WTMA and DERM Policies

The Wet Tropics Management Authority was established to ensure Australia’s obligation under the World Heritage Convention is met in relation to the Area. It is funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government, reporting to both on its performance against agreed outcomes. The Authority is a body corporate, with statutory powers defined under the Queensland Act. The Authority is responsble to the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council and has an independent Board which sets policy and makes decisions for the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management also sets policies which govern the administration of the Authority and the on-ground management of the World Heritage Area (see below).

WTMA policies and strategies

The Wet Tropics Management Authority Board has developed a range of 17 policies and strategies for the World Heritage Area.

Department of Environment and Resource Management

Administratively the Authority is a unit within the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM). As part of the Queensland public sector, the Authority is subject to established public sector legislation, regulations, standards and guidelines governing administrative functions and arrangements. The Director- General of the DERM is the accountable officer for the Authority under the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1997. The Authority is responsible to the Director-General regarding compliance with State Government administrative and financial standards.

For more information about the administrative regulations, standards and guidelines governing the Authority, and the policies of the Department of Environment and Resource Management, please see the DERM publication scheme.