Coastal management plan for Stockyard Creek a reality

26/11/04
A better future for the Stockyard Creek Aboriginal reserve east of Esperance will be made possible through funding provided through the Western Australian Planning Commission's coastal management plan assistance program.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced that the joint application by the Esperance Nyungar community and the Goldfields Land and Sea Council for preparation of a plan for the Stockyard Creek reserve had been successful and that $20,000 had been allocated towards the project.
"This is the first application from an indigenous community under the coastal management plan assistance program," Ms MacTiernan said.
"We allocate $140,000 annually towards this assistance program, which provides expertise, advice and resources to assist in the development of priority coastal plans.
"The Esperance Nyungar and Goldfields Land and Sea Council grant is significant, considering the increasing involvement of indigenous groups in the management of coastal areas in WA.
"Funding for projects such as Stockyard Creek is only made possible through Labor's continued good management of the State's finances and ability to deliver balanced Budgets."
The Stockyard Creek Aboriginal reserve, which lies between Esperance and Cape Le Grand National Park, is an area vested for indigenous use and protection of landscape values.
"The reserve has an unbroken history of use by indigenous people for traditional purposes, however it is being increasingly put under pressure by the proliferation of camping and four-wheel driving by non-indigenous people," the Minister said.
"This uncontrolled access has led to a large number of management issues, such as the need to prevent destruction of flora, loss of vegetation and the erosion of dunes.
"A sound management plan will assist in addressing these problems and enhance the area's cultural and environmental values.
"In particular, the Esperance Nyungar community's use of the land for traditional purposes will be enhanced and they will have a more proactive role in managing the area to ensure it is used in culturally appropriate and environmentally sensitive ways."
The plan is expected to be completed by about mid-2005 and will be implemented in stages in co-operation with a range of natural resource management and community-based organisations.
Minister's office: 9213 6400