Barnett's Kimberley industry plans threaten Humpback whale Sanctuary

The Wilderness Society (WA) Inc
Media Release
12 August 2008

The Wilderness Society WA has expressed grave concern that recent statements by Opposition leader Colin Barnett promoting the industrialisation of the Kimberley could lead to the demise of the region’s newly discovered Humpback whale sanctuary.

WA State Coordinator Peter Robertson said that talk of turning the Kimberley into WA’s new Pilbara was dangerous and ill-informed and ignored the many strong environmental reasons why such a move would be a disaster.

“The last thing WA needs is a repeat of the Burrup debacle in the pristine Kimberley".

“We would have thought that Mr Barnett would be sensitive to these issues, but it seems not".

“The Kimberley already has a thriving coastal tourism industry which, if well managed, can provide long term sustainable economic benefits to the region, including for Indigenous communities".

“We are calling on both major Parties to commit to protecting the globally significant natural and cultural values of the Kimberley and to ensuring that the region’s Indigenous communities gain far greater benefits and opportunities from existing Kimberley industry including tourism and sustainable fishing".

“For many years promises have been made about conservation planning for the Kimberley and now is the time, as more information comes to light about its importance, to commit to this.”