Dan Metcalfe, CSIRO Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Ecosystem Services Authority) (Observer) • Mr Andrew Millerd (representing • Mr Bruce Rampton (representing Department of National Parks, Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sports and Racing Recreation, Sports and Racing) • Dr Lea Scherl, Vice-Chair, Oceania, (Observer). IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy The Community Consultative Committee • Professor Jeff Sayer, Professor of met on: 15 July 2011; 7 October 2011; Conservation and Development 3 February 2012; and 20 April 2012. Practice, James Cook University The Community Consultative • Mr Gerry Turpin, Queensland Committee cost $1,908.00 to operate, Herbarium, Department of mostly for catering, venue hire and Environment and Heritage Protection reimbursement for out-of-pocket • Dr Christine Williams, Assistant expenses and travel expenses. Director General, Department of Members do not receive sitting fees. Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Scientific Advisory Committee • Dr David Westcott, CSIRO Members of the Scientific Advisory Sustainable Ecosystems Committee come from a broad range of disciplines including the natural, Members of the Scientific Advisory ecological, socio-cultural and economic Committee met on: 7 October 2012; sciences. Most are actively involved in 23 February 2012; and 10 May 2012. tropical research programs in the Wet The SAC cost $7,850 to operate, Tropics region and northern Australia. mostly for catering, venue hire and At 30 June 2012 the members of the reimbursements for out of pocket and Scientific Advisory Committee were: travel expenses. Members do not receive sitting fees. • Professor Steve Williams, Director, Centre for Tropical Biology and Conservation Sector Liaison Group Climate Change, James Cook The function of the Conservation Sector University (Chair) Liaison Group (CSLG) is to provide • Dr Susan Laurance, Tropical Leader conservation sector input to the in Rainforest Ecology, James Cook Authority in relation to key conservation University (Deputy Chair) challenges associated with the • Dr Damien Burrows, Centre for Wet Tropics World Heritage Area; Tropical Water and Aquatic to channel information and opinion Ecosystem Research, TropWater between the conservation sector and • Professor Carla Catterall, the Authority; and to facilitate and Environmental Futures Centre, support implementation of the Griffith University Authority’s conservation agenda. • Professor Darren Crayn, Director In turn, the conservation sector, through Australian Tropical Herbarium the CSLG, has the opportunity to be • Dr Miriam Goosem, Principal effectively engaged in providing timely Research Fellow, James Cook input into the development of policies University and strategies to address these • Dr Alex Kutt, Adjunct Associate key challenges. Professor, James Cook University • Ms Henrietta Marrie, Adjunct Senior The CSLG met four times during the Fellow, United Nations University year on: 17 October 2011; 7 December and Adjunct Professor, 2011; 26 March 2012; and 18 June James Cook University 2012. The Authority provides secretariat

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 support for the CSLG, including Wet Tropics Tourism Network provision of meeting facilities, catering, The Wet Tropics Tourism Network and out-of-pocket travel expenses for provides a key point of contact between members whose organisations or the Wet Tropics Management Authority community conservation groups and tourism operators who utilize the cannot cover those costs. World Heritage Area. Meetings provide a formal channel of communication Members of the CSLG are appointed on where participants advise and provide a three-year term. The current CSLG comment to Wet Tropics on policy was appointed in August 2011 for a directions, projects and strategies, three-year term. At 10 June 2012 specifically regarding tourism. members included: The focus of the Network is to • Ms Sarah Hoyal, Cairns and Far North facilitate partnerships and cooperation Environment Centre (Chair) in presenting World Heritage Values • Mr Peter Smith, Wildlife Preservation and as a result, further strengthening Society Qld (Deputy Chair) and developing the Wet Tropics tourism • Dr Alice Crabtree, Conservation industry. The Tourism Network Volunteers Australia comprises representatives from the • Dr Sigrid Heise-Pavlov, tourism industry, local operators, local Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group and state government agencies, local • Mr Tony Jurgensen, Johnstone conservation groups and Rainforest Ecological Society Aboriginal people. Over 100 individuals • Mr Glenn Kvassay, and organisations are on the mail list to Quoll Seekers Network participate at meetings, and participants • Mr Jeremy Little, choose to attend meetings that are of The Wilderness Society interest to them. • Ms Margaret Moorhouse, North Queensland Members of the Wet Tropics Tourism Conservation Council and the Network met on: 6 September 2011; Alliance to Save Hinchinbrook 14 February 2012; and 1 May 2012. • Mr Patrick Pearlman, Environmental The cost of running the group was Defender’s Office $1,910 and included catering and • Ms. Deborah Pergolotti, Frog Decline reimbursement for reasonable out-of- Reversal Project pocket expenses and travel expenses. • Mr Peter Rowles, Community for Members of the Wet Tropics Tourism Coastal and Cassowary Conservation Network do not receive sitting fees. • Ms Rowena Grace, Terrain NRM (Observer) At 30 June 2012 the Wet Tropics • Mr Andrew Millerd, Department of Tourism Network organisational National Parks, Recreation, Sport and membership included the following Racing (Observer) representative organisations • Mr Travis Sydes, FNQ Regional (excluding local and state government Organisation of Councils (Observer) organisations, individuals and private • Mr Michael Graham, tour operator businesses): Biosecurity Queensland (Observer) • The Alliance for Sustainable Tourism In 2011-12, the cost for convening CSLG • Australian Tourism Export Council meetings was $2,210. Costs incurred • Bamanga Bubu Ngadimunku Inc. were primarily for catering purposes • Conservation Volunteers Australia and out-of-pocket travel expenses of • Far North Queensland Tourism members. Members do not receive Operators Association sitting fees.

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• Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal • Tourism Operators and Business Corporation Magnetic Island • NQ Indigenous Tourism Alliance • Tourism Port Douglas Daintree • Gulf Savannah Tourism Network • Tourism Kuranda • Mission Beach Community • Tourism Tropical North Queensland Association • Townsville Enterprise Limited • Mission Beach Tourism • Tropical Coast Tourism • Queensland Tourism Industry • Yalanjiwarra Jalunji Marrjanga Corporation Aboriginal Corporation • Tableland Promotion Bureau • Tourism Daintree Coast, Port Douglas and Daintree

FIGURE 2: Wet Tropics organisation and management structure

Advisory Committees Wet Tropics Liaison Groups Ministerial Council Scientific Advisory Tourism Industry Committee Liaison Group

Wet Tropics Management Authority Board of Directors

Community Consultative Conservation Sector Committee Liaison Group Wet Tropics Management Authority

Planning and Conservation Business Management Communities and Partnerships • Knowledge management, • Regional leadership • Public relations research and monitoring • Corporate development • Community engagement • Climate change • Policy coordination • Education • Heritage conservation • Financial services • Communications • Wet Tropics Management • Human Resource Management • Indigenous partnerships Plan administration • Provision of office services • Tourism and presentation • Strategic planning and • Community development policy and planning

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19 Long tailed pygmy possum ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Planning and Conservation Program

• World Heritage protection • World Heritage conservation and rehabilitation • World Heritage knowledge management, research and reporting • Knowledge management and delivery

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The Planning and Conservation the conservation and rehabilitation of Program comprises staff with skills the Area in environmental planning and • engaging key partners in manage- assessment, permits and regulations, ment roles that support the environmental monitoring and protection of World Heritage values reporting and knowledge brokering consistent with the World Heritage and communication. The Planning and Convention and associated Australian Conservation Program is responsible for and Queensland Wet Tropics the delivery of the following projects: legislation.

• World Heritage protection Assessment of Wet Tropics • World Heritage conservation and permit applications rehabilitation Authority staff assessed and issued • World Heritage knowledge permits under the Plan to the management, research and reporting following agencies:

World Heritage protection • Townsville Water for vegetation Wet Tropics Management Plan clearing at Paluma Saddle Dam and permit administration • Townsville City Council for the The Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 replacement of the Birthday (the Plan) regulates activities in the Wet Creek bridge Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area) • Cairns Regional Council for the which have the potential to impact on installation of rock fall barriers at the integrity of the Area. This includes Barron Gorge Road and the the assessment of permit applications construction of a viewing platform for construction and maintenance of at Crystal Cascades roads, powerlines, water supplies and • Powerlink Queensland for the communication facilities, and motorised construction of the Ingham to Tully vehicle access within the Area. 275kVA electricity transmission line The project also develops policies and and power poles adjacent the guidelines about how best to manage switchyard at Kareeya hydro the use of the Area. Environmental electricity power station codes of practice and environmental • Department of Transport and Main management plans are often included Roads for the construction of road as part of permit conditions. works at Tin Creek on the Captian Cook Highway and batter stabilisa- The Planning and Conservation Program tion on the Kuranda Range section of also provides advice on development the Kennedy Highway and also on the proposals, including those outside the Gillies Highway Area that may affect the Area’s natural • Ergon Energy for the construction and cultural values. Wet Tropics of a telecommunication tower at Management Authority (the Authority) Mt Mackay staff work closely with landholders, • Djabugay Guided Tours Aboriginal local governments and other service Corporation for the construction of providers to manage infrastructure and a walking track near Skyrail’s development issues and to improve Barron Falls Station. weed and feral animal control. Key project objectives include: A number of agencies were issued with new permits to allow them to • implementation of strategies that continue to maintain their infrastructure protect the Area from adverse in the World Heritage Area including impacts of development and use Department of Transport and Main • developing strategies that support Roads, Cairns Regional Council,

21 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Morris water reserve track Charters Towers Regional Council, • Queensland Rail for the installation Cook Shire Council, Hinchinbrook of radio repeater facilities adjacent to Shire Council, Tablelands Regional the Kuranda railway. Council, Townsville City Council, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Ergon Energy, Wet Tropics permits issued by the Stanwell Corporation, Powerlink Department of Environment and Queensland, Broadcast Australia Pty Ltd, Resource Management Queensland Police Service, Black and The former Department of Environment White (Quick Service) Taxis Ltd. and Resource Management isued 206 permits under Part 6 of the Plan for Authority staff continue to assess the use of motor vehicles on other development proposals including presentation restricted roads and proposals by Department of Transport management roads. and Main Roads for batter stabilisation works on the Captain Cook and Training of conservation officers Gillies Highways. All conservation officers under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 have, Minor and inconsequential activities by virtue of their office, the power Activities deemed to be of minor and to undertake investigation and inconsequential impact under the Plan enforcement activities in relation to the do not require a Wet Tropics permit to Plan. Staff from the Authority conducted be issued. One permit application was training for Queensland Parks and assessed by staff during 2011-2012 and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers on their deemed to be minor and inconsequential responsibilities as authorised officers in terms of the impact the proposed under the provisions of the Plan. activity would have on the Area’s integrity. That proposal was from Compliance Powerlink Queensland for the On 1 October 2011 a contractor construction of new optic fibre cables to Queensland Rural Fire Service on the Chalumbin to Kareeya powerline. constructed a fire break within the Girramay National Park, within the Staff also reviewed and provided World Heritage Area, and also across advice regarding proposals that were adjacent freehold land due to the threat also deemed to have only minor and the fire posed to three residential inconsequential impacts on the Area. properties. The construction of the fire These included: break resulted in impacts to soil and to watercourses and disproportionate • Ergon Energy for access to clearing of vegetation. transmission lines at Yule Point and the replacement of an underground At the request of the Authority, electricity transmission line near Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Copperlode Dam (QPWS) reviewed this incident with • Commonwealth Department of Queensland Rural Fire Service and Defence for the upgrade of training reported that lessons have been learnt facilities at Tully Training Area by all parties which should help improve • Hinchinbrook Shire Council for minor future fire control activities within the batter stabilisation on the Wallaman World Heritage Area. Some on-ground Falls Road rehabilitation was later carried out by • Department of Transport and Main QPWS which included the planting of Roads for track access at Yule Point 700 seedlings. • Cairns Regional Council for stabilisation works on the Lake

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Cooperative Management ‘Making Connections: Building Landscape Agreements Resilience to Climate Change in the Wet The Authority developed a Cooperative Tropics Landscape’. Scientific modelling Management Agreement under section has shown that improving connectivity 43 of the Plan with James Cook in the cool, high areas of the Southern University regarding the construction of Atherton Tablelands could help build a 40 metre steel lattice tower at Robson the resilience of the region to climate Creek in Danbulla National Park. change and provide a refuge for the The tower with its associated scientific unique plants and animals of the instrumentation will allow the collection Wet Tropics that are sensitive to of data to monitor energy, water and rising temperatures. carbon balance. In conjunction with measurements of soil and weather, and This 3-year project is a collaborative the long term monitoring of vegetation exercise involving multiple partners. in an associated rainforest site, it is The project was officially launched expected that the study will improve at the Authority’s Board meeting in the understanding of the relationship Malanda in August 2011 followed by a between biophysical parameters and tree-planting at East Evelyn involving vegetation growth. The data being participating private land holders and collected at Robson Creek will also project partners including Tablelands contribute to a global network of Regional Council (TRC), Conservation similar instrumented monitoring sites. Volunteers Australia (CVA), Trees for Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT), Bloomfield to Cape Tribulation Road the Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group planning study (TKMG), Malanda Landcare, QPWS, The Cairns Regional Council agreed to Griffith University and University undertake a whole-of-road planning of Queensland. study for the future management and use of the Bloomfield to Cape With the assistance of the QPWS Tribulation Road. This study, fulfilling a in facilitating relationships with condition of a previously issued permit, landholders and contractors, nearly is required by the Authority as a basis 19,000 trees of over 100 species have for consideration of any further permit been planted along Rock Road and applications to upgrade the road. East Evelyn Road by TRC, CVA’s Better Earth programme and more than 120 Wet Tropics Management Plan review volunteers from the School for Field A Wet Tropics Amendment Management Studies and community groups like Plan was prepared following completion TREAT and TKMG. To date, 6.5 hectares of the first 10-yearly review of the Plan. have been replanted, and over 2.5 However, the approval process for the kilometres of fencing has been erected Amendment Plan was not completed to protect plantings from cattle. prior to Queensland State Government Two pasture conversion plots have been elections being called in early 2012. established by Dr Carla Catterall (Griffith The Authority expects to complete the University) to trial low-cost methods Amendment Plan during 2012-13. of encouraging natural regeneration. Five microhabitat plots have been World Heritage conservation established by Dr Luke Shoo (University and rehabilitation of Queensland) with assistance from ‘Making Connections’ project CVA to encourage faster re-colonisation In 2010 the Authority was successful in of small ground-dwelling animals like securing $600,000 from the Australian frogs and skinks. Government’s Caring for Our Country initiative for a project referred to as

