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.
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.
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.
ABOUT NINGALOO
THE THREAT
HOW YOU CAN HELP
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.
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.
How you can help
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Our Patron
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. He says: ‘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.’
Alliance Partners
Supporters
