World Heritage List
The World Heritage List comprises natural and cultural places of ‘outstanding universal value’ selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee.
The Committee is responsible for implementing the World Heritage Convention, defining the use of the World Heritage Fund and allocating financial assistance, deciding whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, examining reports on the state of conservation of inscribed properties, and asking for action to be taken when properties are not being properly managed. It also decides on the inscription or deletion of properties on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Once a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, effective and active measures must be taken for the ongoing identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations of the cultural and natural heritage.
While UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee does not direct the management of listed world heritage properties, it does provide high level guidelines. It also requires that reporting on the state of properties conservation is undertaken and can liaise with State parties regarding possible concerns.
The World Heritage Unit within the Partnerships Branch of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships manage the administration, governance and strategic direction and policy development for the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites (Riversleigh section), Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and Fraser Island (K’gari) World Heritage properties. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority is responsible for management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. The Wet Tropics Management Authority oversees management of the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area and works closely with DES’s World Heritage Team to support a consistent approach across Queensland.
The day to day management and protection of the World Heritage properties is primarily carried out by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships and often in partnership with First Nations ranger organisations.
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