23 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

The National Climate Change Adaptation awareness of, and to control tramp Research Facility and CSIRO recognised ants, the Authority arranged for media this ‘Making Connections’ project as their exposure about the threat and produced Community Champion award for 2012, a short video on yellow crazy ants one of four national Climate Change to help people to identify them and Champion awards. Dr Luke Shoo and encourage reporting of any sightings. nature refuge owner Mr Dave Hudson attended the National Adaptation The Authority also submitted a Conference in Melbourne and funding application to the Australian accepted the award on behalf of all Government’s Caring for our Country project partners. program on behalf of Biosecurity Queensland and Conservation Biosecurity threats to World Volunteers Australia (CVA) to intensively Heritage values survey the boundary of the World Tramp ants Heritage Area for tramp ant infestations Electric ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) between Palm Cove and Edmonton, and yellow crazy ants (Anoplolepis and around Bingil Bay near Mission gracilipes) are among the world’s Beach. This will enable CVA (trained by 100 most invasive species and pose Biosecurity Queensland) to lead teams a significant risk to the Area should of volunteers to survey for electric they become established. Both have and yellow crazy ant infestations, and been present in restricted locations to raise community awareness of the in the Cairns region for several years impact they can have on the unique flora and Biosecurity Queensland has been and fauna of the Wet Tropics, humans, continuing surveillance and control pets, and rural livelihoods. measures to seek to eradicate these areas of infestation. Myrtle rust Myrtle rust (Puccini psidii) is a fungal In early 2012, yellow crazy ants were disease which poses a very serious detected just inside the World Heritage threat to the outstanding universal value Area for the first time, in Little Mulgrave of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. National Park near Edmonton. It is It affects plants of the Myrtaceae family, believed this Edmonton infestation including gum trees ( spp.), was most likely the result of ant- paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.), tea trees infested vegetation being dumped, (Leptospermum spp.), bottle brushes potentially after Tropical Cyclone Yasi, (Callistemon spp.), lilly pillies (Syzygium and spreading over a year across 230 spp.) and turpentine (Rhodamnia spp.). hectares of farmland and forest. More than 200 species of myrtle are found in the Wet Tropics, with the warm, The Authority recognises the support humid climate providing ideal conditions and timely action of Biosecurity for its requirements. Queensland in commencing biosecurity measures to seek to eradicate this Native to South America, myrtle rust was incursion as a matter of priority, before first detected in Australia in April 2010 it can become established in the World on the central coast of New South Wales. Heritage rainforests. Methoprene, an It was then detected in south eastern ant growth inhibitor is being used and Queensland and more recently in the was spread via helicopter in June 2012. Cairns region. In April 2012, myrtle rust Further treatments will be carried out was detected in the Area at Mossman during 2012-13. Gorge National Park and by June 2012 had been detected in a number of In order to support Biosecurity national parks across the Wet Tropics Queensland in their efforts to raise from Cape Tribulation in the north to

24 The boulders at Babinda ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

south of Ingham and west to Ravenshoe. The Authority also prepared and While it may be many years before the produced a ‘Fire knows no boundaries’ full impact of the disease is realised, brochure for distribution by the Cairns the Authority is concerned about the Hillslopes Committee, Queensland major threat it poses on the Area’s World Fire and Rescue Service and Cairns Heritage values, as well as the apparent Regional Council. The brochure is shortcomings of Australia’s biosecurity designed to help inform the public, system which has failed to prevent the especially those with properties rapid spread of the rust through eastern adjacent protected areas, about the Australia’s native forests. need for controlled burns and where to get further information. The Authority will continue to work with the Queensland and Australian Local Government planning Governments to seek research funding The Authority provided advice and to help better understand the relative recommendations in relation to susceptibility of Wet Tropics species to preparation of local government the disease; what parts of the landscape planning schemes for the Cassowary may be more or less susceptible to Coast, Tablelands and Cairns Regional infection, and what quarantine and Councils and the Cook Shire Council. control measures might be effective at a local scale. Working with the community Cassowary Recovery Team National parks planning The Authority continues to chair and management and provide secretariat support The Authority provided comments and for the Cassowary Recovery Team submissions to the State’s masterplan which oversees implementation of for protected areas, forests and wildlife the Recovery Plan for the Southern ‘Naturally Queensland 2020’. The Cassowary under the Commonwealth’s Authority also liaised and provided Environment Protection and Biodiversity advice to DERM in relation to the Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). preparation of a number of management plans for national parks in the Area.

25 Orange-thighed tree frog ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

In early 2012, Authority staff assisted World Heritage Centre in 2011. the Cassowary Recovery Team The compiled Periodic Report for the to develop a dedicated website Asia-Pacific region was adopted by the cassowaryrecoveryteam.org as a World Heritage Committee at its thirty- central resource for anyone interested sixth session (24 June - 6 July 2012). in cassowary conservation in Australia. The site incorporates information World Heritage about southern , where Retrospective Inventory to see them, how to report sightings, In 2010-2011 the World Heritage educational resources, cassowary nomination files of Asian and Pacific news, meeting agendas, and how to be World Heritage properties which were ‘cass-o-wary’ and support conservation inscribed on the World Heritage List efforts. pre-1999 were reviewed by the World Heritage Centre. The reason for this World Heritage knowledge review was because prior to 1999, management, research inventories and baseline date on these and reporting earlier properties was not gathered in World Heritage Reporting a systematic or consistent way. This United Nations Educational review resulted in the Authority being Scientific and Cultural Organisation requested to provide a retrospective Periodic Report ‘Statement of Outstanding Universal United Nations Educational Scientific Value’ for the Wet Tropics World and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Heritage Area as well as an accurate requires the preparation of World map depicting the boundaries of Heritage Periodic Reports every six the property. years on a regional basis. Australia is part of the Asia-Pacific reporting region. The Authority subsequently prepared The Periodic Report is the primary these retrospective products which reporting and evaluation mechanism are based on the information provided for all World Heritage properties. The in the original nomination document Authority submitted its Periodic Report and the original International Union on the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area for Conservation of Nature, (IUCN) (via the Commonwealth Department assessment reports for the Wet Tropics. of Sustainability, Environment, Water, At its 36th session, the World Heritage Population and Communities) to the Committee (Saint Petersburg 24 June -

26 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

6 July 2012) formally adopted the Wet National Collaborative Research Tropics of Queensland retrospective Infrastructure Strategy and the Super Statement of Outstanding Universal Science Initiative. TERN provides Value. At the same time the Committee infrastructure and procedures through adopted the improved Wet Tropics of which a wide array of ecosystem Queensland boundary mapping as research data and knowledge can prepared by the Authority. be stored, accessed and analysed. It provides a set of dedicated observation Research Partnerships sites, standardised measurement Scientific Advisory Committee methodologies, equipment and data. The Planning and Conservation program continued to support the Authority’s TERN is establishing two Rainforest Scientific Advisory Committee. During Super Sites in the Wet Tropics Area; one the year major issues where SAC advice on the centred on a was sought included: the development 25 hectare instrumented monitoring plot of the Wet Tropics Learning Landscape at Robson Creek; and one in the Daintree Roadmap; biosecurity issues; lowlands centred on JCU’s Daintree amendments to guidelines and policies Rainforest Observatory and canopy associated with the review of the Wet crane site. The Rainforest Super Sites Tropics Management Plan; Caring for will provide information on changes in Our Country funding submissions; biodiversity focusing on the influence of connectivity conservation priorities; climate change and climate drivers such fire management and State of the Wet as carbon dioxide. Tropics reporting. The Authority and the Department National Environmental of National Parks, Recreation, Sport Research Program and Racing are entering into a The Australian Government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the National Environmental Research TERN Rainforest Super Site research Program (NERP) funds a portfolio of consortium to jointly support their public good environmental research various projects and to facilitate, enable throughout Australia. The NERP Tropical and encourage collaboration of effort Ecosystems Hub, administered by the between the parties for mutual benefit. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), is addressing issues of concern ARC Linkage Grant for the management, conservation and In December 2011 the Authority entered sustainable use of the Wet Tropics, Great into a partnership agreement with Barrier Reef and Torres Strait regions James Cook University, the Queensland through the generation and transfer of Herbarium, the University of Queensland research findings and knowledge. and Biome5 Pty Ltd in an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage project: The Authority is represented on Accelerating species richness gains the NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub and carbon sequestration in secondary Steering Committee and also chairs regrowth in north Queensland. and is represented on the NERP Tropical Ecosystems Hub Rainforest The aim of the project is to devise Implementation Group. strategies to accelerate rainforest recovery and regrowth on degraded Terrestrial Ecosystem land. Although tropical abandoned Research Network lands offer important opportunities to The Terrestrial Ecosystem Research increase carbon storage and conserve Network (TERN) is supported by the biodiversity, natural forest regeneration Australian Government through the is slow and frequently inhibited by

27 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 arrested and deflected successions and Landscape’ concept is also aligned invasion by woody weeds. with UNESCO policy which encourages The Authority’s contribution to the World Heritage properties to serve as project involves the allocation the ‘living laboratories’ where monitoring, staff time and access to digital spatial mitigation and adaptation processes can coverages and data sets. be applied, tested and improved. They also encourage partnerships Student research grant scheme between relevant organisations in field In 2011-12 the Authority established a activities on mitigation and adaptation competitive funding scheme for small strategies, methodologies, tools and/or grants to Australian post graduate pilot projects. students to support environmental, social and cultural research which Over the past year, several workshops would benefit Wet Tropics World were held to refine and develop the Heritage Area Management, policy concept further, resulting in an initial development and operational draft Wet Tropics Learning Landscape decision making. Over 25 projects Roadmap being produced for Board were submitted for consideration by consideration and discussion. the panel. Well conceived projects, meeting the priorities of the Wet Tropics Tropical rainforest plant Management Authority Research identification courses Strategy 2010-2014 and demonstrating The Wet Tropics Management Authority, scientific rigour and innovative research in partnership with the Australian were favourably reviewed. Ten post- Tropical Herbarium delivered a series graduate students from five Australian of workshop-style courses covering the universities were successful in skills needed to identify both native and receiving funds. weedy plant species in the rainforests of the Wet Tropics. The courses were Wet Tropics learning landscape designed for a broad range of users, During 2010, the Authority completed a including environmental professionals, substantial review of its research and rangers, students and interested public. information needs to produce the Wet The courses were hands-on, with Tropics World Heritage Area Research participants visiting local rainforests Strategy 2010-2014. A key outcome to put into practice their classroom and initiative developed under the learning. In 2011-12, six workshops Research Strategy was the promotion of were delivered across north east the Area as a World Heritage ‘learning Queensland to various Indigenous landscape’. Through this, the Authority ranger groups and the general public. seeks to support continued research, to build on the legacy of past research Geographic Information Services investment and to ensure knowledge The Authority provided geographic generated in the Wet Tropics is information services and products accessible to rainforest and protected to a varied client base during the area managers elsewhere. The Learning year. Clients included local, State Landscape concept recognises that and Commonwealth government there are comparative advantages of departments, universities, research undertaking research which focuses organisations, community groups on and benefits the management of and individuals. World Heritage properties, since actions taken at these iconic properties attract considerable attention and can influence the adoption of good management practices elsewhere. The ‘Learning

28 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

29 Rainforest fruits ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Communities and Partnerships Program

• Community Engagement • Indigenous Partnerships project • Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Land Use Agreement Implementation • Tourism and Presentation

30 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

The Communities and Partnerships region. The Committee gained a program comprises staff with Rainforest Aboriginal representative, professional skills in community however saw the resignation of the engagement, indigenous partnerships, Chair and a Committee member during communications, tourism and visitor the year. Topics covered during the services. Through the Communities year included access to the Area, and Partnerships program, the Wet education opportunities, community Tropics Management Authority (The forums, branding of the Authority and Authority) works to ensure that the Wet presentation of the Area. Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area) is relevant in the life of the community Cassowary Awards and Young and that, in turn, the community has a Cassowary Awards say in the management of the Area and The thirteenth annual Cassowary has opportunities to contribute towards Awards were held at the Cairns Botanic its protection and management. The Gardens Visitor Centre on 5 November program includes four main projects: 2011. The Awards were presented by Board Chair Peter Valentine and Mr • Community engagement Steve Wettenhall MP, Member for Barron • Indigenous partnerships River, representing the Queensland • Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Government. Also held on the evening Land Use Agreement implementation were the Young Cassowary Awards, now • Tourism and visitor services. in their sixth year. Ten Cassowary Award winners were honoured, including one Community engagement Young Cassowary Award. The Community Engagement Project aims to inspire the community to Keep it Wild poster competition actively engage and participate in The Authority launched its Keep it Wild conservation and presentation of the poster competition in September 2011. Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the The competition was held at the Cairns Area) and to educate the community to Regional Art Gallery. Over 300 entries appreciate the diverse environmental were received, with young artists from and socioeconomic benefits of the Area. primary schools around the region The project also aims to promote the finding expression to messages about role of the Authority and its partners in protecting our reef and rainforests. managing the Area. Winning posters were exhibited at the Cairns Regional Gallery. The winners’ The project generates and supports a artwork was also made into a calendar broad range of products and activities for 2012. to engage and educate the community, including advisory and liaison groups, Promotion of the Wet Tropics World educational materials, the Wet Tropics Heritage Area Management Authority website, National Heritage Week brochures, books and DVDs, local The Authority celebrated Australian media stories, regional displays, art Heritage Week from 14 - 22 April exhibitions, and the annual 2012. With support and advice from Cassowary Awards. the Authority the Cairns Post included a feature on 18 April, highlighting the Working with the Wet Tropics values of the Wet Tropics and Great community Barrier Reef World Heritage Areas and Community Consultative Committee Cape York Peninsula region. A number The Community Consultative Committee of public figures also supported the held meetings every quarter, discussing feature by providing quotes. topical issues around the Wet Tropics

31 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Branding work of the Authority and its partners. The Authority refreshed its Cassowary Editions were published in August logo in 2012, keeping the logo to a and November 2011 and March simple stylised cassowary head, and May 2012. however with an added splash of colour. Roll out of the refreshed logo was to Education coincide with the preparation of the Newspapers in Education renewed Wet Tropics website. Three The Authority sponsored the statements defining the Authority’s role Newspapers in Education (NiE) section in ‘Conserving’, Sharing’, and ‘Enriching’ of The Cairns Post newspaper for were also articulated and provided the the eighth year. As part of its basis for organisation of information sponsorship the Authority provided relating to the Authority on the four pages of stories and small renewed website. activities. This year’s NiE articles promoted the Young Cassowary Awards, Communications Keep It Wild art competition, and Wet Tropics website Australian Heritage Week. The Authority commenced work in 2012 on renewing its website with a Indigenous Partnerships project new design and a review of its content. Liaising and co-operating with The site focuses on showcasing the Rainforest Aboriginal people of the Wet World Heritage Area and the work of Tropics World Heritage Area (the Area) the Authority. The website’s landing and respecting their traditions are key page focuses on enabling visitors to elements to how the Authority operates understand, explore and care for the in managing the Area. As the original World Heritage Area. The site has managers and custodians who shaped retained the popular walks database the landscape to its current natural and the Rainforest Explorer educational significance, the Authority acknowledges resource. Visitors to the website can the significant contribution Rainforest also learn how the Authority works by Aboriginal people make to management. visiting pages grouped into conserving, sharing and enriching. The capacity of Traditional Owners to express their knowledge, cultures Social media and networking and ‘looking after country’ practices A Wet Tropics facebook page was set up is critical to their well-being, yields in 2011-12 to establish a social media social and economic dividends for presence that would promote World the broader community as well as Heritage Area experiences. Visitors environmental and cultural benefits. to the page are able to share their Appropriate recognition and support experience and perspectives of the provides a platform for improved World Heritage Area and learn more leadership, governance and operational about activities going on in and around competencies through capacity growth, the Area. The Wet Tropics facebook page education, and equitable participation allows the Authority to share events, in decision-making, enterprise and to communicate with connected development and employment. community members. The Authority undertakes community E–newsletter and corporate liaison, policy and Publication of the Authority’s quarterly protocol development, negotiation e–newsletter continued during the year, and implementation of native title with the objective of ensuring the Wet determinations and Indigenous Land Tropics community is well informed Use Agreements, collaborative projects, about the World Heritage Area and the engagement in permit assessments,

