Boardwalk to protect stromatolites at Hamelin Pool

3/12/93

A new boardwalk to protect Shark Bay's unique stromatolites is to be built at Hamelin Pool, Environment Minister Kevin Minson said today.

Mr Minson said BHP Engineering had helped the Department of Conservation and Land Management design a boardwalk which could be built without causing significant long-term impacts on the stromatolites.

The boardwalk would include information boards and would enhance public appreciation of the sites as well as protect the stromatolites.

Tenders for the boardwalk's construction had been advertised and work would begin early next year.

"Increasing numbers of people are visiting the stromatolites which are built by micro-organisms resembling the earliest forms of life on earth," Mr Minson said.

"The microscopic organisms use sediment and organic material to build stromatolites up to 1.5 metres high which is nearly 10 million times their size.

"Their significance to science is inestimable but they are very fragile and can be degraded by visitors walking over the site to view them."

Mr Minson said the boardwalk was just one of a number of developments catering for visitors to the Shark Bay World Heritage area.

He said CALM was also upgrading facilities at Shell Beach and Francois Peron National Park.

A hot artesian pool recently built at Francois Peron National Park had become a major tourist drawcard and a pastoral lifestyle walk trail through the homestead and outbuildings had also been completed.

Once lawns were established, gas barbecues and a shade shelter would be added to the homestead area.

CALM was also making improvements to Shell Beach which had become degraded through uncontrolled vehicle access.

The department had rehabilitated the beach and a new carpark was being built.

Visitor enjoyment of the Shark Bay area would be enhanced by the developments and its environmental values protected from degradation by big numbers of visitors.

Media contact:  Diana Callander 222 9595 or 321 2222