Ningaloo Reef’s nursery is under threat

Proposed planning amendments may soon open the gate to industrial development on the shores of Exmouth Gulf. If you love Ningaloo, it’s time to step up and defend it.

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Protect Ningaloo is a grassroots initiative by ordinary people who are inspired by one of the world’s last great places and want to protect it.

Who are we?

We are supported by an alliance of community groups and charities. Cape Conservation Group is a volunteer organization based in Exmouth. The Conservation Council of WA is the state’s premier environmental NGO. The Australian Marine Conservation Society is the nation’s peak marine charity. All of these groups were members of the historic Save Ningaloo Reef campaign that ran from 2000-2005. We’re supported by scientists, researchers, tourism operators, rec-fishers, birders and enthusiastic amateur nature lovers from all over the world. We’re strapped for cash, short of time and we’re in the fight of our lives but we hope you’ll feel the passion and help us however you can.

What do we want?

We want to put the welfare of the Reef, the Range and the Gulf first in all development decisions. We’re determined to protect and preserve the extraordinary ecosystems that make up the Ningaloo Region. But to do that we need to restore some precautionary principles to coastal planning locally. We need to tell the WA and Commonwealth governments that Ningaloo’s Nursery needs protection not industrialisation. We want to celebrate a wonder of the world and save it from degradation. The only way we’ll achieve that is to get the news out and rally the passion of people like you. Protect Ningaloo supports a sustainable, creative future for the region.

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Ningaloo’s Nursery

Exmouth Gulf is a rare and precious estuarine system in Australia’s north west. Surrounded by mangroves, white beaches and rugged ranges, it’s home to hundreds of incredible species of sea life. Still unspoilt by development, it’s crucial to the health of nearby Ningaloo Reef, one of the world’s last healthy coral reefs. Ningaloo Reef and the Cape Range are already on the World Heritage List. But the IUCN says that the Gulf has World Heritage values too and needs more protection. Scientists regard the Reef and the Gulf as critically interconnected systems. The Gulf is where the fish, sharks and crabs are born.

It’s where humpback whales come to give birth and nurse their calves. It’s a playground for humans, too, supporting the sustainable eco-tourism hub of Exmouth. This is where you go to see dugongs, manta rays and leaping whales. But now oil and gas players want to open the Gulf to industry. Proposals that would never be contemplated at the Reef are now being actively promoted for Exmouth Gulf.

New threat from oil and gas

The Shire of Exmouth is considering planning amendments that open the door to industry in Exmouth Gulf. Until recently this was considered unthinkable. Subsea 7, a multinational company, wants to build an oil and gas pipe assembly plant and launch site at Heron Point, a secluded bit of beach and bushland in the southern part of the Gulf. Huge lengths of steel pipe will be assembled on land and rolled to the shore on rail lines to be launched from a 350m rockwall.

Then the pipes will be dragged along the seabed approximately 1.5 kilometres until they’re floated. After that they’ll be towed by tugs through the whale nursery and dugong foraging grounds and dragged through the World Heritage Ningaloo Marine Park before being hauled across the horizon to offshore platforms up to 2000 kilometres away. Locals, tourism operators, rec-fishers and scientists are aghast.

Just when Ningaloo’s Nursery could do with extra protection this rich ecosystem and the iconic nature tourism hub that depends on it are put at risk. And it if it goes ahead it will pave the way for more of the same. Something remarkable and unrepeatable could be ruined forever.

Superego

“This stretch of the West Australian coast is extremely special. Each of us travelled to Ningaloo as kids with our families. It evokes such warm nostalgia. The magic must be preserved for future generations. Fight for the Exmouth Gulf and Ningaloo!”

Roger Swainston

“The southern Exmouth Gulf is a very special place. It’s a rare and valuable combination; untouched, still largely unknown and right on our doorstep. As a vital part of the whole World Heritage Ningaloo ecosystem we must preserve and protect its integrity. We cannot allow its vast uninterrupted spaces, its great sweeping shallows and the life they nurture to be destroyed by allowing industrial develop in this precious southern gulf.”

Ben Elton

“When will we say enough is enough? Short term profit for a few and a deceptively small (and short term) contribution to jobs and the local economy are a pretty poor trade off for what is left of our natural world. The only answer is renewable energy and a halt to this insane planetary vandalism. We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.”

Missy Higgins

“The world is losing wild places fast and Ningaloo is one of the last we have. So let’s defend Ningaloo’s Nursery from industrialisation. Join protectningaloo.org.au.”

Fiona Stanley

“It’s important that we have a long-term vision that ensures our children have a healthy and sustainable future, and to do that we need to protect our natural environment from pollution, degradation and industrial pressure. Safeguarding precious ecosystems like Exmouth Gulf is vital. Our children’s futures are at stake.”

John Butler

“Almost twenty years ago we stood together to protect our precious Ningaloo Reef from industrialization, and once again we’re being called to do the same Ningaloo’s nursery in Exmouth Gulf. We the Australian community have to protect our natural wonders from a fossil fuel industry that’s had its day and should make way for renewables.”

Bernard Fanning

“Ningaloo is precious, and so is the Gulf that keeps it alive. Fight for Exmouth Gulf.”

Tim Winton

“Australians love Ningaloo and they’ll fight for it. 100,000 of them proved that back in 2003 and they made history. Once they hear what’s being planned for Ningaloo’s Nursery they’ll rise up and do it again.”

Peter Garrett

“Ningaloo Reef is a miracle and a gift. It’s one of the last great wild places left on earth, so why would anyone put Ningaloo’s nursery at risk? Don’t let it happen. Protect Ningaloo!”

Luc Longley

“I was proud to be a part of Save Ningaloo back in the day, and I’m still proud to support Protect Ningaloo. The Gulf needs more protection, not more pressure.”

Our Patron

Tim Winton

Australia’s most famous author, and listed as a Living Treasure by the National Trust, Tim Winton has been a conservation advocate for 25 years, and was prominent in the historic Save Ningaloo Campaign in the 2000s.

“I’m proud to support these passionate Australians fighting for a place we all love. I hope you’ll help them out to Protect Ningaloo and save Exmouth Gulf.”