32 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 and supports the preparation of grants Australian World Heritage for Rainforest Aboriginal organisations Indigenous Network for their involvement in on-ground The Authority supported Rainforest management. This partnership approach Aboriginal representatives to participate includes working closely with Rainforest in the Australian World Heritage Aboriginal people and their local and Indigenous Network (AWHIN) enabling regional organisations, native title Wet Tropics Traditional Owners to representative bodies, Federal and State discuss strategies and ideas with government agencies, local government Traditional Owners from other World councils, research institutions, non- Heritage Areas. Former Authority Board government organisations and Director, Ms Allison Halliday (AWHIN reference groups. co-chair) represented the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area on the AWHIN. Partnerships with Rainforest Aboriginal people Native Title, Indigenous Land Use National Heritage Assessment for Agreements and other agreements in Indigenous Heritage Values the World Heritage Area The Authority provided advice and The Authority participated in the assistance to the Australian negotiation and implementation of a Government in support of the variety of Native Title Determinations assessment of the National Heritage and associated Indigenous Land Values of the Wet Tropics and for public Use Agreements (ILUAs). In this task consultation to ensure Rainforest the Authority seeks to reconcile its Aboriginal people are aware and responsibility to appropriately balance involved in the listing decision and its World Heritage values with the well implications for the Area. being of Rainforest Aboriginal people, their cultural obligations to protect and Rainforest Aboriginal manage lands and waters, and their Peoples Alliance aspirations for land use, community Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Alliance development and socio-economic (RAPA) is the emerging regional recovery. In 2011-12 the Authority was leadership group across Rainforest a signatory to a number of Native Title Aboriginal people within the Wet determinations in the World Heritage Tropics region, actively supporting Area including: the on-ground Traditional Owner networks and providing a strategic • Wanyurr Majay peoples over lands regional voice. The Authority provided in the vicinity of Mt Bellenden Ker financial and in-kind support to RAPA, and parts of the Wooroonooran in partnership with Terrain NRM National Park and surrounding areas and Girringun and Jabalbina Yalanji • Djiru peoples over lands and waters Aboriginal Corporations, to establish in Mission Beach and surrounding their governance and operational areas including parts of Tully Gorge, capacities. The Authority recognises Clump Mountain and Hull River that RAPA’s pro-active regional voice can National Parks, Walter Hill Range greatly contribute to service delivery Conservation Park, Unallocated State outcomes for Rainforest Aboriginal Land and Reserve Land people, including engaging with the • Gugu Badhun peoples over lands Authority, other government agencies, in the upper Burdekin, including the non-government organisations (NGOs) George and Seaview ranges, and sector groups with interests in the across to Lava Plains and to World Heritage Area. Emu Creek • Combined Gunngandji determination over land and waters, including the

33 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

northern part of the Yarrabah Deed Community consultations effective in of Grant in Trust , including Yarrabah maintaining strong relationships with township, the foreshores of Mission the Rainforest Aboriginal community Bay, Cape Grafton, Turtle Bay, Wide were focused around structured Bay and Oombunghi beach, part of discrete projects and activities. Routine Malbon Thompson Forest Reserve consultation activities provided timely and two parcels of land on and informed advice and information Fitzroy island. exchange that benefited both Rainforest Aboriginal people and the Authority. The Authority has also been engaged Some examples include: in the negotiations of the Mamu and Tablelands Yidinji Native Title ILUA • participating in the Girringun negotiations. IPA Steering Committee and progressing an Memorandum Indigenous Protected Areas of Understanding with Girringun The Authority worked with the Aboriginal Corporation Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal • supporting Djabugay Tribal Corporation (MYAC) /Djunbunji Land and Aboriginal Corporation to establish Sea Program and Girringun Aboriginal a tourism enterprise Corporation to develop pathways for • facilitating training in plant the implementation of their respective identification, map reading and Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA). GPS use for Bana Yarralji and Djunbunji rangers so assist In December 2011 the Authority signed them in managing their traditional a Memorandum of Understanding with lands more effectively MYAC outlining agreed commitments • working with Ngadjon-jii elders under the ILUA together with a (and the Tableland Regional commitment to assist MYAC and the Council) to record oral histories Djunbunji Land and Sea Program to and stories relating to pioneer implement their IPA. The Authority is also settlement, human relationships and collaborating with Mandingalbay Yidinji interactions with the rainforest. people (through the Djunbunji Land and Sea Program) to assist them with Indigenous climate change mitigation cultural heritage mapping as outlined in The Authority collaborated with the the Memorandum of Understanding the United Nations University (UNU), the Authority recently signed with them. Christensen Fund and the Cairns Institute to convene a symposium on Indigenous Community engagement the 25 March 2012 on Climate Change Community liaison Mitigation with Local Communities and The Authority worked closely Indigenous Peoples: Practices, Lessons with Rainforest Aboriginal people, Learned and Prospects. native title representative bodies, Over 80 participants participated in regional Aboriginal organisations, the workshop to compile and analyse government agencies, non-government relevant issues related to climate organisations and reference groups to change mitigation action by local engage Rainforest Aboriginal people communities and indigenous people in the management of the Area. The using case studies from Northern Authority continued to implement Australia, including the Wet Tropics, its obligations under the Wet Tropics Torres Strait and Cape York Peninsula. Regional Agreement, including applying consultation protocols with local The outcomes were presented at an Traditional Owners on all aspects of international UNU Traditional the Authority’s business. Knowledge Initiative Workshop on

34 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

26-28 March 2012. This larger three-day Management Plan 1998. workshop was organised in partnership This Cooperative Management with the UNU, Intergovernmental Panel Agreement also provides for the on Climate Change, the Australian agreement of Community Development Government Department of Climate Plans and Activity Guidelines that Change and Energy Efficiency, the facilitate such development and ensure Secretariat of the Convention on the protection of World Heritage Biological Diversity and the Secretariat values. All activities must be compliant of the United Nations Permanent Forum with the valid laws of the State and on Indigenous Issues. Commonwealth. The Authority and prescribed body corporate and land Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous trust Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Land Use Agreement Corporation (Jabalbina) worked implementation with Traditional Owners to prepare The core objective of this project Community Development Plans for is the protection of World Heritage these Community Development areas. values and Eastern Yalanji peoples’ improved well being and sustainable Community Development Plans livelihoods through the establishment of Community Development Plans were environmentally, culturally, socially and completed for four pilot areas at Cow economically sustainable Community Bay, Georges Yard, Mungumby and Development Plans and Activity Trevethan. Community Development Guidelines. These will assist Eastern Plans were signed off by clan elders at Yalanji people to move back on to and ceremonies organised by Jabalbina at care for country in a sustainable fashion Wujal Wujal, Trevethan and Mungumby. in accordance with their Native Title rights and interests. Community Development Plans for other areas in the Community Development The Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous areas will be developed using the Land Use Agreements (EKY ILUA) signed same format in response to settlement in 2007 provided for the creation or pressures which may arise in future continuation of a number of tenures over through the actions of particular clan 230,000 hectares of the traditional lands groups. Further tasks also include the of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji, mostly within accurate depiction of the boundaries of the northern sector of the Wet Tropics the proposed ‘good living areas’ within World Heritage Area. These include the Community Development areas Reserves for Cultural, Environmental, for the incorporation of Community and Recreational purposes, Freehold, Development Plans into local Term Lease, National Park and government planning schemes. Aboriginal Land as Nature Refuge or Community Development areas. The Master Planning project latter, approximately 16,500 hectares, Activities also have to comply with Local was transferred in 2011 under the Government planning requirements Aboriginal Land Act 1991 for Eastern under the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners to live (SPA). The Authority commissioned on their country, manage it to conserve Cook Shire Council’s local government the lands’ values and to develop planning scheme experts to develop sustainable economic opportunities a mechanism to incorporate Eastern from it to improve their well-being. They Kuku Yalanji Community Development have agreed to exercise their Native Title Plans into the new Sustainable Planning rights and interests only in accordance Act 2009 compliant local government with a Cooperative Management planning schemes. This project report Agreement under the Wet Tropics provided an overview describing how the

35 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 various elements of the package interact World Heritage values are appropriately with the planning scheme, and explained conserved. Jabalbina and the Authority how Eastern Kuku Yalanji people wishing worked together to agree a draft set of to live on country could progress their Activity Guidelines to complement the plans. This master plan also informed Community Development Plans. the development of a Bush Living Code or other mechanism to incorporate the Tourism and Presentation Community Development Plans into the Tourism and the presentation of the Local Government planning schemes. It Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (the is envisaged that these outcomes may Area) and associated values are critical also assist in framing a broader ‘Bush areas of activity for the Authority. Living Code’ for Aboriginal Land to be They contribute to the Queensland put forward as a State Planning Policy Government’s back on track statement or other planning instrument to allow of objectives for the community, to grow uses such as building homes to be self- a four pillar economy and deliver better assessable in these circumstances. infrastructure and planning.

The Authority and Jabalbina facilitated The Authority is contributing to regional the formation of a cross-government efforts to put tropical Queensland back working forum, led by the Department on the map as Australia’s main nature- of State Development, Infrastructure based tourism destination. It has done and Planning and including the Cook this by: championing the establishment and Cairns Regional Councils, that of a World Heritage Gateway Centre considered practical ways of integrating for Cairns; instigating, leading and the rights and interests of Indigenous implementing a comprehensive landowners with development and tour guide certification and training environmental conservation regulation. program; and leading the regional This joint working group will now be effort to have the Wet Tropics as one of convened to consider further steps in Australia’s 15 National Landscapes, the the adoption of the model by State and Commonwealth’s program to market local government. the best of Australia’s nature to the international traveller. Ten Mile Station Natural Resource Management Agreement The Authority is very conscious of the The Authority worked with the lessee economic importance of the Area and of Ten Mile Station, a former pastoral is actively interested in ensuring it lease, to develop a natural resource is sustainably managed in ways that management agreement (a lease maintain its relevance and value in the condition under the ILUA) to ensure tourism marketplace. The Authority that cattle are managed within the also regards a strong partnership with World Heritage Area in an ecologically the tourism industry as a vital means sustainable manner. Negotiations are of achieving the objectives of the World expected to be concluded shortly. Heritage Convention for presenting the World Heritage Area and for ensuring it Community Development areas has a role in the life of the community. Activity Guidelines Community Development Plans as National Landscapes described above, prescribe where The Authority has worked closely with Eastern Kuku Yalanji Traditional Owners Tourism Australia and Parks Australia may live on and develop their country. in the last year to establish the Wet Community Development Areas Activity Tropics region as one of Australia’s Guidelines set out how various activities National Landscapes. The Authority must be undertaken to ensure that is currently chair of the Wet Tropics

36 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

National Landscapes Committee and region. The Authority is continuing to has led regional efforts to get the best support guides by offering professional value from the region’s participation in guide schools to strengthen guide the program. The Authority collaborated standards and networking. with regional tourism bodies, regional councils and local operators to help Digital communication develop, diversify, market and present and presentation a range of quality nature based tourism The Authority is collaborating with experiences in the Wet Tropics region. regional councils and the network of visitor information centres around the National World Heritage Gateway Wet Tropics to develop and provide In 2011-12 the Authority engaged a visitor resources about the outstanding consultant to support the process of experiences available in the Wet undertaking a prefeasibility report for Tropics region. This includes guides to an Australian World Heritage Gateway. waterfalls and swimming holes, day The final report and prospectus provides walks, camping, climbing, mountain solid arguments for the continuing bike and horse riding opportunities, support for the project. If established, and cultural experiences. During the it has the potential to provide a central last year the Authority successfully point that celebrates the significant piloted a Wet Tropics touch screen that World Heritage values of the region, showcases values and experiences of inspiring, engaging and educating the Area. Further development of the visitors about the significant natural touch screen technology is expected and cultural wonders that surround to occur in the coming year and rolled them. It has the potential to be a out to a number of Visitor Information globally significant attraction for the Centres around the Area. region and Australia. Wet Tropics Tourism Network and Wet Tropics tour guide training stakeholder liaison The Authority has made a strong The Authority has broadened its contribution to the tourism industry tourism network to include those from through developing an on-line training the industry the Authority can work scheme for Wet Tropics tour guides. in partnership with on a wider range The Queensland Industry Tourism of projects. The Wet Tropics Tourism Council, with funding support from the Network membership provides the Queensland Government, partnered the Authority with intelligence and insight Authority to train tour guides based in into current issues around access to the Wet Tropics. Over 65 tour guides protected areas for tourism purposes have completed the training using the and the need to strengthen the quality on-line training package. The course and range of tourism products in helps raise the bar of professional the region. standards in guiding in the Wet Tropics

37 Surprise Creek ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Business Management Program

• Corporate development • Business administration

38 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

This Program principally supports the • International Union for the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (the Authority) strategic plan goal, which and Parks Forum to enable is that the Authority demonstrates engagement in national and excellence in corporate governance and international conservation management. This is delivered by management networks improvement of the Authority’s • The Australian Committee for IUCN, contribution to investors, stakeholders which supports the implementation and the community by continued of the IUCN global program through development of the Authority’s capabil- information sharing between ity, effectiveness and accountability. Australian members and where There are two projects within this appropriate, representing program, Corporate Development and the collective view of Australian Business Administration. members to the IUCN council and executive Corporate Development • Terrain NRM which has worked The Corporate Development project with the Authority in Indigenous aims to ensure the Authority maintains partnerships projects, joint and develops its own capacity and development of funding applications continues to adapt to the changing and in community engagement needs of the Australian and • The National Environment Research Queensland Governments and the Program (NERP) and the Reef and Wet Tropics community. Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC), which administers rainforest Wet Tropics Ministerial Council research in the region The 22nd Wet Tropics Ministerial Council • The Commonwealth Department met in Brisbane on 12 August 2012. of Sustainability, Environment, Water, At the meeting, the Council approved Population and Communities the draft Wet Tropics Amendment Plan (SEWPaC), in addition to its heritage and approved amendments to the Wet policy roles in support of the Tropics Intergovernmental Agreement Authority, coordinates the to provide for abolition of the assessment and issue of permits Ministerial Council. under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Partnerships with the work of the Authority The Authority regards partnerships • Tourism Queensland which, along with other agencies with roles in with Tropical Tourism North environmental management as central Queensland, the Queensland to its success in managing the Wet Tourism Industry Council, the Tropics World Heritage Area. Commonwealth Department of Of particular importance is the Resources Energy and Tourism Authority’s relationship with the and many regional tourism Department of National Parks, businesses, assists the Authority Recreation, Sports and Racing primarily in ensuring the World Heritage Area through the Queensland Parks and is appropriately presented to visitors. Wildlife Service (QPWS). The Authority manages its formal relationship with The Authority understands the QPWS through an annual agreement. importance of coordinating its work The format for the agreement with other State and Commonwealth emphasises the mutually supportive agencies to facilitate efficient and partnership of the two organisations. effective service delivery to the Wet Other important partnerships for the Tropics community. The Authority’s Authority include those with: active participation in the Far North

39 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Queensland Regional Manager’s outcomes. It identifies a series of Coordination Network is an important projects either underway or regarded as means of achieving this. a good idea. The Authority’s submission expressed the view that while New investments and connectivity is very important, it is also funding proposals important not to lose sight of the need to The Authority continued to seek new maintain investment in the conservation funding into projects that contribute to of high value landscapes like the Wet its strategic goals. It was successful Tropics. in obtaining a $30,000 grant from the former Department of Employment, Australian Heritage Strategy Economic Development and Innovation The Authority made a submission to the to undertake a World Heritage Gateway Australian Heritage Strategy discussion prefeasibility study. Other significant paper. http://www.environment.gov.au/ proposals included: heritage/strategy/index.html. The Authority expressed the view that • $10M from the Commonwealth once a place is listed, an adequate Government Clean Energy Future system of management must be (Biodiversity Fund) for rehabilitating implemented and the listing entity must parts of ten major corridors accept responsibility for ensuring that connecting separate sections this is in place and well supported. of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. While the bid was unsuccessful Australia’s Biodiversity in a changing in this instance, several components climate of the project proposal were The Authority made a submission to the funded via a number of local House of Representatives Inquiry into Landcare organisations. Australia’s Biodiversity in a Changing • $170,000 from the Commonwealth Climate. The submission references Government’s Caring for Our the 2007-08 State of the Wet Tropics Country program for ‘Sustainable Report on climate change and draws Grazing Practices for Eastern Kuku attention to the particular vulnerability Yalanji people’ to introduce practical, of wet tropics biodiversity to climate sustainable low-cost grazing change and, consistent with the State of practices, including watering points Wet Tropics report, advocates four main and fencing of riparian vegetation, areas for action. The submission also primarily on Harlow’s 10 mile encourages the Inquiry to capitalise on property the foundations of research into climate change in the Wet Tropics to use it as Development of each of the proposals one of the case studies they propose to strengthened partnerships, but undertake. unfortunately, neither was supported. International Links Submissions The Authority remains interested in National Wildlife Corridors Plan developing its role in support of heritage The Authority made an extensive managers in the Asia Pacific region submission to the draft National and internationally. This objective Corridors Plan www.environment.gov. is consistent with intentions of the au/biodiversity/wildlife-corridors/index. World Heritage Convention and aligns html to recommend the inclusion of the well with the Authority’s knowledge Wet Tropics as a national priority. This brokering and communication agenda. draft plan promotes the importance of large-scale connectivity projects Representatives from the Solomon as a means of ensuring biodiversity Islands (East Rennell World Heritage

