Fossil wonderland submitted for World Heritage listing
An Australian house containing evidence of animal life dating back 600 million years will be put forward as the country’s next World Heritage Site.
The Flinders Ranges, about 400 kilometers north of Adelaide, have been nominated to join the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru among Australia’s world-renowned natural wonders.
An area covering more than 58,000 hectares in three national parks will be assessed by UNESCO.
The decision on whether the area will be protected or not is expected to be made in 2027.
Interest has focused on the rugged terrain, with the Flinders Ranges the only Australian region to make this year’s Lonely Planet list of the world’s best places to visit.
The mountain range is unique as a place where the emergence of the world’s first complex animals can be observed between 672 and 510 million years ago.
They also contain the world’s most comprehensive set of Ediacaran fossils.
“The test of whether something is eligible for World Heritage listing is that it is of outstanding universal value,” federal Environment Minister Murray Watt told ABC News on Saturday.
“The global importance of the oldest animal life on Earth warrants World Heritage listing and the protection that results from it.”
It’s not just prehistoric animals that need to be better protected through World Heritage listing; This area also contains many endangered native species.
Yellow-footed rock wallaby, western quoll and thick-billed grass wren will all benefit from extra environmental protection.
UNESCO requires that all World Heritage proposals be approved by relevant First Nations communities before they can be considered.
In June, the Adnyamathanha Common Law Holders approved the site’s assessment of World Heritage status.
“The people of Adnyamathanha have contributed greatly to keeping us front and center on the world stage by providing our cultural knowledge,” Elder Charles Jackson said.
“This contribution is so important and represents an example of working together at a time of so many divisions and challenges for Aboriginal people.”
Former pastoral land has been purchased to add an extra 4,500 hectares to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park and support the bid.
South Australian Environment Minister Lucy Hood said the nomination had been planned for 10 years.
The 368-page presentation comes with almost 4,000 pages of supporting material.
“Achieving World Heritage status will mean the iconic tourist destination is recognized as something you won’t find anywhere else,” Ms Hood said.
inclusion status prestigious list It will likely bring economic benefit to the region by attracting more international tourists.
The federal government has always been at odds with UNESCO, which has come under fire over the worsening condition of the Great Barrier Reef.
Senator Watt said he was working to ensure the UN committee did not put the reef on the endangered list.
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