Willandra Lakes Region
Factors affecting the property in 1995*
- Management systems/ management plan
Factors* affecting the property identified in previous reports
- Lack of a management plan
- Problems with landowners resident in the site
- Aboriginal concerns
International Assistance: requests for the property until 1995
Total amount approved : 0 USD
Missions to the property until 1995**
Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1995
The Bureau at its eighteenth session took note of the first mission report to the site. The report indicated problems with landowner residents, aboriginal concerns and delays in the preparation of a management plan. IUCN suggested a redefinition of the boundaries of the site and a revised nomination under cultural criteria. The Bureau asked the Centre to consult the Australian Government and both advisory bodies and to report back to the Committee.
In their letter of 29 September 1995, the national authorities advised the Centre of a proposed amendment to the boundary of Willandra Lakes Region. The present boundaries are defined on the basis of cadastral boundaries, including pastoral leases. A review of the boundaries was carried out, with the participation of relevant scientists and local landholder and Aboriginal communities, and a report was prepared out on behalf of the "Technical and Scientific Advisory Committee" for the site, in May 1995. Following detailed consideration and consultation with the landholders and the three aboriginal groups, it was recommended to revise the boundary to reflect the area within which the cultural and natural values originally recognized for the listing are located. The new boundary will reduce the total area by about thirty percent and a number of small areas will be added to the property. The revised boundary will gain credibility with regard to World Heritage values. The boundary review is part of a package of management and planning measures being developed for a sound future management of the site. The Centre transmitted this information and maps to both advisory bodies, IUCN and ICOMOS, for review.
Analysis and Conclusion by World Heritage Centre and the Advisory Bodies in 1995
The Bureau may wish to consider the proposed reduction of one third of the size of the World Heritage area, which would constitute a major change in relation to the original nomination. The Bureau therefore, may wish to consult ICOMOS and IUCN with regard to what this boundary revision may imply for cultural and natural values and either endorse the proposed changes or request the States Party to resubmit the site as a new nomination.
Summary of the interventions
Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1995
19 COM VII.B.1.24
SOC: Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
VII.24 Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
The Committee took note of a new boundary proposal which will reduce the total area by about thirty percent. The Committee decided to take this issue up under item VIII "Nominations".
19 COM VIII.B.1
Revision of Boundaries: Willandra Lakes Region (Australia)
Willandra Lakes Region
167 Rev.
Australia
N(i)C(iii)
The Committee recalled that the site was included on the World Heritage List as a mixed site in 1981. The Committee took note of the new boundary proposal and the information by the Delegate of Australia that the reduction in the size of the area would enhance the World Heritage values of the site.
The Committee, furthermore, having taken note of the fact that the new boundary will reduce the total area by about thirty percent, adopted the revised boundaries, as they better define the area containing the World Heritage values and will considerably facilitate the management of the property.
The Bureau, having taken note of the fact that the new boundary will reduce the total area by about thirty percent, which would constitute a major change in relation to the original nomination, recommended that the Committee accept the revised boundaries, as they better define the area containing the World Heritage values and will considerably facilitate the management of the property.
It recommended the Committee to examine and approve the proposed revision of the boundaries of the property under agenda item 8 of its provisional agenda 'Examination of nominations of cultural and natural properties to the World Heritage List'.
Australia
* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).
** : All mission reports are not always available electronically.