40 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Area), Papua New Guinea (Kuk Early BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Agricultural Site World Heritage Area), Business planning systems Vanuatu (Chief Roi Mata’s Domain The Authority gives a high priority World Heritage Area) and Kiribati to developing a business plan in to (Pheonix Island Protected Area World ensure it creates the highest possible Heritage Area) took part in an intensive value for the Wet Tropics community capacity building workshop in Cairns and stakeholders. The Authority is hosted by the Authority in collaboration committed to developing and adapting with the Commonwealth Department its own capabilities to ensure it of Sustainability, Environment, Water, maintains capacity to meet the needs Population and Communities. of the Australian and Queensland Governments and the Wet Tropics This intensive training was designed to community. The Authority’s project assist Pacific Island countries with the management approach encourages completion of their Periodic Reports to clear identification of outcomes, the World Heritage Centre while also objectives and milestones. It requires providing an opportunity and a venue to purposeful allocation of staff and bring our neighbouring World Heritage other resources to organisational Area managers together, strengthening priorities and establishes a regional relationships. The training was clear basis for organisational delivered as part of the “Strengthening performance management. World Heritage Governance in PNG and the Solomon Islands” project under Funding the AusAID Pacific Public Sector As the Authority is a Statutory Authority, Linkages Program. its general-purpose financial statements details for 2011-2012 are incorporated A delegation of 20 Chinese officials in the overall Department of from the Guangdong Nature Reserve Environment and Resource Management Management met with Authority staff financial statements. Total funding in November 2011 to discuss tourism of $4.9 million for 2011-2012 was and community partnerships and provided to the Authority, principally to learn about the Authority’s roles by the Australian and Queensland and responsibilities in management Governments, and supplemented by arrangements governing the Area. other forms of income. The Authority realised an operating surplus of The Authority hosted a group of South $221,000. A summary of the Authority’s American visitors in February 2012 operating statement for 2011-2012 is visiting under the AusAID Australian provided in Table 1. Leadership Awards Fellowship programme through QUT International The Australian Government’s base Projects in Brisbane. Their interests allocation to the Authority for 2011- were largely in the field of social policy, 2012 was $3 million. These funds and they were particularly interested in were allocated among the Authority’s engagement with Traditional Owners. programs. The Queensland Government contributed $1.7 million to the The Authority has continued to Authority. Under the annual Partnership engage in national and international Agreement with Queensland Parks and conservation management networks, in Wildlife Services, these funds were then particular through membership of the transferred to Queensland Parks and IUCN and Parks Forum. Wildlife Service for on-ground World Heritage management services.

41 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Audits Workplace health and safety One operational audit was conducted We adhere to the Queensland by PGL Financial Services Pty Ltd in Government’s health and safety 2011-2012 for Commonwealth management systems and procedures. Funds received. The Authority recorded no accidents for 2011-2012. Regular workplace health Staffing and contractors and safety inspections are conducted At 30 June 2012 the approved staff with no significant issues arising. establishment of the Authority totalled Authority staff attend regular education, 28 permanent positions, seven of which awareness and training sessions to were vacant. ensure current accreditations are maintained. Contract staff supplemented staff resources during the year to Equal Employment Opportunity provide a range of services. These All recruitment and selection services included marketing and recommendations are monitored and communications, graphic designers, reviewed to ensure compliance with financial and workforce management; Queensland Government policies and conservation and tourism activities and procedures including current human administrative support. Table 2 shows resources directives. All appointments expenditure on consultancies and during 2011-2012 complied with contracts for 2011-2012 compared to directives and no equal employment the previous financial year. opportunity complaints were received. At 30 June 2012 the Authority had 12 females and nine males on staff and six positions vacant. Table 3 gives a profile of the Authority’s staff.

42 Clohesy River, Atherton ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

TABLE 1: Wet Tropics Management Authority Operating Statement

Controlled Revenue and Expenses Notes 2011-2012 2010-2011

REVENUE $’000 $’000

Revenue from Government Payment for Outputs 1,946 2,141 Assets Assumed/Liabilities transferred 0 0 Sub-total Government Revenue 1,946 2,141

Own Source Revenue User Charges 2 16 Grants and Other Contributions 3,001 2,831 Taxes, Fees and Fines Gain on disposal of fixed assets Other Revenue 5 7 Interest Sub-total Government Revenue 3,008 2,854

TOTAL REVENUE 4,954 4,995

EXPENSES $’000 $’000

Operating Expenses Program WBA Business Management 831 1,049 WBB Communities & Partnerships 960 1,195 WBC Planning & Conservation 1,162 877 WBD QPWS - WTMA Partnership Agreement 1,774 1,666 Sub-total Operating Expenses 4,727 4,787

Non-Operating Expenses Depreciation 6 6 Asset Writedowns/Loss on disposal

Sub-total Non-Operating Expenses 6 6

TOTAL EXPENSES 4,733 4,793 -45 OPERATING RESULT 221 202

43 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

TABLE 2: Expenditure on Contracts

2011-2012 2010-2011 Expenditure $ $ Consultancies by Category*

Management 0 0

TOTAL 0 0

Contract Staff by Program*

Business Management 12,608 2,745

Communities & Partnerships 33,528 26,745

Planning & Conservation 62,968 23,484

TOTAL 109,104 52,974

* Excludes QPWS expenses incurred against the Service Agreement.

TABLE 3: Employment by gender, occupational stream and salary

Employment by gender and occupational stream as at 30 June 2012 (based on actual occupants)

Stream Female (%) Male (%)

Administration and Senior Executive Service 11 (55) 5 (25) Professional 2 (10) 3 (15) Technical 0 1 (5) Operational 0 0

Total 13 (65) 9 (45)

Employment by gender and salary level as at 30 June 2012 (based on substantive positions)

Salary Range Female (%) Male (%)

$107,869 + 1 (5) $101,610 - $107,467 2 (10) $91,712 - $98,341 2 (10) $81,962 - $87,691 1 (5) 3 (15) $71,435 - $77,644 6 (30) 1 (5) $61,641 - $68,991 4 (20) $52,132 - $59,293 2 (10)

Total 13 (65) 9 (45)

44 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

45 Roaring Meg Creek ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

Terms and Abbreviations

46 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

AWHIN Australian World Heritage Indigenous Network CAFNEC Cairns and Far North Environment Centre CCC Community Consultative Committee CCRC Cassowary Coast Regional Council CFOC Caring for our Country CVA Conservation Volunteers Australia CDP Community Development Plan Commonwealth Act Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Conservation Act 1994 CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific, Industry and Research Organisation CSLG Conservation Sector Liaison Group CTBCC Centre for Topical Biology and Climate Change DERM Department of Environment and Resource Management DOGIT Deed of Grant in Trust DRET Department of Resources Energy and Tourism EKY Eastern Kuku Yalanji EPBC Act Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 FNQ Far North Queensland FNQROC Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils GPS Global positioning system ILUA Indigenous Land Use Agreement IPA Indigenous Protected Area IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature Jabalbina Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation JCU James Cook University JYAC Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation MTSRF Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility MYAC Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation NERP National Environment Research Program NGO Non-government organisation NiE News in Education NRM Natural Resource Management OUV outstanding universal value PNG Papua New Guinea QLD Queensland QPWS Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service Queensland Act Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 QUT Queensland University of Technology RAPA Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Alliance RRRC Reef and Rainforest Research Centre

47 ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012

SAC Scientific Advisory Committee SEWPaC Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities SPA Sustainable Planning Act 1999 Terrain NRM Terrain Natural Resource Management T.C. Yasi Tropical Cyclone Yasi The Area Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area The Authority Wet Tropics Management Authority The Plan Wet Tropics Management Plan 1998 TERN Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network TKMG Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group TRC Tablelands Regional Council TREAT Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation UNU United Nations University WHA World Heritage Area

48 Baby crocodile ANNUAL REPORT 2011 – 2012 Each year the Wet Tropics Management Authority is required to prepare a report on the state of the Area, as required under section 63(1) of the Queensland Act and section 10 of the Commonwealth Act. This report fulfills that requirement. The Authority acknowledges the contribution of Dr Lea Scherl to the preparation of this report.

STATE OF THE WET TROPICS 2011–2012 The Function of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area in the Life of the Community

49 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

Executive Summary

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World communication with stakeholders use Heritage Area is a region of spectacular a variety of means, including electronic scenery containing the richest variety and social media to support their efforts. of animals and plants in the country. The World Heritage Area’s magnificent Indigenous peoples environment is a source of pride to The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area the local and regional community. It is is culturally rich, comprising the also valued by the wider regional North traditional lands of 18 Rainforest Queensland community and recognised Aboriginal groups. Since the World and supported broadly in Australia Heritage listing, regional Rainforest and elsewhere. Aboriginal representative arrangements have evolved through Indigenous Article 5 of the Convention for the organisations and committees attached Protection of the World Cultural and to management agencies and natural Natural Heritage (the World Heritage resource management organisations Convention) calls upon each State Party into an independent regional alliance. to the Convention to ‘adopt a general During this evolution the Wet Tropics policy which aims to give the cultural Regional Agreement represented a and natural heritage a function in the considerable effort and a landmark in life of the community and to integrate fostering collaboration for Indigenous the protection of that heritage into peoples’ effective participation and self- comprehensive planning programs’. determination in the Wet Tropics region. There is also widespread support The World Heritage Area’s function in for other forms of engagement with the life of the community manifests Indigenous peoples through negotiated itself in many interconnected Indigenous Land Use Agreements dimensions. This report examines how and the creation of Indigenous the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Protected Areas. Heritage Area has a function in the life of the community. Governance Concerted efforts towards collaborative Involvement, collaboration and management are a feature of the Wet participation Tropics World Heritage Area. As a Communities and stakeholders multi-tenured protected area which With more than 2500 individual includes private landholders and blocks of land neighbouring the different government-held tenures, its World Heritage Area’s 3000 kilometre governance necessitates complex and boundary, the active involvement of vibrant community partnerships which neighbours and landholders is crucial build on and provide social capital for to the management of the Area. the Wet Tropics region. Community Wider representation for community based planning and management engagement comes through a number processes in the region complement of committees attached to management the protection and management agencies and natural resource regime established under State and management organisations. Locally- Commonwealth legislation. based community groups are also active participants in the Area’s conservation and land care. Vital programs of

50 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

Human and community of Wet Tropics themed teaching in well-being and environmental schools. Academic institutions such values and services as the James Cook University have There is strong recognition of the quality a strong focus on teaching tropical of life benefits derived by the community ecology, natural resource management, from the World Heritage Area. However, sustainable development, ecotourism the nature and strength of the links and conservation sciences. Staff from between environmental values agencies and organisations in the and services from the Wet Tropics region also plays a significant role in World Heritage Area and human and transferring knowledge about the Area community well-being are incompletely and World Heritage management to understood. Clean air, good water many different learning contexts in the quality, water supply from the forest region. in the dry season, the aesthetic beauty of the surrounding green mountains Tourism to cities and towns throughout the The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is region are all part of these services. one of the premier tourism attractions Opportunities for walking, camping and in Australia. The tourism industry other recreational activities also provide plays an important role in connecting an important connection between the communities and economies. It is a key World Heritage Area and the community. regional partner in delivering better Each of these examples contribute understanding of World Heritage values to human and community well-being through interpretation and presentation. benefits related to health, greater Aiding in such delivery is the region’s social cooperation, spiritual customary first online training program for tour practices and income generation. guides, raising the bar for World Heritage tourism in North Queensland. The Wet Research, education and Tropics is one of Australia’s National knowledge application Landscapes, providing the opportunity Research to reach a global audience and The Wet Tropics region has benefited strengthening regional collaborations from a succession of Commonwealth within the tourism industry. investments in support of regionally- based integrated research programs. Shaping the future The inter-disciplinary nature of research Opportunities for further enhancing has been greatly influenced by the the function of the Wet Tropics existence of the Wet Tropics World World Heritage Area in the life of the Heritage Area and active management community include: agencies needing information for management. The value of the World • Supporting collaborative governance Heritage Area as a living laboratory has for conservation and management of been outstanding, demonstrated by the the World Heritage Area through output of publications and transfer of strong leadership and dialogue knowledge to management in the region across levels and elsewhere. • Promoting and fine-tuning involvement and participation of a Education wide range of stakeholders Schools and academic institutions through multi-stakeholder forums, benefit greatly from being in the Wet ongoing identification of Tropics World Heritage Area. Many interest groups, and innovative school field trips take place in the ideas to celebrate involvement Area. Educational materials have been and communicate amongst and developed to assist in the delivery with stakeholders

51 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

• Supporting Indigenous people’s • Improving standards for tourism aspirations and contributions and interpretation through tour to the Wet Tropics World Heritage guide training, partnerships with Area through strengthening the tourism industry, support for of Rainforest Aboriginal peoples’ visitor centres and innovative representative bodies, bolstering tourist information services capacity to participate in and upgrading infrastructure, access management and the development of and facilities supporting tourism co-management arrangements in the World Heritage Area within the World Heritage Area • Promoting understanding of the links • Fostering applied research between environmental services and promoting knowledge transfer and values and human and through innovative approaches within community well-being with clear a learning landscape approach communication about such links to that transfers knowledge into the wider community, further application, more research in the research, and exploring options for social, economic and cultural areas, payment for environmental services. and diversity in training approaches

52 Frill-necked lizard STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

Introduction

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World the listing 5. Residents view the Area Heritage Area (the World Heritage Area as an integral part of their landscape, or the Area) is a region of spectacular lifestyle and community, and feel a scenery and rugged topography with strong sense of collective ownership fast-flowing rivers, deep gorges and and responsibility 6, 7. The Area is numerous waterfalls. Mountain summits also valued by the broader regional provide expansive vistas of the oldest North Queensland community and its surviving rainforest in the world. The outstanding universal value is widely exceptional coastal scenery combines recognised and supported in the tropical rainforest, white sandy beaches Australian community and elsewhere. and fringing reefs just offshore; a unique feature on a global scale 1. The Area Prior to World Heritage listing in 1988, contains the richest variety of animals the rainforests of the Wet Tropics and plants in the country, including two- region were extensively harvested for thirds of the butterfly species, half of the timber. Listing led to an outright ban birds and a third of the mammals 2. on commercial logging in the Area. The conversion of Wet Tropics lands The World Heritage Area covers nearly to national parks also led to some 900,000 hectares from Townsville to restrictions in usage. These actions Cooktown in North Queensland. polarised the community. A substantial A visitor survey in 2002 estimated structural adjustment package was about 4.4 million visits per year to provided to compensate businesses and recognised Wet Tropics World Heritage individuals and to develop alternative Area sites 3. It is predicted that some industries, in particular, tourism. 270,000 people will live within the Wet Tropics region by 2016. In the broader region, the estimated resident population is forecast to exceed 700,000 by 2031 4. The controversial listing of the Wet Tropics in 1988 The Area provides opportunities to be close to nature. Many people use it for was a tumultuous period recreational activities, enjoying the in north Queensland’s fresh air and clean water, as well as the ambience of surrounding green hills and history… the conflicts of proximity to waterfalls and rivers. For others, it is their livelihood, providing the time frayed the edges opportunities to conduct research, and of the local social fabric. to promote, manage and implement 8 tourism activities. Nigel Tucker, From the Heart, 2009.

