UNESCO Expresses Concerns About Fraser Island Fire Damage

The United Nations’ world heritage body has raised concern over the impact of bushfires, which scorched more than half of Fraser Island and sparked a high-level state government investigation.

Queensland’s Inspector General of Emergency Management has now called for public submissions as part of the review, which will examine the state’s preparedness and response to the blaze and will hold community forums in the new year.

A group will face court over an out-of-control campfire that allegedly started the Fraser Island bushfire.

In the first public comments on the Fraser Island bushfire from UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, the body said it shared fears raised over possible impacts on the island’s cultural and environmental values after the fire left 87,000 hectares burnt.

“The World Heritage Centre expresses concerns over on-going bushfires at Fraser Island World Heritage area in Australia, the largest sand island in the world, and solidarity with the people affected by the blaze,” it said in a statement.

“The World Heritage Centre is in close communication and collaboration with the Australian authorities, who continue to monitor the situation and are taking all feasible measures to fight against the fire and assess any potential impacts on the Outstanding Universal Value of the property.”

Fraser Island, also known by its Indigenous name K’gari, was added to the World Heritage List in 1992 and is also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Ramsar wetland site.

It was listed for its ancient coastal dune-based rainforests, rare and threatened wildlife and half of the world’s perched freshwater dune lakes.

While day-to-day management of the island is the responsibility of the state government, overarching protection of these values falls under national legislation.

The federal Environment Department has previously said staff were in ongoing discussion with Queensland counterparts and would brief the UNESCO World Heritage Centre once the damage could be assessed.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services declared the bushfire contained on December 13, two months after it was allegedly sparked by an illegal campfire in the island’s north. Four people charged over the incident last week face fines of up to $22,000.

Criticism has been levelled at the state government, and agencies including the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, for a perceived delay in escalating efforts to fight the bushfires. While assisting QPWS in the weeks prior, QFES only took a lead role in late November.

An Inspector General of Emergency Management review of the state’s preparedness and response to the fire, announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk less than one week later, has now opened for public submissions until January 22.

Now-published terms of reference state the review would also “have regard to the cultural and environmental significance of K’gari as reflected in relevant management plans, and its UNESCO World Heritage listing”.

The office would work closely with QFES, the Queensland Environment Department, QPWS, Queensland Police, the Butchulla traditional owners, and local stakeholders.

Reviews of the 2018 and 2019 bushfire events, along with relevant findings and recommendations from the recent bushfire royal commission, would also be considered.

As part of the review, community and business forums will be held on the island and Hervey Bay in January.

A report will be provided to Fire and Emergency Services Minister Crag Crawford and Police Minister Mark Ryan by March 31.