By Roy Weavers

The Hon Kate Jones MP, on behalf of the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council, recently made the very welcome announcement of the appointment of Associate Professor Peter Valentine as Chair of the WTMA Board. 

Peter brings with him an impressive knowledge of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area from his career at James Cook University, spanning more than three decades. He has long been committed to caring for World Heritage Areas and was involved in the establishment and listing of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

According to the media release we received from the Ministers office, the World Heritage rainforests stretching from Cooktown to Townsville will remain in safe hands following the appointment of a new chairperson to the Wet Tropics Management Authority.

Ms Jones said Associate Professor Valentine, who is the Head of School with Earth and Environmental Sciences at James Cook University in Townsville, had contributed to heritage conservation at regional, national and international levels.

“Associate Professor Valentine is a highly respected leader in both academic and policy spheres,” she said.

“From 1989 to 2002, he chaired the Natural Environment Evaluation Panel for North Queensland, evaluating the heritage value of sites for the Australian Heritage Commission.

“He is also Director, World Heritage, with the local Wet Tropics resource management organisation, Terrain.”

Ms Jones said Associate Professor Valentine’s local knowledge would back up Queensland’s commitment to regional leadership of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

“The Wet Tropics is an area close to Associate Professor Valentine’s home and heart,” Ms Jones said.

“He will lead the already strong team that comprises the Wet Tropics Management Authority’s independent Board of Directors.

“Like other members of the board, he was appointed by the Wet Tropics Ministerial Council, which is made up of representatives from the Queensland and Federal Governments.”

The Authority is charged with managing the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area according to Australia's obligations under the World Heritage Convention.
The previous chairperson, Lieutenant General John Grey, retired in 2009.
For more information on the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, visit www.wettropics.gov.au