There is strong community awareness of the World Heritage Area and support for its protection - 62% of surveyed Despite the challenging start, it is well respondents ‘strongly’ support the recognised now that many other values World Heritage listing while almost all have come to the community from its of the respondents (92%) support the protection and management. More than general level of protection afforded by 20 years later, the World Heritage Area

53 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 is totally entrenched in the communities 12,123); potential partnerships of this region. Community support for its (paragraph 40); human activities, listing has grown from 50% in 1996 to including those of traditional societies over 80% in 2007 9, 10. Being a resident and local communities, often in natural of the Wet Tropics region brings pride areas (paragraph 90); and development to communities and individuals and of educational materials, activities and promotes an overarching sense of place, programmes (paragraph 219). social identity and cohesion. The existing guidelines for preparing There are numerous reasons to World Heritage nominations is silent celebrate the outstanding universal in addressing the function in the life of value of the Wet Tropics World Heritage the communities 13. A review by the Area and what has been achieved for International Union for Conservation its conservation and for its role in the of Nature (IUCN) on World Heritage community. Lessons learned here have and Evaluation Processes related to informed the management of other Communities and Rights recognises that World Heritage Areas in Australia World Heritage nomination guidance and elsewhere. Management of the is yet to fully address the importance Area is a dynamic process where attached to community concerns and emerging threats, such as increased rights in a comprehensive manner 14. pressure for access to the Area for multiple and sometimes conflicting Further, there is also no global guidance uses also provides opportunities for the or framework to measure the obligation development of strong partnerships. related to providing a function in the life of the community and how it is being The World Heritage Convention obliges implemented through the management State Parties to the Convention to of any particular Area. This is left largely identify, protect, conserve, rehabilitate, to the discretion of each property. present and transmit to future generations, the natural and cultural The need for more generally accepted heritage of the World Heritage frameworks for social assessment of properties within its territory (Article conservation management has more 4). The Convention also obliges State recently been discussed through Parties to, ‘adopt general policies which international initiatives and can provide [aim] to give the cultural and natural some insights 15. heritage a function in the life of the community and to integrate the protection In addition to its primary purpose of that heritage into comprehensive of reporting to the Queensland and planning programs’ (Article 5 (a)) 11. Australian Parliaments, this report is a contribution to the need for more The Operational Guidelines developed systematic social assessment of by the World Heritage Committee for the activities related to conservation and implementation of the Convention do not management of World Heritage Areas. provide specific guidance on the function of a World Heritage Area in the life of The broad dimensions related to the the community 12. There are a number function of the World Heritage Area in of paragraphs that do refer, in general the life of the community incorporates a terms, to aspects of such a function, number of themes and dimension which and why addressing this is important. are inter-connected and can influence In their entirety, these paragraphs each other. Together they represent a include reference to participation of a range of social, economic and cultural wide variety of stakeholders including aspects related to the Area. local and Indigenous people (paragraph They include:

54 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY VALUES AND WELLBEING GOVERNANCE: SERVICES • LEGISLATION • POLICIES • STRATEGIES • COORDINATION

INVOLVEMENT, PARTICIPATION COLLABORATION: • STAKEHOLDERS TOURISM • INDIGENOUS PEOPLES RESEARCH, AND EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE INTERPRETATION APPLICATION

FIGURE 1: The Function of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in the Life of the Community

• involvement, participation and • tourism and interpretation collaboration of, and with, • environmental values and services. stakeholders. This is an overarching term to represent all sectors related A description and analysis of to government, non-government, each of these dimensions leads industry, community groups, to understanding current needs research and academic institutions, for improvement in management, and from all levels (local, collaboration, communication, research, sub-regional, regional, national and education, and industry practices. international) that have a direct This will contribute towards ensuring interest in the World Heritage Area that the overall function of the Area • the governance context expressed in the life of the community can in terms of legislative frameworks, accommodate new social, cultural policies, strategies and coordination and economic trends and policy mechanisms for planning requirements. Community is interpreted and management across agencies, in its broader sense, meaning not only organisations and groups the people that live in and around • involvement, participation and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, collaboration of, and with, Rainforest but also people and communities of Aboriginal people as custodians interest living throughout Australia and • contributions to human well-being the world who have an interest in the • research, education and knowledge protection and management of application the Area 16.

55 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

Involvement, Collaboration and Participation

• Engagement processes • Key stakeholders and organisations • Indigenous peoples

Engagement processes development of a nature-based tourism A wide range of community groups, strategy and a walking track strategy. non-government organisations and Another model for engagement on the scientists in this region provided part of the Authority is reflected in the inspiration and drive for the sector-specific liaison groups such as World Heritage listing. Since then, the Conservation Sector Liaison Group management approaches adopted for and the Wet Tropics Tourism Network. the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area have been very successful in recruiting Key stakeholders and people from different sectors of the organisations community, through formal and Many other stakeholders and informal processes 17. organisations from different sectors play a fundamental role in support of The Wet Tropics Management Authority the management of the World Heritage now plays an important regional Area. Some of these are discussed leadership role, managing the World below. Heritage Area on behalf of the world community as well as on behalf of the The Queensland Parks and Australian community and local people Wildlife Service who are very much part of the Area. In As much of the World Heritage Area this sense the Wet Tropics community comprises National Parks and other must be regarded as including the local protected area tenures managed under and regional community, Rainforest Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act Aboriginal people, the wider community 1992. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife (domestic and international visitors) as Service (QPWS) play an important well as management agencies, local role in the Area’s management. Its government, landholders, industry and staff conduct practical on-the-ground the research community. management in partnership with many groups in the region, contributing Engagement of Wet Tropics communities in areas such as pest management; is a central goal of the management environmental recovery after natural regime for the Wet Tropics World disasters; facilitating and implementing Heritage Area reflected in The Wet NRM plans (fire, pest and cyclones) Tropics Management Authority 2008-13 facilitating workshops; developing Strategic Plan 18. The current review of working groups to address specific the statutory Wet Tropics Management management issues for threatened Plan 1998 has involved three rounds species and communities, as well as of formal consultation and extensive issues of interest for local community liaison with stakeholder groups to and recreational park uses such as ensure the amended plan will reflect mountain biking and horse riding. community interests and aspirations. A similar community engagement QPWS also support local community philosophy was used during the groups such as the Tablelands National

56 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012

Photo courtesy QPWS

Cassowary feeding stations Feed stations are supplied with fruit More than 12 months have passed since approximately every three days, and Cyclone Yasi damaged large areas of amounts are varied to ensure the birds cassowary habitat between Cardwell keep up their natural foraging. As of July and Innisfail and at Mission Beach on 2 2012, QPWS had 28 active feed stations and 3 February 2011. from the Cardwell Range north to Flying Fish Point. At the peak of the program The forest is showing significant 105 were operating. signs of recovery. Trees now contain significant re-growth, and flowering More than 170,950 kg of fruit has been and fruit development continue to distributed, averaging almost 3000kg increase, highlighting the resilience of per week. In the early phase of the these forests. However, due to damage program, retailers Coles, Woolworths to the forest caused by the cyclone, the and Bi-Lo donated fruit. Volunteers supply of rainforest fruits is still at a low have now given more than 5,455 level. To supplement the cassowaries’ hours to cut up the fruit. In addition diet during this low food period without to the volunteers’ efforts, 55 private making them dependent on handouts, landholders have feeding stations feeding stations were deployed in the on their properties, with permission area but are now progressively being from QPWS. Residents are reporting reduced where natural fruit levels are cassowary sightings so birds can be adequate. better managed in the wild and so QPWS can alert motorists.

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Parks Volunteers to work with park staff groups, which have traditionally involved on pest management initiatives, flora many neighbours and landholders, and fauna surveys and weed control. are a strong part of the community landscape. They support conservation Neighbours and landholders in the region through their voluntary Many of the threats to World Heritage efforts and initiatives, in partnership values can occur along the extensive with government agencies and boundary of the Area. There are NRM organisations. more than 2500 individual blocks of land neighbouring the Area’s 3000 Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton kilometre boundary and many more Tablelands (TREAT) was established in in the catchment areas. Neighbouring 1982 as a partnership between private land is managed for a numerous landholders and QPWS 24. Initially purposes including conservation, timber TREAT also had an aim of training ex- production, grazing, sugar cane and timber workers for revegetation work other agriculture, beekeeping, tourism so they could then be employed by local and private residences. Inside the World councils to revegetate degraded lands. Heritage Area there are also about 200 Over the past thirty years it has grown freehold blocks or parts thereof (two from a small group of volunteers to a percent of the Area) and over 100 leases regionally important community group (10 percent of the Area). Most of these comprising over 460 families and 900 are grazing leases. individual members.

The assistance of landholders and The Lower Peterson Creek Revegetation neighbours is vital for the retention Project group, formed in 1998, is and rehabilitation of habitat and wildlife another example of community initiative corridors, fire management, weed and in the region. The revegetation of feral animal control, and care of water this creek contributes immensely quality and flows. Neighbours and to recreational opportunities for landholders are special stake- locals, and to enhancing the quality of holders in the management of the visitor experiences, with a number of Area and have cooperated with the commercial tour operator incorporating Authority and other organisations to a visit to the site as part of their develop toolkits for best practice on presentation package for visitors. private properties 19, 20, 21. Landholder Many other broadly similar community engagement also provides insights into catchment management groups the key social and economic issues play an important role in connecting which affect their decision-making in communities with the World Heritage regard to adoption of natural resource Area and through this developing management practices 22, 23. community capacity.

Land Care and community Local council and infrastructure revegetation groups agencies Community support for World Heritage In collaboration with local government values is a stimulus for community and (water, roads and power line) action in the wider landscape. For infrastructure agencies, the Wet Tropics example, Terrain NRM works in Management Authority and QPWS have collaboration with a number of Wet worked on innovative approaches for Tropics Land Care and community the design and construction of essential revegetation groups. In doing so, it plays community infrastructure for access a role in transmitting the outstanding and enjoyment of the World Heritage universal value of the World Heritage Area while minimising impacts on the Area. Land Care and revegetation environment. This work has led to the

58 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 establishment of codes of practice Area that supports its management for the water industry, road and and educates the public about the vegetation maintenance and outstanding value of this region. It is electricity supply 25, 26, 27. evident that the UNESCO World Heritage Area Operational Guidelines paragraph Communication with and 12 which specifically encourages State across stakeholders Parties to ‘Ensure the participation of a The Wet Tropics Management Authority wide variety of stakeholders, including and other partner organisations site managers, local and regional involved in the World Heritage Area governments, local communities, use a variety of media to communicate non-governmental organizations and with stakeholders. Most agencies and other interested parties and partners organisations in the region maintain in the identification, nomination and websites or distribute newsletters protection of World Heritage properties’ aimed at informing stakeholders is already well implemented 29. of current topical issues and There is a very high level of support for developments. Some examples include the World Heritage status of the Wet the Cassowary Coast Regional Council Tropics 30. As new threats emerge and Cyclone Yasi recovery newsletter and financial pressures limit management Terrain’s member e-newsletter. The resources, such community support is Wet Tropics Management Authority also increasingly needed. distributes a quarterly e-newsletter relating specifically to the World Heritage Area. Several agencies involved in World Heritage management are beginning to use social networking sites such as Facebook® as a way of Over the past 20 years connecting with the community. I have seen the World Special recognition of Heritage listing raising community commitment Active community stewardship of the wider community’s the World Heritage Area deserves to appreciation of our be recognised and celebrated. The Wet Tropics Management Authority country to that which it Cassowary Awards, for example, deserves. The listing recognise the vital importance of community support for management seemed to formalise of the Area. On the 20th anniversary what we, as Traditional of inscription on the World Heritage List, the Authority also recognised the Owners, already felt central role of the community in the toward the land and we conservation and management of the Area through publication of From the are now working hard to Heart, a collection of personal stories have our land formally about the Area from all parts of the regional community 28. recognised for its

Summary observations cultural values. The involvement of a wide range of 31 Phil Rist, From the Heart, 2009. stakeholder groups is enriching and complex. It creates a tremendous social capital in the Wet Tropics World Heritage

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Best-practice manual for road initiatives they have developed as construction and maintenance routine components of their operations A range of agencies are responsible for inside the World Heritage Area. Several operating and maintaining community of these initiatives, such as the Wet infrastructure in the Area including Tropics Road Maintenance Codes of QRail, QPWS, Telstra, Ergon Energy and Practice are now being adopted in other Powerlink. These agencies have become parts of Queensland and Interstate. world leaders in the conservation

Indigenous peoples Both the Wet Tropics World Heritage Broader context Protection and Management Act 1993 In addition to its natural values, the Wet (the Act) and the Wet Tropics Tropics World Heritage Area is culturally Management Plan 1998 refer to rich, comprising the traditional lands of Traditional Owners of the Area. For 18 Rainforest Aboriginal groups. example, section 10(5) of the Act Although the World Heritage Area requires that the management authority is not formally listed for its cultural must ‘have regard to the Aboriginal values, there is widespread recognition tradition of the Aboriginal people that Rainforest Aboriginal people particularly concerned with the land’, have played a very significant role in and that it must ‘liaise, and cooperate shaping the landscape to its current with Aboriginal people’. The Wet natural significance, and maintaining Tropics Management Plan 1998 supports the outstanding value of the Wet Tropics native title negotiation processes and region for many generations. provides for management agreements

60 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 with Aboriginal interests under Part 3 development of strategic plans ensures Division 5 ‘Negotiations and variation that Rainforest Aboriginal people have of controls under agreements’. The a direct voice in managing their particular rights of native title holders traditional lands. in the World Heritage Area are also recognised in several sections of Other agencies and organisations like the Management Plan, and specific QPWS and Terrain NRM also recognise guidelines have been developed for the importance of positive and effective consulting Aboriginal people engagement with Rainforest Aboriginal particularly concerned with land people. Terrain’s People and Country in the Wet Tropics Area. programs assist the regions Traditional Owners to realise their aspirations The Wet Tropics Management for land and sea management. QPWS Authority engages Traditional Owners has a number of activities to provide in the presentation, protection and support for management of country management of the World Heritage Area. in the region. Such involvement and Two positions on the Authority’s Board participation at a regional level has are reserved for Aboriginal persons. been achieved particularly through Their inclusion on the Authority’s representative arrangements whose advisory committees and in the evolution is summarised in Table 1.

TABLE 1: Summary timeline of Rainforest Aboriginal peoples’ Representative Arrangements in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

Pre European Aboriginal people occupied, managed and enjoyed land in the Area prior to the arrival of Settlement Europeans.

Early 1870s Colonisation and dispossession of Aboriginal traditional lands. Traditional lands reduced to to mid-1980s a few small Aboriginal reserves.

June 1988 Two Rainforest Aboriginal representatives directly voice concerns to the World Heritage Bureau regarding inclusion of their lands in a World Heritage Area without their consent. To allay international concern, the Australian Government advises the World Heritage Committee that there is absolutely no intent to restrict traditional activities on lands within the Area and that proposed management arrangements designed to ensure that Aboriginal communities play an important role in the management of the whole Area.

1988 The World Heritage Committee formally accepts the Commonwealth nomination for the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area to be officially inscribed on the World Heritage list (9 December 1988).

1992 The Rainforest Aboriginal Network is established as the first Rainforest Aboriginal representative entity.

1994/5 Bama Wabu replaces the Rainforest Aboriginal Network as representative organisation for Rainforest Aboriginal interests.

1996 Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, a regionally affiliated Traditional Owner driven community- based enabling organisation is incorporated under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1976.

1998 Wet Tropics Ministerial Council sponsor report Which Way Our Cultural Survival? Review Of Aboriginal Involvement in the Management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is published by the Review Steering Committee in 1998.

