Although the so-called Wet Tropics rainforests
of North Queensland were inscribed on the World Heritage List in
1988, little was known about the biological diversity of the
region, and the burgeoning tourism industry had little information.
Furthermore, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, charged with the
responsibility of developing policies that would lead to the
protection of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, required a
strong scientific basis for such policies. By the end of the first
phase of the Rainforest CRC, they had developed a strong
biodiversity knowledge base that supported the development of
planning and conservation policy by agencies such as the Wet
Tropics Management Authority.
In 1999, the Minister for Education, Science and
Training announced that the Rainforest CRC was successful in
seeking a second term of funding. In the previous year, the
Centre's Fifth Year Review panel had made the following
comment:
"The Cooperative Research Centre for Tropical Rainforest Ecology
and Management (CRC-TREM) was funded to establish world class
research in rainforest ecology and in the transfer of research
outcomes to users of research in conservation and management. In
five years it has made remarkable progress towards achieving these
objectives and has become one of the top three institutions of its
kind in the world."
Although great progress had been made in meeting the research needs
and aspirations of the region's stakeholders, much research was
still required for these to be fully realised. The new Rainforest
CRC had grown from its first phase structure of just five partners,
with the Wet Tropics Management Authority identified as the key
industry stakeholder, to now include stakeholders representing the
tourism industry, local and State Governments, natural resource
management bodies and Indigenous groups. The Business Plan of 1999
reflected the various aspirations of the new stakeholders, and in
the last seven years, the Rainforest CRC has gone a long way to
meet these aspirations. Today, it is difficult to identify any
tropical forest region in the world that has such an in-depth
knowledge and strong management base.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to support the sustainable use,
management and conservation of Australia's tropical rainforests
through world class research, training and technology transfer.
Our vision is to see the rainforests of Australia managed and
utilised in a scientifically sound and sustainable manner to yield
economic and social benefits to the community while ensuring
conservation of the unique cultural and natural features of the
rainforest.
Rainforest CRC's Objectives
Regional Management:
To create a management framework for ecologically sustainable
management and conservation of rainforest regions.
Regional Conservation:
To provide a sound scientific basis for conservation and
management of the rainforest's natural and cultural features.
Rainforest Tourism:
To assist in the development of a vibrant tourism industry that
is in harmony with the rainforest resource on which its long term
existence depends.
Indigenous Involvement:
To promote Indigenous involvement in all facets of research and
management which will incorporate recognition and respect for
Indigenous rights and interests.
Rainforests Globally:
To establish the Rainforest CRC as a model for delivery of
rainforest research and sustainable management.
Centre Management:
To continue as a major international and international force
will into the 21st Century.
