The Cape York Peninsula has taken its first step to being World Heritage listed

In partnership with Cape York Traditional Owner groups, the Australian and Queensland Governments have nominated the Cultural Landscapes of Cape York Peninsula to Australia’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Savanna Plains, Olkola Country Credit: Kerry Trapnell

Cape York Peninsula is home to extremely rich, complex cultural landscapes which have been vital to a number of Traditional Owners in the north-east of Australia for tens of thousands of years.

It is also home to 18.5 per cent of Australian plant species, despite only being 3 per cent of continental landmass, and over 300 threatened species including the green sawfish, Cape York rock wallaby, and southern cassowary.

Quinkan Mushroom Rock Gallery Credit: Kerry Trapnell

Today the Australian and Queensland Governments, alongside a number of Traditional Owners from the region announced the 120,000 square kilometres of the Penisula has been submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

Proud Iamalaig woman from the Kulkalgau Clan of Iama (Yam Island) and the Kulkalgal Tribe of the Torres Strait, and the State Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, says that protecting the Cape is hugely important to her, to her community and to the government.

“Now, we’re one step closer to having our beautiful region recognised on the World Heritage List."

“This is a proud day for me and for the people I represent.”

Quinkan - Laura Escarpments Credit: Kerry Trapnell

Areas included in the Tentative List submission are:

1. Alwal National Park (CYPAL)
2. KULLA (McIlwraith Range) National Park (CYPAL)
3. Ma’alpiku (Restoration Island) National Park (CYPAL)
4. Olkola National Park (CYPAL)
5. Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL)
6. Quinkan Country
7. Wuthathi (Shelburne Bay) National Park (CYPAL)

Wuthathi Elder, Johnson Chippendale, who was one of the representative Traditional Owners said him and his people's fight in the early 80's were in response sand mining in Shelburne Bay and wanted to shift focuse for conservation movement in Cape York.

“Wuthathi people have a long history of conservation, protection and caring for Country, our Country, Wuthathi, for 60,000 years before colonisation."

Wuthathi Country, Shelburne Credit: Kerry Trapnell

Kuuku Ya'u Elder, Gregory Pascoe, another representative Traditional Owner says that he is proud of the inclusion to the World Heritage Tentative List.

"Our cultural practices are tied to our traditional Country and protecting this means that our traditions, stories, and connection to the land can remain strong for future generations."

"Ma’alpiku Island National Park (CYPAL) is a living cultural landscape for the Kuuku Ya’u people and it holds both contemporary and traditional significance. We have done a lot of thinking and planning to get to this step and we are very happy.”

What does being on the World Heritage Tentative List mean?

The announcement means the proposed region has been submitted to a tentative list for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Centre to consider.

Which it has to sit for at least 12 months before it can be nominated for the World Heritage List by the Australian Government, whereby it has to meet one or more out ten criteria relating to cultural or natural heritage.

McIlwraith Range Peach Credit: Kerry Trapnell

World Heritage is the designation, as per UNESCO, "for places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy."

Whilst it does not impact any national ownership, usage or control powers for local communities, it does recognise the cultural and natural heritage of the site and it's universal importance for future generations.

McIlwraith Range Emerald Python Credit: Kerry Trapnell

“This is only the Tentative Listing, they will be in deep consultation with all our Wuthathi people, led by Wuthathi people with the state’s support, following our protocol and guidelines to ensure protection and economic wealth and management of resource for our people," says Wuthathi Elder, Johnson Chippendale.