Saturday, March 30, 2024

World Heritage forty years on

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Ian Hutton, The Lord Howe Island Signal

Not long after I came to live on Lord Howe Island in 1980, I met Warren Nicholls, who was with the Australian Heritage Commission and had been working on processing the nomination of Lord Howe Island for World Heritage Listing. Warren was also instrumental in having my first book on Lord Howe Island published (Australian Council of National Trusts, 1985) and I have kept in contact with him on his visits over the years. When we met up in May this year, I reflected it was 40 years since the World Heritage Listing and asked him to pen some of his observations on the Island over that time.

Well, haven’t we come a long way since the World Heritage listing by UNESCO of the Lord Howe Island Group in 1982.  A long way and a most impressive way.

My involvement with Lord Howe Island began in 1982.  I am a biologist and I was then working with the Australian Heritage Commission and it was that agency that acted for the Australian Government in processing nominations, under the World Heritage Convention, for Australian sites to the World Heritage List.

The nomination was prepared and forwarded by the NSW Government to the Australian Government. It carried with it the imprimatur of the then Premier, Neville Wran – a strong advocate for the Island. Consideration and inscription on the World Heritage List of the Lord Howe Island Group by the World Heritage Committee took place at its meeting in Paris in December 1982.

With so much ongoing discussion about the Island, its heritage values, its beauty and great walking opportunities, my family pressured me for us all to have our next holiday on the Island. We did and we were not disappointed. We all had the most wonderful holiday enjoying the hospitality and friendliness of the Islanders, the reefs and their attendant fish, corals and algae, the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere and stunning walks. We even, with the help of our intrepid guide Chris Murray, all made it to the stunning summit of Mt Gower. The younger son Andrew was only 7 years old and was delighted to be informed that he was the youngest person to walk to the top at that time. Elder son Timothy was not to be out done and won a long-distance age group race along with a dinner for the family at an Island resort.

Move on 40 years and many subsequent visits to this Paradise on Earth (Shhhh, don’t tell anyone else) and the Island’s attractions just get better and better. So much so that my two boys (ok, men) now revisit the Island with their families. You just get hooked on this truly special place.

So, on my most recent visit in April 2022, what are the changes that I notice. The Islanders are still so friendly and hospitable. Ned’s Beach is still a great place to snorkel and feed the fish. The trek up Mt Gower is still challenging and just as rewarding with its spectacular views (although now safer with the addition of ropes at certain points).

But there are other changes. Noticeable and for the good.

The construction of a solar farm to reduce enormously the use of diesel and the associated risks to the environment from diesel. It is so well sited that it is not noticeable to a casual tourist

The major change that I observe is the explosion in the numbers of those adorable woodhens. 40 years ago, we saw a couple up at the summit of Mt Gower. Now they are in abundance across the Island.

Back to that later. Please bear with me while I digress a little. To receive World Heritage status a place must have outstanding universal values – easily met on Lord Howe Island. But the place must also meet strict conditions associated with its integrity and naturalness. At the listing of the Island in 1982 there were questions raised about certain feral animals and plants on the Island. The integrity level was accepted but was to be monitored. As some Islanders might have read, the World Heritage Committee is closely evaluating the Great Barrier Reef’s World Heritage values and the risks that the Reef is facing. Should the values be diminished below a certain threshold, the Reef could be either placed on the World Heritage in Danger List or even, if circumstances warrant, delisted entirely.

This can happen to any World Heritage Site.

This is why, since inscription, there has been a programme of improving the conservation status of the Lord Howe Woodhen through the eradication of feral pigs, cats and goats. This has contributed significantly to the enhancement of World Heritage values beyond their status at listing and is recognized by UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee. The rat eradication program is particularly noteworthy on a World scale as this animal is notoriously difficult to eliminate. Our fingers are crossed for the continuing work on eradicating the rats from the recent breach of quarantine.

Along with the removal of feral animals there has been an expansive program to remove weeds from the Island. Working in concert with the Board staff there has been an ongoing commitment by a host of volunteers from Islanders and non-Islanders to weed out these feral plants.

The enormous success of the animal and plant eradication programs is shown in the remarkable increase in bird life. This is evident within the settlement area but particularly so in the more remote parts of the Island.

From a regular tourist to the Island – a big congratulation to all concerned.  It shows the determination of the Lord Howe Island Board to meet one of its Visions:  The Island community is strong and sustainable, and the Island environment is protected and enhanced for the benefit of all.

For UNESCO and the World Heritage Committee it shows a determination of Lord Howe Islanders, the NSW Government and the Federal Government to address the strategic objectives of the World Heritage Convention. These include:

  • Strengthen the Credibility of the World Heritage List.
  • Ensure the effective Conservation of World Heritage properties.
  • Increase public awareness, involvement, and support for World Heritage through communication.
  • Enhance the role of communities in the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.

The various conservation programs on Lord Howe Island are a truly magnificent example to the world on what can be achieved in conserving and protecting World Heritage sites. There are too many examples where this has not been the case.

So, finally, a massive thank you to all the people who work so hard to ensure that the natural World Heritage Values of your beautiful Island and its surrounds are protected, conserved and enhanced. This on behalf of one tourist family who well know that the sentiments are strongly echoed by all the tourists who visit Lord Howe Island.

And it is extra special to now witness that my granddaughters have fallen under the spell of this magical Island.

Warren Nicholls

The Lord Howe Island Signal 30 June 2022

This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 30 June 2022.

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