‘Deep concern’: Shadow environment minister accuses LNP of stacking Wet Tropics board with business executives

The LNP’s promise to better protect a World Heritage-listed rainforest has been questioned after business leaders replaced a world-renowned ecologist and land management expert on the board of a key environmental agency.

An endangered southern cassowary peers through foliage in far north Queensland. Picture: Christian Ziegler

The LNP’s promise to better protect the Far North’s World Heritage-listed rainforest has been questioned after top executives replaced a world-renowned ecologist and land management expert on the board of a key environmental agency.

Marketing executive Michael Nelson and Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler were named Wet Tropics Management Authority directors by Environment Minister Andrew Powell last month.

Tourism and Environment Minister Andrew Powell has backed business leaders to provide expertise to a Far North environmental agency, entrusted with preserving the Wet Tropics of Queensland World Heritage Area. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mr Powell said the appointments aimed to “strike the crucial balance” between protection of the 900,000ha World Heritage Area, located between Rollingstone and Cooktown, and visitor expectations.

“By continuing to protect the environmental values of the magnificent Wet Tropics, we can also assure we maximise the region’s tourism potential, and contribute to the local economy in a responsible and sustainable way,” he said recently.

James Cook University environmental scientist, Professor Stephen Williams, has been replaced on the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s Board.

Shadow environment minister Leanne Linard said the decision to part ways with James Cook University’s Professor Stephen Williams and land management planner Robin Clark failed to consider the authority’s role in preserving the region’s ancient rainforest.

“The decision to replace two environmental experts on the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s board is cause for deep concern about this government’s priorities,” Ms Linard said.

Millaa Millaa Falls, a natural stream waterfall with a 16-metre drop, surrounded by rainforest and ferns near the town of Millaa Millaa on the Atherton Tablelands, about two hours south of Cairns, is in the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics area. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The LNP’s announcement talks about the need to balance conservation and tourism — and I agree, there is a need for both.

“That is why there are already two board members with a tourism background on the board and now the LNP are replacing a land management expert and a rainforest ecologist with business representatives.”

Clamshell Falls, a cascading waterfall surrounded by lush tropical rainforest at the top of Behana Gorge in the Wooroonooran National Park, is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage area south of Cairns in Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

A strangler fig grows among rainforest trees on the Douglas Track, a popular walking and hiking trail through the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics area, starting at Stoney Creek in Kamerunga, Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Under former premier Campbell Newman, the authority spent 18 months without holding a board meeting due to a lack of quorum as efforts to appoint state government-approved directors stalled.

Prior to the state election, MP Sam O'Connor promised that the LNP would do more to support the Wet Tropics Management Authority. Picture: Glenn Hampson

But prior to the state election, the LNP’s Sam O’Connor promised that it would do more to support the body, even hinting at a possible funding increase.

“From my perspective, I’m shocked at how little money they (the authority) get to manage the Wet Tropics,” the current Housing Minister said last October.

“The management funding is critical to me and I don’t think the support has been there for the existing World Heritage listing.”

Shadow environment minister Leanne Linard has questioned the balance of the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s board. Picture: John Gass/NCA NewsWIRE

Ms Linard said the LNP needed to question its priorities when it came to conservation of the Wet Tropics.

“We’re talking about an authority which is managing a World-Heritage listed area, and this only leaves one person on the board with any environmentally scientific background,” she said.

The Cairns birdwing butterfly is one of 230 butterfly species that can be found in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Picture: Wet Tropics Images/Mike Trenerry

The golden bowerbird in the Wet Tropics may also be under threat as the climate changes. Picture: Peter Valentine

Prof Williams, whose research warned of the consequences climate change could have on endemic species found in the World Heritage Area, including for the critically endangered lemuroid ringtail possum, often served as a spokesman for the authority.

Originally published as ‘Deep concern’: Shadow environment minister accuses LNP of stacking Wet Tropics board with business executives