| The Agreement rests on the basis that: ‘[t]he Australian and Queensland Governments acknowledge Rainforest Aboriginal peoples’ aspirations, cultural values, spiritual links and obligations to the land and the waters of the wet tropics area’; and '[t]he Rainforest Aboriginal people acknowledge that World Heritage Management agencies have statutory responsibilities to plan and manage the wet tropics area in accord with Australia’s international obligations’ (Agreement Preface).
The Agreement has four key elements:
- Recognition of cultural values through support for listing the WTWHA on the new National Heritage List for cultural and natural values, which may lead to the nomination of cultural values for World Heritage listing;
- Participation in decision making through agreement to include a second Rainforest Aboriginal person on the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) Board of Directors (the principal decision-making body on matters affecting the WTWHA);
- Establishment of an Aboriginal Rainforest Council (ARC) to represent all Rainforest Aboriginal peoples and other aboriginal people particularly concerned with this land in dealings with the World Heritage management agencies of the WTWHA; and
- Participation in policy, planning, permission and management through agreement to guiding principles/guidelines and protocols (which outline specific arrangements for participation in activities including: consultation procedures; operational management; policy development and strategic planning; park planning; permitting for scientific, commercial, and educational activities; cultural heritage management and mapping; and environmental impact assessment).
The Chair of the new Aboriginal Rainforest Council, Russell Butler, says that the Rainforest Aboriginal peoples ‘are very excited at the opportunities the Agreement creates for the Indigenous community’, particularly the chance ‘to share knowledge with government agencies as well as play a significant part in the decision making and consultation process regarding the management of traditional lands’ (Wet Tropics Management Authority Media Release 29/04/2005). In addition to the signing of the Agreement, the ‘Wet Tropics Aboriginal Cultural and Natural Resources Management Plan’ – developed by Traditional Owners to support the Agreement through actions to meet their aspirations in caring for country and culture, and through investment strategies – was launched. It is expected that the Plan, in conjunction with the Agreement, will create employment opportunities for community members, including through ‘junior ranger’ programs with significant educational and training benefits (Yaxley, 2005; Townsend, 2005). | |
