Shark Bay World HeritageShark World Bay Property 2008–2020 Plan Strategic Shark Bay World Heritage Property Strategic Plan 2008–2020 2007199-0408-20 SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTY STRATEGIC PLAN 2008 - 2020 i ii Shark Bay is a place where World Heritage values are respected by all members of the local community and visitors, where people enjoy their experience, retain an appreciation of the natural and cultural heritage and scientific significance of the Property, and understand the need to protect the natural and cultural values for present and future generations through cooperative management and community involvement whilst allowing for ecologically sustainable activities. iii iv SHARK BAY WORLD HERITAGE PROPERTY STRATEGIC PLAN 2008 - 2020 2008 Department of Environment and Conservation Perth, Western Australia Prepared by Paul McCluskey for the Department of Environment and Conservation and Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Front cover photos: Main image: Big Lagoon, Francois Peron National Park (Rory Chapple/DEC). Other images, left to right: Shark Bay daisy (Ian Anderson/CALM), Shell Beach (John Cleary), 4WD on Dirk Hartog Island (Rory Chapple/DEC), Zuytdorp cliffs (Rory Chapple/DEC), black & white fairy-wren (Babs & Bert Wells/DEC). copyright Department of Environment and Conservation v Acknowledgments The draft strategic plan was initially prepared by Ron Shepherd of the former Department of Conservation and Land Management. The final strategic plan was prepared by Paul McCluskey of the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) with assistance from Planning Team members including Kelly Gillen, Sue Hancock, Dave Rose, Cheryl Cowell and Clare Anthony. Contributions were provided by several other staff of DEC’s Management Planning Unit and staff from the Department’s Midwest Region and Shark Bay district. The maps were prepared by Mark Laming, Melissa Robinson and Holly Smith of the DEC’s Information Management Branch. Comment has been provided by Government agencies, local Government authorities that have been identified as having primary or a supporting responsibility for the implementation of the strategic plan including: Department for Planning and Infrastructure Department of Agriculture Department of Environment Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (Commonwealth) Department of Fisheries Department of Indigenous Affairs Department of Industry and Resources Environment Protection Authority Shire of Carnarvon Shire of Shark Bay Tourism Western Australia Western Australian Museum In addition, comment has been provided by the Conservation Commission of Western Australia and the Marine Parks and Reserves Authority. Nomenclature Inclusion of a name in this publication does not imply its approval by the relevant nomenclature authority. Aboriginal words can be spelt in numerous ways. Spelling should also be seen to encompass all other spellings. vi Executive Summary The Shark Bay World Heritage Property is located 800 kilometres north of Perth on Australia’s most westerly point (Map 1). The property encompasses about 22 000 sq km, is 66% marine and has about 1500 km of coastline. Shark Bay was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1991 on the basis of its “natural heritage” values. The Strategic Plan for the Shark Bay World Heritage Property provides a planning framework for managing the Property and meeting its international, national and State obligations. The Plan presents the World Heritage Convention requirements and the legislation framework that operates across the Property. The Plan will assist land and marine managers, World Heritage Property committees and community members in understanding the value of World Heritage and their roles and responsibilities in managing the Property. The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to satisfy Australia’s obligations under the World Heritage Convention, to fulfil management planning requirements for the Property in accordance with the Australian World Heritage Management Principles established by Regulation under the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), to satisfy the requirements of the 1997 State-Commonwealth Agreement, and to address the protection, conservation and presentation of the World Heritage values of Shark Bay. The Strategic Plan complements other planning documents produced for the Shark Bay area. The plan is a statement about what all levels of government and the community want the future of the Property to be (the vision statement), and how this can be achieved (goals, objectives and strategies). It provides management direction and guidance for those agencies, organisations, committees and individuals whose actions will determine whether the vision is reached. This includes all those with an interest in the Property; the local people, the wider community, industry, the researchers, educators, governments, and the decision makers. The Plan establishes a primary goal that is derived from the World Heritage Convention and is consistent with the management principles listed in the Regulations of the Commonwealth’s EPBC Act. The primary goal is: In accordance with Australia’s obligations under the World Heritage Convention, to identify, protect, conserve, present and transmit to future generations and, if appropriate, rehabilitate Shark Bay’s World Heritage values. In achieving this primary goal, due regard will be given to: allowing for the provision of essential services to the communities within and adjacent to the area; allowing for uses of the area which do not threaten the World Heritage values and integrity; recognising the role of management agencies in the protection of the area’s values; and involving the local Shark Bay community in the planning and management of the World Heritage Property. The key requirements of the primary goal – identify, protect, conserve, present, rehabilitate and transmit – are used to provide the structure of the Strategic Plan. The Plan determines key goal statements for each of these requirements then several objectives for the key goals. Strategies and actions are then listed to meet these objectives. For each action statement, the organisation having primary responsibility is listed as is its priority. Finally the expected outcomes for the each objective are provided. vii Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. vii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ viii 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 1.1 The Shark Bay World Heritage Property.......................................................................1 1.2 A Vision for Shark Bay......................................................................................................1 1.3 The Desired Future ...........................................................................................................1 1.4 Why have a Strategic Plan ............................................................................................3 1.5 Community Consultation Process.................................................................................4 2. Background........................................................................................................................6 2.1 What is World Heritage?.................................................................................................6 2.1.1 World Heritage Convention ...................................................................................6 2.1.2 International Obligations ........................................................................................6 2.1.3 World Heritage Criteria............................................................................................7 2.1.4 Shark Bay in Context................................................................................................8 2.2 Shark Bay’s World Heritage Values and Integrity.......................................................8 2.2.1 Values.........................................................................................................................8 2.2.2 Integrity ....................................................................................................................10 2.3 Shark Bay’s Other Values .............................................................................................12 2.3.1 Cultural heritage ....................................................................................................12 2.3.2 Population Centres ................................................................................................13 2.3.3 Economic Values ...................................................................................................13 3. Administration .................................................................................................................15 3.1 Ownership and Control ................................................................................................15 3.2 World Heritage Agreements and Legislation ...........................................................15 3.3 Shark Bay Committees .................................................................................................16 3.4 Native Title ......................................................................................................................17