NEWSPORT NEWSFEED: Federal Minister speaks out in favour of Cape York heritage bid

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has reiterated her support for adding Cape York Peninsula to the UNESCO World Heritage list in the face of mounting State Government uncertainty about the proposal.

In a statement released to Newsport following reports the David Crisafulli-led LNP Government may be considering withdrawing support for the plan - which was given a “Tentative Listing” in June - Ms Plibersek said she wanted Cape York added to the World Heritage List to achieve international recognition alongside our other “precious places” like the Great Barrier Reef.

“Queenslanders understand that World Heritage status comes with a huge boost for local jobs, particularly in tourism, and the economy as a whole,” Ms Plibersek said.

“Adding Cape York to the World Heritage tentative list, in partnership with Cape York Traditional Owner groups and the former Queensland government, is a result of extensive community consultation and a strong belief from all of us, that what we have in the region is worth international recognition.”

Minister Plibersek said the Tentative Listing was just the first step in the World Heritage nomination process.

“This happened with the support of 10 traditional owner groups, and it won’t happen in areas where there is not support.

“It also doesn’t change existing land tenure and uses, for example existing cattle farming,” she said.

“There is plenty more work to be done, including more consultation across the Cape as the nomination progresses.”

The new Queensland Government has been reviewing its support for the World Heritage bid, stating it is not convinced the proposal will be economically beneficial and questioning whether stakeholders have been adequately consulted.

Nominations for the World Heritage List, which can take about 5-10 years, are only considered if a site is included on the Tentative List.

Cook MP David Kempton said this week he wanted to see more consultation with traditional owners and landholders to “ensure that the so-called economic benefit that comes with World Heritage listing does exist”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was in Cairns this week, said the bid was a “long process” and “people have to be able to put forward their views”.

Cape York Peninsula includes spectacular landscapes, rivers and oceans, with the Tentative Listing designed to help recognise significant cultural and natural values of parts of the region. 

It also acknowledges the role of Traditional Owner groups in caring for and managing the area.

Cape York includes 17,000-year-old rock art, which is significant to a range of First Nations people, and is home to close to 20 per cent of Australia’s native plant species.

To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of Outstanding Universal Value and meet other set criteria.

A “training village” for at-risk youth has been proposed by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation for a 200ha parcel of land directly across the river from Daintree Village.

But concerns have been raised by multiple residents of the tightknit Village community, with one saying the project will be “detrimental” to the region if it goes ahead. FULL STORY