Environment and Resource Management

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between National Heritage and World Heritage?

The National Heritage List recognises Australia’s most outstanding natural, Indigenous and historic heritage. National Heritage places are important to all Australians.

The World Heritage List recognises the most important examples of cultural and natural heritage globally. World Heritage areas are a legacy to all people of the world and their outstanding universal values are protected for future generations.

Find out more about National and World Heritage.

Who decides what gets included on the National and World Heritage lists?

National Heritage

Anyone can nominate a place to be included on the National Heritage List. The nomination is assessed by the Australian Heritage Council. The Australian Government Minister for Environment decides if a nominated place becomes National Heritage.

World Heritage

The Australian Government submits a nomination for World Heritage to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee. The World Heritage Committee decides if a nominated place becomes a World Heritage site following rigorous assessment and advice from international experts.

A nomination to include areas of Cape York Peninsula on the World Heritage List will only proceed with Traditional Owner consent. Community support is also important for a successful nomination.

When will areas of Cape York Peninsula be nominated and listed

The Australian Government would like to nominate suitable areas of Cape York Peninsula for National and World Heritage listing within this term of government.

Have boundaries already been decided?

No. Draft boundaries will only be determined once the cultural and natural heritage values are known. The people of Cape York Peninsula will help the Australian and Queensland governments to identify these values. These values will need to meet National and World Heritage criteria.

There will be many opportunities for Cape York Peninsula communities, Traditional Owners and stakeholders to have their say on the draft boundaries before a nomination is finalised.

Will the whole of Cape York Peninsula be listed—will it be a blanket listing?

No. A blanket listing for the whole of Cape York Peninsula is not being considered.

The National and World Heritage lists recognise only the most important examples of cultural and natural heritage. Only areas that have outstanding heritage values can be nominated. There is ongoing work to identify these values.

Will the residents of Cape York Peninsula be consulted?

Yes. There has already been consultation with Traditional Owners and the Cape York Peninsula community. Consultation with people in the region remains the priority of both the Australian and Queensland governments for 2012.

The Queensland Government has released a discussion brochure about Cape York Peninsula and World Heritage and is inviting people to get involved and have their say.

The brochure World Heritage for Cape York Peninsula – A chance to have your say (PDF, 5.1M)* describes what World Heritage is and how it works and discusses issues that communities have already identified as being particularly important, such as land management needs and land use activities.

It also explains the many ways that people can get involved and includes a contact and feedback form (PDF)* that can be completed and returned to the Department of Environment and Resource Management.

Over the last couple of years, the Queensland Government has met many times with key stakeholders and community groups such as Cape York Sustainable Futures, the Cape York Natural Resource Management group, the Regional Organisation of Councils of Cape York and individual community councils.

Letters, fact sheets and surveys have been distributed introducing the World Heritage initiative and inviting feedback and consultation has been advertised in newspapers and on radio stations throughout the region.

A nomination to include areas of Cape York Peninsula on the World Heritage List will only proceed with Traditional Owner consent. Community support is also important for a successful nomination.

How are Traditional Owners being involved?

In addition to the range of broader community engagement activities, the Australian and Queensland governments are supporting Traditional Owner groups to consider National and World Heritage listing through a country based planning program.

By doing a country plan, the government is ensuring Traditional Owners will be in a better position to decide if they want to proceed with a National or World Heritage nomination.

If Traditional Owners decide to go ahead with a nomination, the information they have gathered as part of their country planning can be used in identifying boundaries, cultural heritage values and management arrangements for a future World Heritage site. If Traditional Owners decide they do not want their country included in a World Heritage nomination, they can still use their plan to manage country.

How can Traditional Owners get involved in country planning?

Funding has been made available by the Australian and Queensland governments to support Traditional Owner groups for country planning. This funding will be allocated between the numerous Traditional Owner groups who apply. 

It is recognised that each Traditional Owner group is at a different stage of planning and managing their country. Interested groups should contact the DERM office and talk to an engagement coordinator about what they need to prepare a plan for their country. 

What resources are available to implement the final country plans?

There is no guaranteed funding source to implement the country-based plans when they are finished; however a clear and costed plan is a big help in seeking funds from a range of sources.

As part of the planning process, Traditional Owners are encouraged to identify actions they can take to implement the plan including identifying the resources required and any potential funding sources and partners.

How will Traditional Owner consent be determined?

A World Heritage nomination will only proceed if Traditional Owners agree.

Through the country planning process, Traditional Owners will be in a better position to consider the different land management options available to them, including National and World Heritage. Funding has been made available by the Australian and Queensland governments to Traditional Owner groups who wish to undertake some planning for country. 

Through the process of planning for country, Traditional Owner groups can inform the Australian Government whether they support a World Heritage nomination and how they have made their decision.

A community engagement program is also underway to inform Cape York Peninsula communities and Traditional Owners about National and World Heritage and to answer any questions.          

Will National and World Heritage listing stop existing and new industries and activities?

Existing and new industries and activities can continue in National and World Heritage areas as long as they don’t significantly impact on the heritage values that an area has been listed for.

The Australian Government has an obligation to protect and conserve Australia’s National and World Heritage areas through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. This Act requires approval be obtained for any actions that could have a significant impact on National or World Heritage values.

Most activities can continue under World Heritage. For instance, grazing continues in the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage area and the West Kimberley National Heritage area, recreational and commercial fishing continues in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and tourism in Kakadu is a foundation for the local economy.

Can grazing continue in National and World Heritage areas?

Yes. Grazing continues in other Australian World Heritage areas, for example, Willandra Lakes and National Heritage areas such as the West Kimberley.

How will the National and World Heritage areas be managed and who will manage them?

The Queensland and Australian governments recognise that Traditional Owners and local communities are in the best position to manage their lands. Discussions are already taking place about management options with stakeholders, Traditional Owners and the Cape York Natural Resource Management Board.

The National and World Heritage nomination processes present a good opportunity to assess the effectiveness of current arrangements and provide a good foundation for better coordination. Future management may include many of the current arrangements.

Does National and World Heritage listing make the whole area a national park?

No. National and World Heritage areas can cover all sorts of land tenures including pastoral leases, freehold, Aboriginal lands and unallocated State land. National and World Heritage listings do not create new tenures.

Will National and World Heritage listing affect the tenure of my land, access to my land, or renewal of leases?

No. Listing an area as National or World Heritage does not change land tenure, access or ownership. National and World Heritage areas do not become Commonwealth property, nor do they become the property of any international body or foreign entity.

Also, pastoral leaseholders can obtain a term lease for up to 75 years if their property is within an area of international conservation significance under the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007.

Can you fish and camp in National and World Heritage areas?

Yes. National and World Heritage listing does not affect existing rights and access to places to fish and camp.

Fishing and camping are popular activities in many of Australia’s National and World Heritage areas including Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Kakadu National Park.

Are Native Title rights affected by a World Heritage nomination?

No. Native Title rights are not affected by a World Heritage nomination. An area will only be nominated for World Heritage if Traditional Owners agree.

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Last updated 10 February 2012

World Heritage nomination for areas of Cape York Peninsula

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