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TABLE 1 continued: Summary timeline of Rainforest Aboriginal peoples’ Representative Arrangements in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

2001-2004 An Interim Negotiating Forum conducts nine forums and several regional workshops to develop the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Regional Agreement

2004 The Aboriginal Rainforest Council is established and has representation from all 18 tribal groups.

2004 Terrain NRM establish its Traditional Owner Advisory Committee.

2005 In February 2005 the Wet Tropics Management Authority establishes the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

April 2005 On 29 April the Wet Tropics Regional Agreement is signed by 18 Rainforest Aboriginal tribal groups, the Australian Government, the Queensland Government and the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

2005 The Wet Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural Resource Management Plan (the Bama Plan) is launched by 19 Tribal Groups and Terrain NRM.

2006 The Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 is amended to allow for a second Aboriginal Board member.

2007 Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous Land Use Agreements are signed in April for much of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from Mossman north to the Bloomfield area followed by a Native Title consent determination in December.

2008 The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation is established as a Registered Native Title Body Corporate to look after the Native Title interests of Eastern Kuku Yalanji people following on from the Native Title determination over their traditional estates in 2007.

2010 Central Wet Tropics Institute for Country and Culture Aboriginal Corporation established under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 to work as a sub-regional strategic brokering organisation to support the capacity of voluntary Traditional Owner groups on the ground in implementing their aspirations for cultural and natural resource management.

2011 Wet Tropics Management Authority Board of Directors dissolves the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Committee based on a recommendation of the Rainforest Aboriginal Advisory Com- mittee to enable a focus on establishing a functional Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Alliance.

2011 Terrain NRM Traditional Owner Advisory Committee advised Terrain Board that it would disband as part of the transition process toward the establishment and recognition of the Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Alliance as a key engagement group for Traditional Owners in the Wet Tropics.

2012 Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Alliance develops a business plan and is now a non- incorporated alliance between the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Central Wet Tropics Institute and other Aboriginal community organisations. This Alliance has memberships of individuals, groups and organisations covering the Wet Tropics Area.

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A number of regional representative Tropics. While it is evident that some arrangements have evolved since the elements of the Regional Agreement listing of the Wet Tropics World Heritage and the Bama Plan have not been Area in response to shifts in Aboriginal implemented in the manner intended, community needs, cultural priorities, the significance of these documents as and capacity. In general, this has landmarks in better engaging Rainforest seen a move away from agencies and Aboriginal people in the management organisation-driven models to models of their traditional country should not of self-determination. be underestimated. Their direction and intent remain relevant and important to The Wet Tropics Regional Agreement Rainforest Aboriginal people. represents a landmark in fostering collaboration for Indigenous people’s The style of collaboration between effective participation in the Wet management agencies and Rainforest Tropics region 32. It provides an overall Aboriginal peoples requires constant framework for the involvement of fine-tuning. Rainforest Aboriginal Rainforest Aboriginal people in the peoples have also been taking the management of the Wet Tropics World steps to again become autonomous in Heritage Area with the Wet Tropics managing their interests in the World Management Authority, the state and Heritage Area through the creation of commonwealth governments and their own Indigenous institutions and the 18 Rainforest Aboriginal groups. initiatives for management of country. It recommends the objectives, principles, protocols and improved administrative Currently, a Rainforest Aboriginal arrangements for engaging Rainforest Peoples Alliance (RAPA) is establishing Aboriginal people in decision making as a regional leadership group and on-ground management. across Rainforest Aboriginal peoples Its significance was recognised by of the broader Wet Tropics region, the Queensland Premier in the 2005 actively supporting Traditional Owner Premier’s Awards for Excellence in networks. It is supported by many of Public Sector Management. the smaller community organisations within the Wet Tropics. The Wet Tropics Terrain NRM also sought to better Management Authority and Terrain involve Rainforest Aboriginal people NRM support RAPA in the development in on-ground management of the of its role, governance and operational region and the result was the Wet arrangements. Defining the nature of the Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural relationship between RAPA and Resource Management Plan (the Bama any non-Indigenous management Plan). It allowed Indigenous peoples agencies or organisations that may in to express their aspirations, needs future collaborate with RAPA is a work- and priorities with respect to natural in-progress. resource management in the region. It was the first of its kind in Australia, Other types of engagement with and now regarded as a useful frame- and support for Rainforest work for many NRM organisations Aboriginal people to follow 33. The settlement of Native Title claims made under the Native Title Act 1993 Each of these planning processes and associated Indigenous Land Use represented a substantial achievement Agreements are an important basis in building collaborations and for the engagement of Traditional achieving alignment between Owners in management of the World Rainforest Aboriginal people and other Heritage Area. organisations operating in the Wet

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Indigenous Land Use Agreements Yidinji, Wanyurr Majay (Yidinji), Dulabed (ILUAs) aim to appropriately balance and Malanbarra Yidinji and Gunggandji World Heritage values with the well- people have signed ILUAs with the Wet being of Rainforest Aboriginal people, Tropics Management Authority and the their cultural obligations to protect and State of Queensland in the recent past. manage lands, and their aspirations Other agreements are currently being for land use, community development negotiated under the auspices of the and socio-economic recovery. The Djiru, Native Title Tribunal. Eastern Kuku Yalanji, Mandingalbay

Moving back on Country Approximately 16,500 hectares was Eastern Kuku Yalanji Indigenous transferred in 2011 under the Aboriginal Land Use Agreement - A cooperative Land Act 1991 for Eastern Kuku Yalanji approach to land ownership, Traditional Owners to live on their use, management and country, manage it to conserve the community development land values and to develop sustainable The 2007 Indigenous Land Use economic opportunities from it to Agreement settled a range of land use improve their well-being. Most of issues and ensured the protection of this land is within the World Heritage environmentally and culturally sensitive Area and a Cooperative Management areas over 230,000 hectares in the Agreement under the Wet Tropics northern sector of the Wet Tropics World Management Plan 1998 provides for the Heritage Area. agreement of Community Development Plans and associated Activity Guidelines. The suite of 15 agreements establishes Native Title Holders have agreed to a cooperative approach to land exercise their native title rights and ownership, use and management and interests only in accordance with the community development. Cooperative Management Agreement.

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The Wet Tropics Management Authority relevance for engaging with Traditional in partnership with other management Owner groups across the Area. One agencies and local government important lesson is that equitable, have been supporting community effective and timely participation development plans to better empower of Traditional Owners in these Eastern Kuku Yalanji community to arrangements still depends on their manage their country within the Area. capabilities and capacities at any Lessons learned from this project have point in time.

Girringun Traditional Owners’ with a number of agencies and role in management of country groups working together. and natural disaster recovery The recovery efforts also brought Traditional Owners from Girringun in the Indigenous and non-indigenous Hinchinbrook Shire played an important communities closer in their role after Tropical Cyclone Yasi. understanding and respect for each other - a net social benefit at Getting to sites of cultural significance a community level that can be quite after the cyclone was very important enduring. In some instances, Indigenous to see what damage had occurred. peoples have been allowed to access Girringun Traditional Owners were their sacred sites within or bordering among the first to enter many affected private properties, which was not areas, taking stock of the damage and encouraged or permitted before. There suggesting measures towards the were also increased opportunities clean-up and recovery. This included for Indigenous people to be trained in cleaning up the country, fencing of conservation and land management in properties adjacent to the Wet Tropics the cyclone-affected region, with around World Heritage Area, and revegetation, 220 people receiving training.

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Governance (Legislation, Policies, Strategies and Communication)

• Legislation and institutional framework • Collaborative management

The listing of the Wet Tropics of The Environment Protection and Queensland as a World Heritage Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Area was a stimulus for establishing extends consideration of the potential new governance arrangements to impact of development beyond the manage the region and ensure that boundaries of the Wet Tropics World Australia’s obligations under the World Heritage Area to take into account any Heritage Convention are met. In this impact on World Heritage values. A context, governance includes the significant proportion of the World legislative and policy frameworks that Heritage Area comprises national establish the context and obligations parks and other protected area tenures for management; approaches and managed under Queensland’s Nature structures for participation of different Conservation Act 1992. This Act is the stakeholders and perspectives; framework for protected area and power relations and decision-making wildlife management in Queensland processes, relationships amongst and provides further complementary stakeholders, responsibility legislative protection for the Area. and accountability. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is Legislation and a multi-tenured protected area within institutional framework which there are private landholders The Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and different government-held tenures. and Management Act 1993 underpins Other critical planning processes the integrated conservation and in the region need to ensure that management of the World Heritage Area they complement the protection and and provides the legal framework for management regimes established the roles and responsibilities of the Wet under State and Commonwealth Tropics Management Authority. legislation. For example, regional statutory planning instruments, such as The Wet Tropics Management Authority the Far North Queensland Regional Plan is a regionally based statutory 2009-2031 34, explicitly recognises the authority which was established with values of the Wet Tropics World Heritage the objective of ensuring Australia’s Area and includes provisions that obligation under the World Heritage contribute to its protection Convention in relation to the Wet Tropics and conservation. World Heritage Area are met. Its Board of Directors and advisory groups Collaborative management are drawn largely from the regional Landscape and corridor management in community. The World Heritage Area the Wet Tropics region requires ongoing provides benefits and essential services effective cross-institutional coordination to the community and it is also intended, in dealing with multi-tenure and in a reciprocal way, that the community multiple uses. The Wet Tropics has an active role in caring for the Area. Conservation Strategy 35 developed

66 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 by the Authority in collaboration with Act 2009). All these agencies and numerous partners, promotes actions to organisations work closely with a wide achieve the conservation, rehabilitation range of community groups with the and transmission to future generations values of the World Heritage Area as an of the Wet Tropics World Heritage important driver of their collaboration. Area and the broader Wet Tropics bioregion. The Strategy seeks to align Collaborative management is a reality the efforts of numerous government in the Wet Tropics region. The complex and community organisations and governance system that is in place for is influential in priority setting and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area resource allocation. A broad range of is constantly evolving but it is already corridor priorities identified in the Wet fulfilling one important function in Tropics Conservation Strategy are now the life of the community in terms of reflected in the Terrain NRM Regional coordinating resources and building Plan 36 and the Far North Queensland social capital. It is facilitating, promoting Regional Plan 2009-2031 37 and are also and sustaining partnerships and reflected in local government planning collaborations across different types of schemes at a finer scale (under the stakeholders at different levels. Queensland Sustainable Planning

Making Connections Scientific modelling has shown that Kangaroo and Mammal Group (TKMG) improving connectivity in the cool, Malanda Landcare, Griffith University, high areas of the Southern Atherton the University of Queensland and the Wet Tablelands could help build the Tropics Management Authority. resilience of the region to climate change and provide a refuge for the With the assistance of the QPWS unique plants and animals of the in facilitating relationships with Wet Tropics that are sensitive to rising landholders and contractors, nearly temperatures. 19,000 trees of over 100 species have been planted and more than 120 The Making Connections project is a volunteers from the School for Field collaborative exercise involving multiple Studies and community groups like partners including Tablelands Regional TREAT and TKMG. To date, 6.5 hectares Council, Conservation Volunteers have been replanted, and over 2.5 Australia, Trees for Evelyn and kilometres of fencing has been erected. AthertonTablelands (TREAT), the Tree

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Human and Community Well-Being, and Environmental Values and Services

• Human and community well-being • Threats to environmental services and values

Human and community World Heritage Area 43, 44. However, the well-being nature and strength of the links between There are many opportunities within environmental values and services from the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area for the Area and human and community walking, bike riding, swimming in the well-being are still incompletely pristine waters of lakes and creeks, for understood. These links are described adventure trips, wildlife observation and in Figure 2 45. It recognises that resting within serene surroundings. the direct and indirect relationships The Area is a place to enjoy, to heal, between many of these specific to recharge from the stresses of life; environmental values and services and to more intimately commune with its dimensions of human and community diverse fauna and flora; to experience well-being are an inextricable part of emotions and sensations that are buried within us in the bustle of our daily lives; and to feel inspired. Protected areas provide The philosophy of ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy People’ 39 is highly relevant to open spaces and the Wet Tropics community. There is strong recognition of such quality of recreation opportunities, life benefits from the World Heritage large areas for carbon Area. The proximity of many visitor sites to communities is also highly sequestration, they valued, as evidenced by the high levels generate energy and of visitation and use of the Area by local residents. Respondents to a survey also provide research and state that ‘it is good to know it exists’ education facilities. and believe that very important benefits are derived from the provision of places Above all these, they play for relaxation and contemplation, a role in the maintenance as well as recreational and social opportunities 40, 41. The visual amenity of of cultural values which the area is so much valued that the Far contribute to community North Queensland Regional Plan 2009- 2031 has as one of its goals to protect health, well-being and a and enhance the unique visual amenity strong sense of place. and landscape of the region 42. 38 R. Bushell, The role of nature-based Human well-being and economic, tourism in the contribution of protected social and cultural benefits also come areas to the quality of life in rural and from a range of ecosystem goods and regional communities in Australia, 2002 services provided by the Wet Tropics

68 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 the function of the Area in the life of (discussed in the State of the Wet Tropics the community, but mostly taken for Report 2010-2011 and climate change granted. (highlighted in an earlier State of the Wet Tropics Report 2008-2009 and by There has been some empirical others) 50, 51. research undertaken that attempt to illustrate these ecosystem values and The natural disasters which are a linkages and how they directly manifest common occurrence in this region also themselves within this region, as pose a significant threat. Thus another illustrated in the following examples. important function of the Area in the life Cloud stripping in the high altitude of the community is the development rainforests of the Wet Tropics World of resilient communities capable of Heritage Area contributes greatly to the implementing adaptive management annual precipitation which feeds stream and self-sustaining momentum at times flow and water supply46 . A number of of recovery from disasters or when creeks in the Wet Tropics continue to dealing with any other threats. The role flow in the dry season because of this of natural resource and conservation contribution. management organisations at times of natural disasters is perceived by Rivers within the Area provide power the community to be invaluable. They for two hydro-electricity stations, contributed greatly to recovery efforts on the after cyclone Yasi, working closely and Barron Falls Hydro on the Barron with local councils and community River. Drinking water quality in general organisations. This was also the case in is also a very important environmental efforts like the Daintree Rescue Package, service in the region that on a daily basis cassowary recovery plans and Mission is valued by residents and others. Beach recovery work. Production of macadamias on the Atherton Tableland benefits greatly from insect pollination – as insects that use the rainforest interact with nearby The community sees the agricultural crops 47. Coffee plantations in the region derive similar benefits from World Heritage Area as an the Area’s birdlife. integral part of the quality The potential for carbon sequestration is of life, as an important an environmental service that could be further explored. Carbon sequestration component of place could be a significant incentive for meaning and identity, landholders to participate in initiatives for sustainable management and a and as an amenity fitting contribution to reward the time and resource which and effort of those who over the years have worked hard towards conservation provides for community of ecosystems on their properties 49. recreation, restoration, The potential also exists for scientific bio-prospecting for pharmaceutical and inspiration as well as products. a livelihood for many. Threats to environmental 48 J. Bentrupperbäumer et al, Visitor services and values Monitoring System for the Wet Tropics Threatening these environmental World Heritage Area, 2004. services is a range of biosecurity issues

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FIGURE 2: The Link between Environmental Values and Services and Human and Community Wellbeing in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND SERVICES HUMAN AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING Supporting / Processes Quality of Life / Health • biodiversity • recreation • habitats and refugia • exercise in natural settings • soil formation and fertility • water quality • pollination • access to clean air • nutrient recycling • scenic values • genetic resources • historic values • fire regimes • art and craft materials • water cycles • human-wildlife interaction • biomass production • pharmaceutical and biological products Social / Economic / Cultural • horticultural products • aesthetics • regional identity Social Cooperation / Cohesion / • social value to community Identity • economic value to community • sense of place • traditional connection to country • formation of new groups/networks and rights • types of cooperation • governance arrangements Provisioning • collective pride • energy (hydro, solar, wind) • water Security • clean air • secure resource access • carbon sequestration • security from disasters • cloud stripping • maintaining options for the future • food • shade and shelter Regulating Tourism • regional and micro climates • attraction to area • food mitigation • economic revenues • water purification • generation of employment • erosion control • employment for TOs • groundwater recharge • waste treatment Education / Research • energy conversion • living laboratory • pest control • scientific discovery • knowledge generation • environmental awareness and education Spiritual / Customary • cultural values • customary practices • spiritual significance • conservation and management of important traditional areas

