Outback Australia Updates

New agreement supports Indigenous and conservation goals for the Great Western Woodlands - March 09, 2010

The Wilderness Society and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council have signed an important agreement to work together for the protection of WA’s extraordinary Great Western Woodlands.The partners will develop a co-operative approach along with other land users to safeguard the ecology and cultural values of the region, and to ensure land justice and economic opportunities for the region’s Traditional Owners. 

Leading Scientists call for urgent protection of the Great Western Woodlands - January 26, 2010

Growing concern about uncontrolled wildfires and poor management of the globally significant Great Western Woodlands in the south west of WA has prompted more than 50 leading Australian and international environmental scientists to issue a public alert to the West Australian Premier Colin Barnett calling for urgent action to ensure long term sustainable use and conservation outcomes.

SA Government announces proposal for the Nuyts Archipelago and the Investigator Group of Islands to become Wilderness Protection Areas. - December 20, 2009

The South Australian Goverment has announced a proposal for the Nuyts Archipelago and Investigator Group of Islands on the State's Far West Coast to become Wilderness Protection Aareas.  The Government is seeking public comment on the proposal and submissions are due on 5 February 2010.

Creating a Conservation Plan that Works for the Great Western Woodlands - December 15, 2009

It is important that the Biodiversity Conservation Plan due to be released soon by WA government adequately addresses the threats to the Great Western Woodlands, as well as providing protection to areas of outstanding natural and cultural importance. Consultation with stakeholders and the community needs to continue into the future.

Seeking to entrench mining in the middle of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary is NOT “seeking a balance”. - December 03, 2009

The Northern Territory Government would not mine Uluru, the Queensland Government would not mine the Great Barrier Reef, so why is the South Australian Government seeking to entrench mining in the middle of the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary? ACT NOW to save Arkaroola.

Release of the report: Carbon Stocks in the Great Western Woodlands - November 04, 2009

The Australian National University (ANU) has produced a report on the biomass carbon stocks in the Great Western Woodlands. The research showed there is currently almost one billion tones of carbon in the Great Western Woodlands – almost 50 times Western Australia’s annual emissions!

“Not all that Glistens is Gold”— eucalypts of the Great Western Woodlands - October 08, 2009

The Great Western Woodlands is the heart of eucalypt diversity in Australia, with 30% of all species found in the region.

Birds of the Great Western Woodlands - June 05, 2009

The richness and diversity of the GWW's plant and animal communities are worthy of world recognition. In terms of biodiversity alone, the GWW ranks with the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics.

Not surprisingly, the GWW is also a spectacular place for birdwatching. More than 150 species are found in the region.

NT Election - put an end to destructive land clearing - July 30, 2008

During the course of the Northern Territory election campaign, The Wilderness Society is running an advertising campaign, calling on all the political parties to pledge to protect the Territory’s forests, woodlands and rivers from destructive land clearing.

Mining suspended in victory for Arkaroola - February 17, 2009

In a major victory for the campaign to protect the internationally significant Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in South Australia from mining, SA Premier Mike Rann announced on Tuesday 12 February that the Government is suspending drilling operations at Mount Gee indefinitely.