QLD: Rainforest Aborigines to be part of wet tropics management

AAP General News (Australia)
04-18-2004
QLD: Rainforest Aborigines to be part of wet tropics management

Rainforest Aboriginal groups in Queensland have reached a landmark agreement to give
them a greater say in management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

Delegates from 26 tribal groups from Cooktown south to Paluma have voted for an Aboriginal
Rainforest Council to deal with federal and state government agencies managing the heritage
area.

The agreement follows a three-day workshop that ended today at Lake Tinaroo on the
Atherton Tablelands.

ALLISON HALLIDAY, co-chair of the Aboriginal Negotiating Team, says the agreement will
lead to meaningful involvement of Aboriginal people in the world heritage area management.

The new statutory rainforest council will represent more than 20,000 Aboriginal people
in the wet tropics region of Queensland.

AAP RTV ldj/lma

KEYWORD: RAINFOREST (CAIRNS)

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