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Research, Education and Knowledge Application

• History and institutional context for research • Research and management nexus – knowledge application • Research on social, cultural and economic dimensions • International knowledge transfer • Learning and teaching

History and institutional context effective knowledge transfer. for research The Wet Tropics Management Authority The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area was part of the Rainforest CRC’s is an extraordinarily rich and dynamic governing structures and provided living laboratory for the acquisition of financial, in-kind and staff support to knowledge and understanding - of its ensure research was also directed to fauna, flora, biodiversity, ecosystem address management needs and seek functioning and services, as well as its management solutions. social, economic and cultural values. The World Heritage Area was not only Research capacity and knowledge has a centrepiece of research but also developed rapidly in this region over played a critical role in ensuring multi- the last 20 years through two rounds disciplinary research across all the of Rainforest Cooperative Research programs. Support groups within the Centre funding (1993-2006); the Rainforest CRC, made up of stakeholders Marine and Tropical Sciences Research within the Wet Tropics region, played an Facility investments (2006-2010) and important role as end users in shaping the National Environmental Research research, with the Authority and QPWS Program (2010-2014). A supersite 52 staff represented in all of those groups. has been established under Australia’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Research The legacy from this research Network (TERN) to capitalise on and undertaken within the CRCs still extend this research legacy. influences management of the Area. Impressive research facilities like the An important foundation for the amount Australian Canopy Crane Research and calibre of research in the Wet Station at Cape Tribulation will continue Tropics region was the establishment to foster even more interest in the of the CSIRO laboratory on the Atherton conduct of research in the future. Tableland and the James Cook University campus in Cairns. Research and management nexus – knowledge application Several partners in the management Research institutions have played a of the Wet Tropics World Heritage vital role in the provision of information Area participated in the Rainforest and advice with direct relevance to Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), the management of the Wet Tropics which was a consortium of research and region. Table 2 provides an overview of management agencies charged with current priority research areas which facilitating well-targeted research and have been identified as relevant to

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TABLE 2: Examples of current high priority research areas relevant to understanding the function of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in the life of the community

Broader Research Area Specific Research Topics

Rainforest Aboriginal cultural • Aspirations and interests of Rainforest studies Aboriginal people and systems of management to facilitate co-management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area • Documentation of Rainforest Aboriginal culture • Aboriginal capacity building and engagement in natural resource management • Culturally important attributes of the World Heritage Area

Community attitudes, benefits, • How business (particularly tourism) and other engagement, use and values community and Traditional Owner partners can be engaged, benefit from, and contribute to the knowledge and management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area • Community attitudes, knowledge levels, perceptions, expectations, concerns, needs and levels of support with respect to the use and management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area • Best ways to promote the value of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to the community

Presentation, recreation • Key determinants of visitor experience at and tourism Wet Tropics World Heritage Area recreation sites • Key indicators of visitor behaviours, motivation and understanding and how these might be applied to improve management • Perceptions of scenic and aesthetic importance and how they can be used for impact assessments

Socio-economic and • What the ecological goods and services provided environmental benefits by the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area are • The role of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in maintaining prosperity together with social health and well-being

Integration of knowledge • Best ways for the integration of social and for management ecological science for World Heritage conservation and management

72 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 understanding the function of the Wet people in research will ensure their Tropics World Heritage Area in the life of continued involvement in the generation the community. of knowledge 64. Further enhancing their skills will facilitate continued An important source of engagement production of valuable resources between research institutions and such as videos produced by Girringun management agencies is the Wet Tropics Aboriginal Corporation No Wabu, No Management Authority’s statutory Wuju, No Gunduy (No Rainforest, No Food, Scientific Advisory Committee which No Cassowary) which tells the story of meets four times a year to provide the cassowary and its importance to advice to the Authority on any emerging Aboriginal Rainforest people 65. issues, proposals, and planning relevant to the Area. International knowledge transfer A benefit of undertaking research which With the support of the Scientific benefits the management of World Advisory Committee, the Wet Tropics Heritage properties is that actions Management Authority completed a taken at these iconic properties attract research strategy 53 that aims to guide considerable international attention research efforts and facilitate and can influence the adoption of good knowledge transfer. This is one management practices elsewhere. means of inviting collaboration with Recognising this, UNESCO encourages research providers to address specific World Heritage properties to serve as information needs for management. living laboratories where monitoring, The committee helps to ensure that mitigation and adaptation processes can World Heritage Area management staff be applied, tested and improved. in all agencies are exposed to up-to-date research relevant to the Area. It also The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area helps to co-opt the skills and knowledge is regarded as one of the best-studied of the research community. patches of protected rainforest on a global Scale 66. For this reason, and Research on social, cultural and also for the calibre of work undertaken, economic dimensions research in the Area has raised global Inter-disciplinary research that interest in similar rainforest World addresses the relationships between Heritage Areas or rainforest tropical the Wet Tropics environment, the environments facing problems like environmental services it provides climate change impacts. and the social, cultural and economic dimensions of communities in this Sharing the experience gained by region plays a valuable role in better Australia in managing the Wet Tropics understanding the function of the World Heritage Area (and other World Heritage Area in the life of the Australian properties) is a useful community. Examples of such means of strengthening World Heritage research include some related to management elsewhere, particularly in Indigenous peoples 54, 55; visitor and Oceania. community experiences, perceptions and values of the Wet Tropics World In 2009, the Authority supported the Heritage Area 56, 57, 58; landholders’ Australian Department of Sustainability characteristics 59,60; community Environment Water Population and involvement in management 61, 62 Communities (SEWPaC) to run a two- and social resilience 63. week training workshop for East Rennell World Heritage Area (Solomon The adoption of appropriate cultural Islands) land managers. Australia has protocols for involving Indigenous also deployed experienced Wet Tropics

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A Learning Landscape and the Australian canopy crane The outstanding universal value of research station, and easy access to the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area forests for fieldwork. The forests are has been a focus for researchers for carefully managed to maintain their many years. conservation values and management authorities are strongly supportive of Located within the region is the research programs. James Cook University and important laboratories of CSIRO - Australia’s The Wet Tropics Management Authority, national science agency. Researchers the statutory authority responsible for from these and other Australian the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, institutions have made a major has established a research strategy contribution to knowledge about the for the Area. The research strategy Wet Tropics rainforests. This knowledge creates a foundation for establishing contributes to understanding about the Wet Tropics as a learning landscape. tropical rainforests throughout Through this, the Authority aims the world. to encourage continuing research, addressing key management issues The Wet Tropics region offers many for the Wet Tropics of Queensland and benefits for researchers. There is other tropical forests and to ensure the already a substantial foundation of results of research have influence in ecological data in place. The region management and policy for supports outstanding research facilities, the Area. for example, James Cook University

74 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 management resources to assist the Earthwatch to produce a series of Lorentz World Heritage Area (Republic climate information fact sheets of Indonesia) in the development of and deliver educational events a management plan for the property. across the region on this climate During 2011, the Wet Tropics change adaptation. Management Authority hosted officials from the Solomon Islands, Papua New James Cook University (JCU) have a Guinea, Kiribati and Vanuatu in support strong focus on teaching rainforest of the completion of their six-yearly sciences, natural resources periodic reports. management, sustainable development, ecotourism and conservation. Together Learning and teaching with their strong focus on World Schools and academic institutions Heritage, they are well positioned to use benefit greatly from being in the Wet the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Tropics World Heritage Area where as an exemplar case-study and as an many field-trips take place. Many of the outdoor teaching laboratory. agencies and organisations in the region contribute tremendously to learning The Area is critical to the teaching at JCU about the natural environment and the which even evokes the scenic beauty of specific outstanding value of the World the World Heritage Area in its marketing Heritage Area. to domestic and overseas students, citing the close vicinity of the Cairns Staff of agencies and organisations in and Townsville campuses to two World the region regularly attend teacher in- Heritage natural environments – the service training and host school visits Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the to the World Heritage Area. Agencies Wet Tropics ancient rainforests 68. and organisations also support specific projects for community awareness Other tertiary academic institutions like the Cattana Wetlands Project and like the School for Field Studies on the numerous field-based school activities Atherton Tablelands market exclusively in the region 67. to international students to learn about rainforest ecology and restoration, Another schools-focused initiative is an providing an opportunity to transfer annual poster competition, conducted knowledge overseas 69. in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority. Winning The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area entries are compiled into a calendar will continue to be a reference that is widely distributed to school for knowledge about tropical communities. forest ecosystems and associated environmental services and social, Alongside TAFE, Education Queensland cultural and economic dimensions not and others, the Authority also supports only in Australia but also overseas. It is the monthly News in Education (NiE) quite clear that, in the 20 years since the Post-Ed supplement in the Cairns Post. listing, the Area has played a significant As part of its sponsorship the Authority role in promoting knowledge generation provides stories, feature articles and and its application. activities for school students across the region.

Terrain NRM includes an education link on their website where teaching resources are listed and available to the public. It has a partnered with

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Tourism and Interpretation

• Economic value of tourism • Framework for tourism management • Sustainable tourism industry • Tourism and Traditional Owners • Regional Leadership • Visitor experiences and facilities

Economic value of tourism strategy divides the World Heritage Area There is wide recognition by state and into twelve tourism precincts according commonwealth governments and a to their distinctive features and tourism whole range of stakeholders that World focus. The overall aim is to encourage a Heritage Areas are tourism assets. dynamic, sustainable and professional World Heritage is a very powerful brand nature-based tourism industry in the for the tourism industry in this region. Wet Tropics. The strategy encourages The combination of reef and rainforest cooperative partnerships between experiences are promoted widely. the tourism industry, land managers, The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is Indigenous people, conservation groups regarded as one of the premier tourism and the community. A primary strategy destinations in the Australia. for managing the impacts of tourism in the Wet Tropics is to provide for focused In terms of national economic impact, access areas and the Queensland Parks the Wet Tropics of Queensland is one and Wildlife Service provides such of the most significant World Heritage opportunities in many of the National Areas in Australia. The annual visitation Parks in the region. for 2006-07 was estimated at 5 million and contributed just over two million Sustainable tourism industry dollars in direct or indirect output or Tourism is a major industry linked to business turnover and 13,351 direct or World Heritage Areas 73. Provision for indirect jobs 70. During the year ending and management of sustainable tourism 2010, the region had an estimated 5.7 in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area million visitors and is the third most can contribute greatly to understanding significant destination in Australia for the critical role that World Heritage plays international visitors. Total visitation to in fostering sustainable development. the Cairns Townsville region over the past year has included an estimated The tourism industry is a key 18 million visitor nights spent within regional partner in delivering better the region 71. understanding of World Heritage values through interpretation and presentation. Framework for It also plays a very important role in tourism management connecting communities and economies. The framework for tourism in the World The industry hires many interpreters Heritage Area was established in the to portray the World Heritage Area Wet Tropics Nature Based Tourism to a wide range of visitors and local Strategy 72. Developed in close community members. Recognising consultation with the tourism industry this, the Wet Tropics Management and relevant government agencies, the Authority is working together with

76 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 the tourism industry to ensure high established interpretive centre enables standards in the commercial tour guide the Eastern Kuku Yalanji people to industry. Such close partnerships collect a transfer (bus) fee and provide assist in giving visitors to the region exclusive cultural and environmental a high quality experience, enhancing interpretation at the site. The new their understanding of the outstanding arrangements have also remedied universal value of the Wet Tropics and previous parking problems, reducing helping to minimise any environmental impacts on World Heritage values and risks associated with tourism operations improving visitor experience. in the World Heritage Area. Regional leadership A Wet Tropics World Heritage specific The Wet Tropics Management Authority curriculum for tour guide training has provided regional leadership has been developed and launched in establishing the Area as one of recently through a partnership with Australia’s National Landscapes under a the Queensland Tourism Industry program jointly administered by Tourism Council. This program also aims to Australia and Parks Australia. Under the reduce the onerous task faced by tour program, a regional committee will forge guides of sourcing accurate, up-to- partnerships between regional tourism date information to enhance visitor and conservation interests in the Wet experiences. The program has been well Tropics World Heritage Area. received. In the first six months since its launch in early 2012 more than 65 The program aims to foster training places have been filled. internationally competitive tourism experiences that value, enhance The regional tourism industry and protect the natural and cultural recognises the importance of environments on which they depend. maintaining a good reputation for the quality of its products and services and The positioning statement for the Wet sustainable practice. A high proportion Tropics region acknowledges the Wet of operators have secured certification Tropics as a triumph of natural wonder, for their operations through Ecotourism hidden beauty, accessible nature and Australia. Recent Queensland diversity. From the Daintree, to the Government policy reforms related Tablelands or spying a wandering to the Tourism in Protected Areas Cassowary, this World Heritage framework will make accreditation of landscape delivers an entrancing, this type compulsory for commercial intriguing and engaging experience. operators using high visitation sites within the World Heritage Area. Visitor experience and facilities All these initiatives contribute towards Tourism and Traditional Owners what have been identified as the most Tourism has the potential to create much important aspects of visitors’ experience needed employment opportunities for in this region: to see natural features, Rainforest Aboriginal people. and to be close to and experience A welcome new development that will nature through observing the scenery, assist Traditional Owners gain further short walks, photography/painting/ economic benefit from the World drawing and relaxing 74. Maintaining the Heritage Area has recently commenced quality of visitor experience remains a operations at Mossman Gorge. challenge, as facilities require upgrading and constant maintenance. The Wet This is the most heavily visited site in Tropics World Heritage Area has around the Wet Tropics with more than half a 180 visitor sites, at least 94 of which million visitors each year. The recently have some level of infrastructure 75.

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Shaping the Future

• Promote and fine-tune involvement and participation of a wide range of stakeholders • Support Indigenous peoples’ aspirations and contributions to the Wet Tropics World Hertage Area • Support collaborative governance for conservation and management of the World Hertiage Area • Foster applied research and promote knowledge transfer • Improve standards for tourism and interpretation through collaboration • Promote understanding of the links between environmental services and values and human and community well-being

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is the Area, current threats, and the work a fundamental part of the community in of management agencies. North Queensland, contributing to many aspects of people’s lives, industries, Collaboration with stakeholders is organisations and groups. This out- critical in areas such as monitoring standing Queensland state, national biodiversity, endangered species, and international icon must be managed and environmental impacts.This is with care to ensure its longevity. Priority particularly the case given emerging areas for planning and policy attention biosecurity threats and also the are listed below. catastrophic events, such as cyclones that are common in the region. Promote and fine-tune involvement and participation of Innovative approaches should continue a wide range of stakeholders to be implemented to celebrate the Wet A strong foundation already exists Tropics World Heritage Area and support for participation by a wide range of community efforts through events, stakeholders but there is a need to awards, or ambassador programs. With continually refine and adapt systems of the rapid growth of new technologies communication and engagement to deal and social media it is also important with changing issues and changes to investigate online opportunities for in communities. communication amongst Wet Tropics communities and management agencies. Effective multi-stakeholder involve- ment requires professional skills in Support Indigenous peoples’ community engagement across the aspirations and contributions region. Ongoing identification and to the Wet Tropics World mapping of community groups with Heritage Area an interest in the World Heritage Area Continued support is vital for is vital for more integrated regional institutional strengthening of Rainforest planning and communication. Aboriginal peoples’ representative bodies in ways that are culturally Such knowledge also allows for tailor- sensitive and considered appropriate by made production of informational them. Promoting inter-cultural dialogue materials on the outstanding value of around specific management challenges,

78 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 particularly related to bio-cultural activities within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, is an ongoing process in the region. The most obvious change Support collaborative in the management of the governance for conservation World Heritage Area has and management of the World Heritage Area been a lifting of standards. Effective management of this Area Standards of presentation cannot be accomplished without strong collaboration between all levels in the Area; maintenance of government, community groups, of its internal infrastructure landholders, Rainforest Aboriginal people and industries. Such collaboration such as roads and benefits from clear definition of roles powerlines; knowledge and responsibilities, and synchronised efforts and use of resources. and understanding of its plants, animals and It is vital to gain an understanding of the expectations of different stakeholders vegetation communities; as well as culturally appropriate ways and awareness and of engaging them in the collaborative process. Continuing strong regional management of leadership is necessary to foster collaboration and create the right space threatening processes. for dialogue. A major contributor to that These have all increased dialogue will be maintenance of strong working relations between Canberra significantly through and Brisbane-based institutions with the focus and direction those in the Wet Tropics region. Planning resources must be sufficient to ensure provided by the listing. all groups and institutions feel their 76 Nigel Tucker, From the Heart, 2009. interests are properly taken into account.

