The disposal of our World Heritage (Part 1)
This blue-coloured pool (depicted above as it was 1995) is a World Heritage treasure of exceptional beauty situated in a sharp curve of Cooper Creek at the base of Thornton Peak.
Australia’s international obligation to protect and conserve this site is defined within its inscription of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in 1988.
The Daintree is recognized as the ‘Jewel In the Crown’ of the Wet Tropical rainforests of Australia. Twelve of the world’s nineteen families of primitive flowering plants have persevered within the Daintree rainforest. The Cooper Creek lowlands contain a living museum that has survived the ice ages and remains as living proof of continuity of growth over 135 million years.
The rainforest about the pool (above) is structurally classified as complex mesophyll vine forest: the ultimate expression of rainforest in Australia. It is also one of the most endangered rainforest systems in the wet tropics region. This rainforest type is especially noted as being the habitat for many rare and threatened species located within the precinct including the endangered southern cassowary.
The pool is also sacred to the Kuku Yalanji traditional custodians as a birthing site and spiritual resting place for the unborn, over millenia of generations. It is women’s place and its pristine condition, prior to popular recreational access, was testimony to traditional management practices.
Over the passed 14 years, high impact tourism, over-enthusiastic recreation, vandalism and neglect have destroyed the pristine beauty of this global treasure.
Five government agencies responsible for the management of the precinct, Environment Australia, Wet Tropics Management Authority, Department of Natural Resources Mines and Energy, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Douglas Shire Council have been unable or unwilling to protect and conserve this special place.
In August 1998 an independent report was executed by Greening Australia – Queensland (Inc), as a component of the Community Vegetation Management Program.
“The primary aim of this report was to illustrate that there were major threatening processes degrading the natural World Heritage Values of this small area of outstanding biological significance. It was clearly demonstrated that there exists little will or cooperation within the various government agencies at all levels to accept responsibility for management of this area.”
State and Local Government Authorities have determined that the precinct should be managed as a “recreational/cultural/environmental reserve” and have instructed a consultant to develop a management plan according to this designation.
Visitors to the Daintree rainforest have been appalled by this decision. Australia’s dual commitment to reconciliation with the Traditional Owners and protection of World Heritage values have been set aside in favour of protecting recreational access to the public at large.
Such a designation institutionalizes the disrespect shown to the Traditional Owners and to the environment.
We call on our visitors and readers to inform all levels of government, in the strongest possible terms, that this area must be conserved and transmitted to future generations. There must be an immediate halt to damaging impacts and proper respect shown to the Kuku-Yalanji’s sacred birthing place.
Simply write to the members of government listed below or copy the form letter and send. It is only strong public opinion that can change the situation.
Letter To Politicians Draft form letter and addresses.
Address and Date
Dear Honourable Members of Parliament and Government,
As a visitor to the Daintree rainforest I wish to draw your attention to the continuing destruction of a World Heritage global treasure known as the “Blue Pool” in Cooper Creek and a decision made by Queensland Government Authorities to allow the continuation of the recreational activities that have clearly contributed to irreversible environmental damage at this special place.
I therefore request that you order the conservation and protection of this unique World Heritage Cultural site by declaring the area to be a “Cultural and Environmental Reserve” thereby excluding the word “Recreational” from the Reserves title, that you close the access road immediately to prevent further damage and that you ensure the development of a Management Plan that provides the highest possible order of protection and conservation.
I make this application knowing that the Blue Pool is sacred to the Kuku-Yalanji traditional owners and that it is located within an area known to have exceptionally high environmental values, and having representative habitats of many endemic, rare and restricted plant and animal species.
“The Blue Pool” is a World Heritage global treasure with universal values that are important to all humankind. The designation of this reserve as a “recreational reserve” institutionalises the disrespect shown to the Traditional Owners and to the environment.
Name:
Signature:
Addresses Of Politicians
Hon. John Howard, Prime Minister
Parliament House, Canberra ACT 2600The Premier, Hon. Peter Beattie
PO Box 185, Brisbane (Albert Street) Qld 4002
ThePremier@premiers.qld.gov.auHon. Lindy Nelson-Carr, Minister for Environment and Multiculturalism
PO Box 15155, City East Qld 4002
EandM@ministerial.qld.gov.auHon. Craig Wallace - Minister for Natural Resources and Water
GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001
NRM@ministerial.qld.gov.auMayor of Douglas Shire Council, Cr Mike Berwick
64 - 66 Front St, Mossman QLD 4873
mayor@dsc.qld.gov.auHon. Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Environment and Water Resources
PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House,
Canberra ACT 2600
Malcolm.Turnbull,MP@aph.gov.au