The Wilderness Society vision for conservation and compatible development in the Kimberley

The Wilderness Society has taken a lead role alongside other major environment groups in producing an important submission outlining what we would like see come out of the WA State government’s election commitment of $9m for a Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy (KS&CS).

Together with Pew Australia, WWF, Environs Kimberley, ACF and the Conservation Council of WA we have delivered the submission with 29 recommendations to the State government as part of its consultation process for the KS&CS.  The submission gives background and context to the recommendations and will be an important benchmark as the government progresses this process.

Our key recommendation is:
That the State Government develop and implement a comprehensive conservation and compatible development plan for the Kimberley, which is based on a broadscale regional planning process and integrates conservation protection and management, Indigenous rights and interests and long term compatible economic development.

Cover of Joint eNGO submission to the Kimberley science and conservation strategy

This recommendation cuts to the core of what is needed in the Kimberley – an end to ad hoc development and under-resourced conservation management and in their place a move to integrated, science-based management of one of the world’s most significant natural and cultural landscapes.

Important to this is the clear identification of conservation compatible development and the ruling out of incompatible activities such as large scale industrial development (e.g. fossil fuel processing and broad scale irrigated agriculture requiring dams).

In keeping with our WildCountry principles the document recommends that, ‘the plan should be based on whole-of-land/seascape principles using the best available scientific, traditional and local knowledge. It should identify and protect the natural and cultural values of the region and clearly identify compatible economic development opportunities for the region, especially in, for example, the ‘culture and conservation’ economy.

Other key recommendations include:

•  Establishment of a comprehensive marine protected area network based on international best practice and a substantial expansion of terrestrial protected areas: and
•  Implementation of a legislative framework for Indigenous ownership, leaseback, management and co-management of State conservation areas.

The document also makes clear that environment groups don’t want to see history repeat itself.  There have been many Kimberley conservation proposals produced by WA governments over the past 30 years, yet most have never been acted upon. The Kimberley is as important to Australia, and the world, as the Great Barrier Reef, but doesn’t enjoy the same level of protection – with only 5.5% protected in terrestrial parks and reserves and no coastal waters protected in any form of marine park.  In order to do this WA will have to get its act together far better on negotiations with Traditional Owners, including recognition of the right to free, prior and informed consent.

The next stage of the government’s plan to develop the KS&CS is a series of public forums chaired by former Liberal Senator Chris Ellison.  Environment groups have already begun engaging with Mr Ellison.

To download our submission to the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy click here.
  kimberley-june-09.pdf — PDF document, 3741Kb

To access Government information on the Kimberley science and conservation strategy / science synthesis document click here.

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