JOINT MEDIA RELEASE WITH HON ROB STOKES MP, NSW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
The Australian and New South Wales Governments are continuing to work together to explore a potential World Heritage nomination for Sydney’s Royal National Park.
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt and NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes today reaffirmed their commitment to undertaking the research necessary as a prelude to developing a submission to include the Park on Australia’s World Heritage ‘Tentative’ List.
“A World Heritage nomination requires a substantial effort between all those interested in seeing a place included on the World Heritage List,” Mr Hunt said.
“The threshold of meeting World Heritage value is very high and this is why it is important to undertake the research into the Park’s values before making decisions on nominations.”
Mr Stokes said the NSW Government also remains committed to researching the possible nomination of the Royal National Park and its adjacent reserves for inclusion on the World Heritage List, and is committing to an external review of the draft submission.
“Royal National Park is one of the most remarkable places in Australia and we are currently finalising our assessment of the potential World Heritage values of the Park,” Mr Stokes said.
“Once finalised, we will work closely with Minister Hunt’s department to ensure any documents comply with the World Heritage Committee’s operational guidelines and the broader World Heritage Convention.”
Minister Hunt said Royal National Park is one of Australia’s great public parks and its importance to the nation was recognised with a National Heritage listing in 2006.
“I look forward to continuing our work with Mr Stokes and his department to explore the development of an extensive and thorough nomination document for the World Heritage Centre,” Mr Hunt said.
“Once the necessary preliminary research has been undertaken and subject to the advice of the external review, I will submit the nomination to the World Heritage Committee for their consideration at the earliest possible opportunity.”
The ministers were joined by Member for Heathcote Lee Evans, Member for Cronulla Mark Speakman and Liberal candidate for Miranda Eleni Petinos.
“Royal National Park is a true environmental treasure to NSW and Australia as a whole, and we want it to get the recognition it deserves,” Mr Evans said.
“The community’s very fond of this park, and I am pleased the NSW Government and Federal Governments are working together to give this park the best possible chance of World Heritage status,” Mr Speakman said.
(ENDS)