Action 2.3: Empower Rainforest Aboriginal People’s well-being and livelihoods

Rainforest Aboriginal People’s wellbeing has been deeply harmed by colonisation and the subsequent loss of  lands, loss of language and loss of culture. Achieving optimal conditions for health and wellbeing requires a holistic and whole-of-life view of health that encompasses the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community.

The Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area is part of a series of living cultural landscapes that have important social, economic and spiritual significance for Rainforest Aboriginal People. Rainforest Aboriginal People seek the opportunity to derive economic and social benefit from their country.

The Authority will partner with Rainforest Aboriginal People to ensure positive livelihood outcomes, so that long-term social, economic, cultural, spiritual and environmental aspirations are realised through:

• support for biocultural tourism projects

• revenue raising initiatives

• fee for service opportunities

• expanded land and sea ranger programs

• other emerging Traditional Owner-led initiatives.

The Authority will collaborate with Rainforest Aboriginal People to develop a framework for measuring well-being in a World Heritage context.