The capacity for Rainforest Aboriginal people to participate in the management Models for co-management with of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Indigenous peoples need to be tailored needs to be bolstered with funding to the specific context, interests and and other capacity development capabilities of Traditional Owner interventions as part of supporting organisations. Management agencies Indigenous peoples’ social development and other collaborators need to be and self-determination goals. prepared to adapt and flex to changing community needs. Management arrangements like Indigenous Protected Areas and Foster applied research and Indigenous Land Use Agreements promote knowledge transfer should be recognised as a significant Priority should be given to implementing contribution to the presentation, the Wet Tropics Management Authority preservation and management of the Research Strategy 2010-2014 and to World Heritage Area in addition to their promoting the World Heritage Area as contribution to livelihoods. a learning landscape, paying particular

79 STATE OF ANNUALTHE WET REPORT TROPICS 2011 REPORT – 2012 2011 – 2012 attention to the transfer of knowledge The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area has between researchers, managers and the many facilities, some easier and others wider community, including our Asia- more difficult to access. The demand for Pacific neighbours. road and facility upgrades in this region is increasing to meet growing population More research effort needs to be needs, and to provide more access to directed towards areas such as the the Area and essential services. All links between the World Heritage Area facilities need to be designed, built and and human well-being; recreation maintained to a standard consistent with and tourism experiences; economic the World Heritage status of the Area. valuation of environmental services; and the economic contribution of the Promote understanding of the World Heritage Area to the regional links between environmental economy. More is also needed on the services and values and human cultural aspects of the World Heritage and community well-being Area, which includes understanding The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area of working cross-culturally and was established because of its natural appropriate co-management models for outstanding natural value. Those World this Area. Collaboration of Traditional Heritage values need to be preserved in Owners in research needs to adhere their own right. However, the Area exists to clear standards and guidelines and within a cultural, social and economic these should be promoted in the region. context and cannot be managed without institutions, groups and individuals. Improve standards for It is vital to communicate to the public tourism and interpretation the link between their quality of life through collaboration and the value of conservation and World Heritage Areas are tourism management of the World Heritage assets and nature-based tourism is the Area for the environmental values and major industry within the Wet Tropics services it provides. Environmental region. A number of current initiatives services and values from the World that foster collaboration between Heritage Area are of critical importance management agencies and the tourism in supporting the resilience of the industry need to be further encouraged broader Wet Tropics landscape and and promoted. Tour guide training need to be better understood. launched recently through a partnership between management agencies and the Queensland Tourism Industry Council will improve the quality of presentation of the Area. Monitoring mechanisms for quality control of accreditation standards is part of the collaborative work of Ecotourism Australia, the industry and management agencies in the region.

The Wet Tropics National Landscape Program is a clear example of a broad partnership at a regional and strategic level. Supporting the Wet Tropics hub of this national initiative will create a platform for planning and product development, particularly as the tourism market is evolving and changing.

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Footnotes

[1] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Research Strategy 2010-2014, Improving management by building and communicating knowledge through collaboration, Wet Tropics Management Authority, 2010, p.2.

[2] N. Stork, S Goosem and S. Turton, Australian Rainforests in a Global Context, in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Forest Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S. Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp 4-20.

[3] J. M. Bentrupperbäumer and J. P. Reser, Measuring and Monitoring Impacts of Visitation and Use in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area 2001/2002: A Site Based Bioregional Perspective, Rainforest Cooperative Research Centre, Cairns, 2002, pp. 11-51.

[4] AEC Group, Cairns - Townsville Experiences Audit Report, September 2011, http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/Documents/nltts/working-grps/dmp/Cairns- Townsville-EDS-2.pdf (accessed 2 July 2012).

[5] J. M. Bentrupperbäumer, S. E. O’Farrell and J. P. Reser, Visitor Monitoring System for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area: Volume 2 Visitor Monitoring Process - From Pre-Destination to Post-Destination. Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management, Cairns, 2004, pp 10-43.

[6] J. Carmody, J. and B. Prideaux, Community Attitudes, Knowledge, Perceptions and Use of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area in 2007, Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Cairns, 2008, http://www.rrrc.org.au/publications/ downloads/Entire-Document.pdf (accessed 10 July 2012).

[7] J. M. Bentrupperbäumer and J. P. Reser, The Role of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in the Life of the Community, A Survey of the North Queensland Community, Revised Edition, Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology and Management. Rainforest CRC, Cairns, 2006, pp. 3-40.

[8] Wet Tropics Management Authority, From the Heart: Celebrating 20 Years of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, Cairns, 2009, p. 19.

[9] Bentrupperbäumer and Reser, p. 34.

[10] Wet Tropics Management Authority, From the Heart, pp. 20-40.

[11] World Heritage Centre, Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, World Heritage Centre November 11/01, 2012, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/opguide11-en.pdf (accessed 1 September 2012).

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[12] World Heritage Centre, pp. 2-87.

[13] World Heritage Centre, p. 90.

[14] P. Larson, IUCN, World Heritage and Evaluation processes related to Community and Rights, Prepared for the IUCN World Heritage Programme, June 2012, http://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/496/ (accessed 1 September 2012).

[15] K. Schreckenberg, I. Camargo, K. I. Withnal, C. Corrigan, P. Franks, D. Roe, L. M. Scherl and V. Richardson, Social Assessment of Conservation Initiatives: A review of rapid methodologies, IIED - Natural Resource Management Series, 2012. pp. 1-38.

[16] Wet Tropics Management Authority, The Wet Tropics Management Authority Community Engagement Strategy 2011-2015, Cairns, 2011, p. 15.

[17] Valentine, P.S. and Hill, R, The establishment of a World Heritage Area, in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S. Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp 81-93.

[18] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Strategic Plan 2008-2013, http://www.wettropics.gov.au/mwha/mwha_pdf/Strategies/ WTMAStrategicPlan.pdf, p. 12.

[19] J. Kanowski, C. P. Catterall, K. Freebody and D. A. Harrison, D. A. (2008). Monitoring Revegetation Projects in Rainforest Landscapes. Toolkit Version 2, Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns, 2008, pp. 1 -45.

[20] Wet Tropics Management Authority, The Landholder’s Handbook: Living with World Heritage, http://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/user-assets/docs/jsc_ living_with_wh.pdf (accessed 12 September 2012).

[21] S. Scragg, World Heritage Wet Tropics: Restoring Communities (video) Funded by TREAT, Terrain, RADF grant, School for Field Studies and Barron Catchment Care, http://www.sarahscragg.com/ 2011, (accessed 12 September 2012).

[22] N. Emtage and J. Reghenzani, Wet Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Survey Interim Report. A Survey of Landholders from the Wet Tropics Natural Resource Management Region, Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns, 2008. p. 30.

[23] N. Emtage and J. Herbohn, J. (2008), Profiles of rural landholders in relation to Natural Resource Management in the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland, Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences, Cairns, 2008, pp. 30-40.

[24] Trees for the Evelyn and Atherton Tablelands (TREAT), http://www.treat.net.au./ (accessed 6 June 2012)

[25] Queensland Department of Main Roads, Road maintenance code of practice for the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Department of Main Roads and Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, 1998, p 2-10.

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[26] Wet Tropics Management Authority (2007) Keep the trees please! (brochure) Cleaning up roads after a cyclone in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, 2007.

[27] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Water Infrastructure Code of Practice: Wet Field Guide for the Maintenance and Operation of Water Extraction Infrastructure in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, 2000. pp. 1 - 40.

[28] Wet Tropics Management Authority, From the Heart, Cairns, 2009.

[29] World Heritage Centre, http://whc.unesco.org/archive/opguide11-en.pdf (accessed 1 September 2012).

[30] Bentrupperbäumer and Reser, The Role of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in the Life of the Community, p. 60.

[31] Wet Tropics Management Authority, From the Heart, p. 51.

[32] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area Regional Agreement, Cairns, 2005, http://www.wettropics.gov.au/site/ user-assets/docs/regional_agreement.pdf (accessed 1 September 2012).

[33] The Wet Tropics Aboriginal Plan Project Team (2005). Caring for Country and Culture – The Wet Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural Resource Management Plan, Rainforest CRC and FNQ NRM Ltd, http://www.terrain.org.au/images/ stories/publications/nrm-plans/V3-Aboriginal-Cultural-and-NRM-Plan.pdf, Cairns, 2005, (accessed 1 September 2012).

[34] Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031, http://www.dsdip.qld.gov.au/ resources/far_north_qld/fnq-regional-plan-2009-31.pdf (accessed 11 September 2012).

[35] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy: the conservation, rehabilitation and transmission to future generations of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Wet Tropics Management Authority, 2004, Cairns, p. 4-15.

[35] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Wet Tropics Conservation Strategy: the conservation, rehabilitation and transmission to future generations of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, p. 60.

[36] Sustaining the Wet Tropics: A Regional Plan for Natural Resource Management 2004–2008. FNQ NRM Ltd, Innisfail. http://terrain.org.au/publications/by- terrain/nrm-plans.html (accessed 11 September 2012).

[37] Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031, p. 40.

[38] R. Bushell, R. Staiff and N. Conner, The role of nature-based tourism in the contribution of protected areas to the quality of life in rural and regional communities in Australia, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management 2004, 9: 24-36.

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[39] Healthy Parks, Healthy People. International Congress, Melbourne 11-16 April, 2010. http://www.healthyparkshealthypeoplecongress.org/ (accessed 11 September 2012).

[40] J. Carmody and B. Prideaux, Bruce, Living with world heritage rainforests: measuring community perceptions. International Journal of Innovation and Regional Development, 2010, vol. 2 (1/2). pp. 96-111.

[41] Bentrupperbäumer and Reser, p. 70.

[42] Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2009–2031, p. 42.

[43] Wet Tropics Management Authority, State of Wet Tropics Report 2004- 2005, http://www.wettropics.gov.au/media/media_pdf/annual_reports/ (accessed 2 September 2012).

[44] I. Curtis, Economic Approaches to the Value of Tropical Rainforests in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S. Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp. 252-260.

[45] Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Ecosystems and Human Well-being: Synthesis. Island Press, Washington DC, 2005, p. 150.

[46] D. McJanet, J. Wallace, P. Fitch, M. Disher and P. Reddell, Hydrological processes in the Tropical Rainforests of Australia, in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S., Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp 198-209.

[47] S. A. Cunningham and K. R. Blanche, K.R. (2008). Services and Disservices from Insects in Agricultural Landscapes of the Atherton Tableland in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S., Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp. 240-250.

[48] J. M. Bentrupperbäumer, S. E. O’Farrell, J. Reser, p.25.

[49] The Degree Celsius Wet Tropics Biocarbon Sequestration and Abatement Project, http://www.marketbasedinstruments.gov.au/MBIsinaction/ Currentcasestudies/DegreeCelsiusproject/tabid/372/Default.aspx/372/ Default.a (accessed 2 September 2012).

[50] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Annual Report and State of Wet Tropics Report 2010-11, http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/publications/wet- tropics-ar.html, (accessed 2 September 2012).

[51] S. E. Williams, J. L. Isaac and L. P. Shoo, The Impact of Climate Change on the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functions of the Wet Tropics, in Living in a Dynamic Tropical Landscape, eds. Stork, N.E. and Turton, S., Blackwell Publishing, Victoria, 2008, pp. 282-294.

[52] Australia’s Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) http://tern.org. au/Australian-Supersite-Network-pg17873.html (accessed 2 September 2012).

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[53] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Research Strategy 2010-2014, p. 8.

[54] R. Hill, L.C. Cullen-Unsworth, L. D. Talbot and S. Mcintyre-Tamwoy, Empowering Indigenous peoples’ biocultural diversity through World Heritage cultural landscapes: a case study from the Australian humid tropical forests. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 2011, 17(6), pp. 71-91.

[55] R. Hill, Collaborative environmental research with Kuku-Yalanji people, in Working on Country: Contemporary Indigenous Management of Australia’s Land and Coastal Regions. eds. Baker R, Davies J and Young E., Oxford University Press. 2001, p. 143.

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[57] Carmody, and Prideaux, p. 40.

[58] Bentrupperbäumer, and Reser, p. 80.

[59] Emtage and Reghenzani, p. 40-49

[60] Emtage and Herbohn, p. 90.

[61] J. Carmody and B. Prideaux, B, Enhancing the Role of Host Communities in the Management of Protected Areas through Effective Two-way Communications: A Case Study. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 2011, 16(1), pp. 89-104.

[62] R. Hill, K. J. Williams, P. L. Pert, C. J. Robinson, A. P. Dale, D. A. Westcott, R. A. Grace, and T. O’Malley, Adaptive community-based biodiversity conservation in Australia’s tropical rainforest, Environmental Conservation, 2010, 37(1) pp. 73-82.

[63] H. Ross, M. Cuthill, K. Maclean, D. Jansen and B.Witt, Understanding, Enhancing and Managing for Social Resilience at the Regional Scale: Opportunities in North Queensland. Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns, 2010, p. 59.

[64] M. Fuary, An evaluation of previous and current methods and models for researching Indigenous resource use and purposes, with recommendations for ‘best practice’ research solutions. Reef and Rainforest Research Centre on behalf of the Australian Government’s Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Cairns, Australia, 2009, p. 18.

[65] Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, No Wabu, No Wuju, No Gunduy (No Rainforest, No Food, No Cassowary) (video), produced by the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation, Cardwell, 2008.

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[67] Cattana Wetlands Project, http://www.nqit.net/cattana/ (accessed 2 September 2012).

[68] James Cook University of North Queensland, http://www.jcu.edu.au/ (accessed 2 September 2012).

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[71] AEC Group, pp. 80-92.

[72] Wet Tropics Management Authority, Wet Tropics Nature Based Tourism Strategy: A strategy for the development and management of nature based tourism, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Cairns, 2000, pp. 4-11.

[73] A. Pedersen, Managing Tourism at World Heritage Sites: a Practical Manual for World Heritage Site Managers. UNESCO, World Heritage Centre, 2002, p. 34.

[74] J. Carmody and B. Prideaux, Sustainable Nature Based Tourism: Planning and Management. Report on Visitation and Use, 2009/2010: Executive Summary. Report to the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Published by the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns, 2011, pp. i-iii.

[75] Bentrupperbäumer, O’Farrell, and Reser, p. 78.

[76] Wet Tropics Management Authority, From the Heart, pp. 19.

86 ANNUAL REPORT AND

ANNUAL REPORT AND STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT STATE OF THE WET TROPICS REPORT 2011–2012 | 2011–2012 Front cover: Josephine Falls, Queensland PO Box 2050 Cairns, QLD 4870

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