The establishment of a world heritage area

Abstract

[Extract] Tropical rainforest was often seen as a barrier to progress in northern Queensland and the descriptive terminology used most frequently reflected that (scrub, jungle; see Stork and Turton, Chapter 1, this volume). Clearing the scrub to develop agriculture was a principal task of the early European settlers (see Turton, Chapter 5, this volume), as was the continuing attempt to remove the timber resources. The notion that the rainforest might need protecting from the impacts of human activity was quite weird until very recent times. In a historical review of attitudes towards rainforest in northern Queensland, Valentine (1980) documented numerous antagonistic and utilitarian views from explorers, settlers and government agencies. Indigenous Australians appreciated the qualities of tropical rainforests, which were integral to their culture, economy and society. The wider community has also seen the development of a much more positive view about tropical rainforests over time. One of the first to advocate its protection was John Busst, a local Bingal Bay resident who is best known for his work to save the Great Barrier Reef. He also formed the Rainforest Protection Society in 1962 and was at that time thought somewhat quirky for these ideas. His perspicacity is now acknowledged.