The latest: A company called Gascoyne Gateway want to build an industrial port near Exmouth. Yes, you read that correctly! The project would involve the construction of a causeway and pylon wharf about 1km long, and dredging of seabed habitat. It would attract massive ships (such as cruise liners, oil and gas support vessels, bulk cargo carriers and fuel tankers) deep into the Gulf. The more we learn about this proposal, the more concerned we are about it – and so are scientists, Exmouth locals and tourist operators.  

Meanwhile, directly across the Gulf from Exmouth in a remote area that is completely undeveloped, a global multinational called K+S Group proposes to construct a large salt production and barging operation which poses risks to the significant environmental values of this area.

This all means that despite the amazing news about Subsea 7, our work isn’t over, but it’s heartening to know that for now, our voices are being heard.

Click here for more on recent developments or sign-up to our mailing list below and always be up to date.

Worth the Risk?

Please help us stop the Gascoyne Gateway industrial port and protect Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo.

We can still stop this proposal but we need your help. Please add your name to this letter to the Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson, WA Minister for Environment, calling for her to stop industrialisation of Exmouth Gulf and protect its environment, wildlife and nature-based economy!

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 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.

New threats from deepwater port and industrial salt production

While Subsea 7 has withdrawn its plans to build a large pipeline fabrication facility and towing operation in Exmouth Gulf, the Gulf is still under threat from industrialisation.

Gascoyne Gateway Ltd wants to build a major deepwater port south of Exmouth and on the other side of the Gulf, multinational, K+S Salt is looking to develop a massive salt production and barging facility over a tidal wetlands system which is of great importance for habitat and wildlife conservation.  Follow the above links to find out more about the threats these projects pose to the Gulf’s globally significant environment.

Industrial development would damage the region’s natural assets and eco-tourism brand, and threaten jobs in the tourism industry. It’s so important that we do everything we can to protect the vulnerable Ningaloo-Exmouth Gulf ecosystem from one industrial development proposal after another.

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.