Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee expression of interest

The Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee gives advice to the relevant agencies and ministers on the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission of the Outstanding Universal Value of the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage property to future generations.

The Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee members represent the interests of stakeholders for the Willandra Lakes.

The Willandra Lakes Region Intergovernmental Management Committee is inviting expressions of interest for:

• one tourism representative
• three scientific representatives
• an independent chair.

Specific Aboriginal, landholder and local government and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Advisory Committee representatives are being sought through a separate expression of interest and nomination process.

Applications close on 31 August 2025.

About the committee

World Heritage advisory committees are responsible for providing advice to managing agencies and state and Australian Government ministers responsible for World Heritage, on the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission of World Heritage values.

Current managing agencies for the Willandra Lakes Region are:

• NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
• NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
• NSW Crown Lands
• Department of Housing Planning and Infrastructure
• Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

World Heritage advisory committee members are appointed by the state minister responsible for World Heritage. The chairs are jointly appointed by state and Australian government ministers responsible for World Heritage.

Committee positions

The Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee is an 18-person committee with the following composition:

• 1 independent chair
• 9 Aboriginal representatives from the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Aboriginal Advisory Group
• 2 landholders leaseholders within the World Heritage property
• 3 scientific representatives
• 1 tourism representative
• 1 local government representative
• 1 NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Regional Advisory Committee representative.

Members and the chair of the committee are appointed for a term of 3 years.

Selection criteria

1. Standard selection criteria for all committee member applicants
   • familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage property.
   • familiarity with Australia's obligations under the World Heritage Convention and the implementation of its operational guidelines.
2. Additional selection criterion for the independent chair
   • demonstrated expertise and experience in the operation of technical, scientific and community advisory bodies
3. Additional selection criterion for the tourism representative
   • qualifications, experience and expertise in tourism including input and participation in developing regional, state and/or national tourism master plans.
4. Additional selection criterion for the 3 scientific community representatives
   • qualifications, experience and expertise in research disciplines relevant to the Willandra Lakes Region. This includes geomorphology, archaeology, anthropology, physical anthropology, sociology, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences and landscape conservation and management.
5. Additional selection criterion for the local government representative
   • nomination by NSW local government.
6. Additional selection criterion for the 2 landholders (leaseholders) representatives
   • nomination by the Willandra Landholders Alliance – Landholders are able to appoint 1 proxy for each member on the committee.
7. Additional selection criterion for the 9 Aboriginal representatives
   • appointment by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Aboriginal Advisory Group in accordance with the Aboriginal Advisory Group terms of reference. Aboriginal Advisory Group members are able to have proxies on the committee in-line with their terms of reference.

Duties of all members

• Providing advice to the management agencies and state and Australian government ministers responsible for World Heritage on identification, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission to future generations, of the cultural and natural heritage from a community and academic viewpoint.
• Utilising the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Research Prospectus and Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Aboriginal Advisory Group Research Code of Practice to identifying research priorities that will contribute to the protection and conservation of the outstanding universal value of the Willandra Lakes Region.
• Respecting the tradition of Aboriginal people's rights and aspirations for the Willandra Lakes Region.
• Conducting Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee business consistent with the terms of reference and code of conduct.
• Maintaining adherence to the NSW Government boards and committees guidelines for ethics and conduct at meetings.

Duties of the independent chair

• Chairing meetings in accordance with formal meeting protocols.
• Speaking on behalf of the committee.
• Representing the advisory committee on the Australian World Heritage Advisory Committee.

Remuneration

The committee has been classified as C1 by the Cabinet Office. Remuneration for the committee is:

• chair: $350 daily sitting fee
• member: $220 daily sitting fee.

All travel and accommodation for meeting attendance will be booked and funded by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Members are not entitled to additional remuneration for their participation or membership of subcommittees. Sitting fees are not paid for travel days.

How to apply

• Read the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Advisory Committee terms of reference 
• Read the code of conduct
• Complete the application form (below)
• Provide a covering letter addressing the selection criteria (maximum of 2 pages)
• Provide a current resume (maximum of 4 pages – including 2 referees).

The closing date for expressions of interest is 11:59 pm 31 August 2025

There are 3 options to submit your expression of interest:

1. Online: Complete and submit the form
2. Email: [email protected]
3. Mail: Attention: Dr Dan Rosendahl 
   Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Executive Officer
   NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
   PO Box 318, Buronga, NSW 2719