World Heritage delegation seeks protection for Tasmanian Wilderness

*Pic: Andrew in comments was quite correct … This was a tassietimes error … Rob Blakers pic was from the Tarkine … so it has been replaced … Rob Blakers, http://www.robblakers.com/

Rob Blakers’ pic of south-west national park

The Wilderness Society will again send a delegation to the upcoming meeting of the World Heritage Committee, to continue raising awareness of the current threats to Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area and support the very specific steps the draft decision seeks Government to address.

The meeting, which begins on June 28th, will consider a draft decision that seeks a review and amendment of the Tasmanian Government’s controversial new draft Management Plan including the retention of wilderness as a ‘key value’ and ‘fundamental’ management tool, the prohibition of logging and mining via improved conservation status and increased funding for management.

‘This draft decision sets out a clear suite of actions the State and Federal Governments must address to meet the management expectations for a World Heritage Area,’ said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society.

‘Government must commit to implementing the steps articulated in this draft decision in advance of the World Heritage Committee meeting.

The draft decision highlights concern over lack of progress with a critical Cultural Heritage study repeatedly requested by the Committee. The Wilderness Society supports calls for this study to be progressed as a matter of urgency, with the Aboriginal community fully consulted, empowered and funded to lead the survey work on the ground.

Joining the delegation will be Aboriginal Elder Rocky Sainty. Rocky participated in the 2014 World Heritage Committee meeting in Doha.

‘As a delegation we’ll be representing the natural and cultural values of the World Heritage Area and seeking support for clear steps that help address the risks associated with the Governments’ plans to weaken protections to allow logging, mining and intrusive tourism development,’ said Mr Bayley.

‘We’ll also be ensuring the Cultural Heritage study remains front and centre in the Committee’s requirements and that it is conducted in a way that satisfies the Aboriginal Community.

This year’s delegation comprises the same make up as the 2014 delegation, including current Campaign Manager Vica Bayley, long-time campaigner and World Heritage advocate Geoff Law, Aboriginal Elder Rocky Sainty and Europe-based former Wilderness Society campaigner Luke Chamberlain.

The draft decision to be considered by the Committee can be found on page 52 at: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2015/whc15-39com-7BAdd-en.pdf