To address recent threats to the management of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, a delegation of advocates for the proper protection of natural and cultural values will leave today for the World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn. The meeting opens on the 28th June and will consider a draft decision that rejects a proposed plan to weaken management and legal protections.
The delegation will use the opportunity to begin the task of informing the Committee, its expert advisers and other participants of the outstanding natural and cultural values of spectacular areas outside of the existing Wilderness World Heritage Area.
‘Wilderness and the World Heritage Area underpin Tasmania’s brand, are celebrated around the world and are a source of inspiration for locals and visitors alike,’ said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for the Wilderness Society
‘Replicating the World Heritage Area’s icon status in places like the Tarkine and West Coast Range not only helps properly protect and respect their values, it expands and builds on the reputation, brand and attraction that Tasmania already cultivates.
‘We’re keen to turn adversity into opportunity and use the fact we’re going to Bonn to campaign about the management plan as a chance to begin the job of promoting to the world the unrecognised World Heritage Areas in Tasmania.
The Wilderness Society today released a new publication showcasing the World Heritage values of landscapes yet to be included in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. Areas such as the Tarkine, West Coast Range, Recherche Bay and the Spero-Wanderer Wilderness remain unrecognised and threatened with logging, mining, off-road vehicles, vandalism or other damaging activities.
‘Tasmania’s Wilderness World Heritage Area is listed for its outstanding natural and cultural values like glacial landscapes, ancient forests, threatened species and incredible Aboriginal heritage,’ said book author, long-time conservationist and delegation member, Geoff Law.
‘Using stunning images and a clear and concise articulation of values, this publication highlights the case for building additions on the existing World Heritage Area.
‘Some of the areas, such as the Tarkine and Spero-Wanderer Wilderness have formed part of previous World Heritage proposals, but represent forgotten World Heritage, waiting for proper recognition and the protection and benefits that come. Others, like the takanya/Tarkine coast and Recherche Bay already have National Heritage status.
The book, with forewords by Aboriginal Elder Rocky Sainty and Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick, contains spectacular images from some of Tasmania’s most renowned wilderness photographers.
A draft decision rejecting the Hodgman Government’s draft Management Plan for the existing World Heritage Area will be considered by the Committee and can be found on page 52 in the meeting papers here.
The delegation consists of TWS Campaign Manager Vica Bayley, campaigner Geoff Law AM, Aboriginal Elder Rocky Sainty and Europe-based former Wilderness Society campaigner Luke Chamberlain.
Vica Bayley Tasmanian Campaign Manager The Wilderness Society (Tasmania) Inc. www.wilderness.org.au
