Colourful whale action for Kimberley protection

The Wilderness Society (WA) Inc
Conservation Council of WA
Environs Kimberley
WWF
Kimberley Marine Tourism Association

Media Release
28th August 2008

Conservation groups and the Kimberley Marine Tourism Association will today deliver letters and thousands of signed postcards to WA politicians Colin Barnett and Alan Carpenter calling for the protection of the Kimberley’s unique natural values including its coral reefs and islands from unchecked industrialisation.

A colourful “whale migration” of postcards signed by thousands of Western Australian’s will arrive at Premier Carpenter’s office on St George’s Tce to deliver the message that the Kimberley region must be protected. There will be huge whale tails, inflatable dolphins, a crowd of people dressed in blue, and speakers from the conservation sector. The postcards will be delivered via a long human chain.
 
What: WA voters deliver strong and colourful message to the major political parties calling for protection of the Kimberley
When: Thurs 28th Aug 12:15pm
Where: Governor Stirling Tower, 197 St Georges Terrace, Perth

Wilderness Society WA Kimberley Campaigner Josh Coates said:
“WA voters are sending a clear message to the political parties that they want to see the unspoilt natural values of the remote Kimberley region protected. We are calling on both major Parties to make firm and adequately resourced commitments 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 and future Kimberley industry including tourism and sustainable fishing.”

Conservation Council of WA spokesperson Tim Nicol said: “WA has a unique opportunity in the Kimberley to protect a place of great value to the world for its outstanding unspoilt biodiversity, scenery and living Indigenous culture.  Today environment groups are delivering a message from WA voters that ad hoc development of LNG plants or giant bauxite strip mines are a threat to the Kimberley.  The Kimberley deserves the highest levels of protection.”  

Environs Kimberley Director Maria Mann said “All political parties need to commit to protecting the unique and marvellous nature of the Kimberley while at the same time supporting appropriate and sustainable industries that benefit Indigenous communities economically, socially and culturally.”

WWF-Australia Senior Policy Advisor Paul Gamblin said: “The biodiversity and cultural values of the islands, coast and coral reefs of the Kimberley are of outstanding global importance.  All political parties need to commit to a comprehensive process - which must support consultation by Traditional Owners.. This process would identify and protect these values before any industrial development is considered in the Kimberley, in particular, ensuring that any LNG development is contained to a single hub if an appropriate site can be found, including Pilbara options. 

Save The Kimberley spokesperson Peter Tucker said: “The Kimberley coast and marine environment is one of the last unspoilt places on Earth.  People should be able to visit here forever without seeing the scars of industrialisation on this place of unmatched natural beauty, the breeding ground for whales and turtles; the home of coral reefs, mangrove forests and hundreds of fish species.”