WCC 2016 Res 031 - Activity Report

Parks Australia partnered with global tech giant Google to showcase the walking trails and spectacular vistas of Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kakadu and Christmas Island National Parks, and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to a global audience. It is estimated the media coverage reached a global audience over 35 million people, and the Street View site still has the footage.

In partnership with the Australian National University, Rewilding Australia, Taronga Zoo, WWF, Sanctuaries and Community eastern quolls were released into Booderee National Park in March 2018. Traditional owners have an important role in this program and it has provided opportunities for employment and training of young indigenous staff in technical field skills including animal tracking and handling, radio tracking of introduced mammals and management of feral species.

The significant decision to close the Uluru climb on 26 October 2019 represents the fulfilment of the long-held wishes of Anangu, the traditional owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta. The date for closing the climb, 26 October, is significant to Anangu as it was on this date in 1985 that the park was handed back to them. The closure of the climb is an opportunity to create new visitor experiences based on cultural and natural values, and to set a new direction and future for the park. This aligns with the Board’s vision that Uluru–Kata Tjuta is a place where Anangu law and culture is kept strong for future generations.

Australia’s National Representative System of Marine Protected Areas covers around 3.3 million square kilometres or 37 per cent of Australia’s marine jurisdiction. The Australian Government’s Director of National Parks manages around 2.8 million square kilometres of this system in 58 Australian Marine Parks. The area of marine parks managed under management plans by the Director increased six-fold on 1 July 2018.