The Authority's Primary Goal

To provide for the implementation of Australia's international duty to protect, conserve, present, rehabilitate and transmit to future generations the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area, within the meaning of the World Heritage Convention.

You can read about the many ways the Wet Tropics Management Authority looks after the World Heritage Area in a six page colour brochure (copies are also available at the Authority).

Managing the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area lies between Townsville and Cooktown on the north-east coast of Queensland and covers an area of 894,420 hectares.

Within the World Heritage Area's 3,125 km (1,800 mile) boundary there are over 730 separate parcels of land including National Parks, State Forest, Freehold (private) land and a range of leases over public land. World Heritage listing does not affect land ownership and about two per cent of the World Heritage Area remains privately owned (about 200 separate parcels of land). Because of the complex land tenure, many people ranging from private land owners to government agencies are actively involved in managing the World Heritage Area. There are also about 2,500 parcels of land neighbouring the World Heritage Area.

Download a map of the various tenures in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area

Governance

In 1990 the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments agreed on a framework to manage the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. They decided to establish a small Cairns-based agency which would be responsible for managing the Wet Tropics according to Australia's obligations under the World Heritage Convention. Unlike a regular Government department, it would answer to both levels of Government, and it would be directed by an independent board of directors appointed by the Ministerial Council.

World Heritage Area management

Ministerial Council

The Wet Tropics Ministerial Council comprises four members, with two members each nominated by the Australian and Queensland Governments. The Queensland Minister for Sustainability chairs the Ministerial Council. Current members are:

• Hon Andrew McNamara MP, Qld Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation (Chair),
• Hon Desley Boyle MP, Qld Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
• Hon John Cobb MP, Assistant to the Australian Minister for the Environment & Water, and
• Hon Bob Baldwin MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Australian Minister for Tourism).

The Executive Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority is Secretary to Ministerial Council (s24(4) of WTWHPM Act 1993). Ministerial Council's function is to coordinate policy and funding of the Wet Tropics of Queensland between the Australian and Queensland Governments; and to approve management plans and appoint the Wet Tropics Board.

Ministerial Council may:

• nominate the Chairperson of the Board of the Authority for appointment
  under the Queensland Act;
• consult with the Board of the Authority and the Queensland Minister on the appointment of the Executive Director;
• coordinate policy and funding for Wet Tropics management between the two governments;
• recommend approval of management plans under the Queensland Act to the Queensland Governor in Council;
• approve annual and other programs for implementing approved management
  plans;
• recommend financial appropriations from the respective governments;
• approve draft budgets submitted by the Authority;
• approve Authority's annual reports for transmission to both parliaments.

The Board

The Board is made up of six directors and reports to the Ministerial Council. It is responsible for the way the Authority performs its functions and exercises its powers. The Board meets several times a year to discuss and prioritise the Authority's objectives, strategies and policies. The Executive Director of the Wet Tropics Management Authority is a non-voting member of the Board.

Current Board members and term of office:

• Lt Gen John Grey AC (Rtd) (17/5/09);
• Dr Alastair Birtles (15/3/10);
• Mr Tom Gilmore (15/3/10);
• Ms Allison Halliday (Acting, 30/11/07);
• Mr Andrew Maclean (ED, WTMA).
  

The Authority

The Authority is a relatively small organisation with about 20 staff members. It is responsible for policy and the coordination of on-the-ground management to ensure the World Heritage Area is properly protected. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and other land managers are responsible for day-to-day management issues such as maintenance, routine permits, and enforcement activities. The Authority's main functions are to:

• develop and implement management plans, policies and programs;
• administer funding arrangements;
• promote research and monitor the state of the Wet Tropics;
• enter into cooperative management agreements and other arrangements with land holders and Aboriginal people;
• develop community education programs; and
• promote the Wet Tropics locally, nationally, and internationally.

 
The Authority's activities include:

- policy and planning - major strategic planning for the area including the Wet Tropics Plan, specific issue-based plans and strategies such as the Conservation Strategy 2004, Nature Based Tourism Strategy 2000 and Walking Strategy 2001, and coordination with other regional planning processes such as the FNQ Regional Plan;

- research and monitoring - enhancing understanding of the importance of the World Heritage Area and monitoring the State of the Wet Tropics on an annual basis;

- funding - applying allocated funds for strategic outcomes, seeking new funding sources and new ways of value-adding to existing management programs;

- education and interpretation - through visitor centres, signs and displays, public and education programs;

- involvement of Aboriginal communities - through implementation of the Regional Agreement and negotiation about land use agreements.

- threat abatement - providing advice and strategic support for feral pig trapping programs, weed control, and fire management.

 
Advisory committees

The Board receives advice and feedback from a number of advisory groups. Each group meets three to four times a year to discuss relevant issues and policy proposals relating to the World Heritage Area. The positions are honorary, and members are not paid to attend meetings.