6000 letters prompt Premier's bold new vision for the Kimberley: "One of Australia’s greatest national parks"

WA Premier Colin Barnett is handed 'Don't fail the Whales' petitions at Parliament House, Perth, 27 May 2010. Photo by Tim Nichol

Today the 'Don't Fail the Whales' Collaboration delivered over 6000* individual messages to WA Premier Colin Barnett.

The fantastic community response to the ‘Don't Fail the Whales' campaign demonstrates widespread concern that the Kimberley's 22,000 Humpback whales will not receive proper protection in marine sanctuaries.

The good news from today's handover event: Premier Barnett took a whale balloon and made some bold statements in front of multiple TV cameras and microphones...

The 'Don't Fail the Whales' Collaboration** had welcomed the Premier's earlier promise to ensure that, "the whale calving grounds and this pristine and beautiful part of Western Australia will be preserved forever." However, we were very concerned that his proposals wouldn't go far enough. A small marine park around Camden Sound - including only token sanctuaries - would provide little meaningful protection for the whales and other marine life. For example, if commercial trawl fishing is allowed to continue throughout the marine park, it could destroy precious marine life. The Premier's response today was...

Supporters of the 'Don't fail the Whales' campaign at Parliament House, Perth, 27 May 2010. Photo by Tim Nichol

Protecting the Kimberley Humpback's migratory routes and breeding areas requires a network of large sanctuary areas extending from south of Broome to Camden Sound where they can calve, feed and breed without interference. Also, new marine parks in the Kimberley require Traditional Owner consent and full involvement as managers and rangers.

With less than 1% of marine areas along the Kimberley coast protected, its time the WA Government demonstrated its leadership to preserve this iconic region for generations to come.

In this context we welcome the Premier's statement today outside Parliament House:
"As you know Camden Sound will be made a marine park, and we are looking at extending it across the top of the Kimberley...we are going to ensure there is a connected system of parks on the land as well as in the sea. This will be one of Australia's greatest national parks, and hopefully we'll have it not in place, but the decision made by the end of the year".

This is potentially great news. The first test will be the imminent release of the maps for the first (‘Camden Sound') marine park. He must deliver on his promise of protecting the entire humpback whale calving ground.

Take Action:

You can email the Premier too! Contact him today, wa-government@dpc.wa.gov.au

Further info:

To see more pics from this handover, click here.

* 6200 letters were handed over: 3607 from TWS's "Dont fail the whales Colin" cyberaction; 2200 emails from the www.dontfailthewhales.com website; plus 400 letters signed & collected by the Wilderness Society's Summer Sanctuary Series

** The 'Don't Fail the Whales' Collaboration consists of the Wilderness Society WA, The Conservation Council WA, Environs Kimberley and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.