Draft strategy a blueprint to protect Ningaloo coast

3/5/04
The State Government would move immediately to exercise development control over the coastal strip between Carnarvon and Exmouth and establish a Ningaloo Sustainable Development Authority, Premier Geoff Gallop said today.
The Premier and Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan released the draft report: the Carnarvon-Ningaloo Coast: Planning for Sustainable Tourism and Land Use, for public comment over the next two months.
"The Ningaloo Reef and coastal strip are amongst Western Australia's most important environmental icons," Dr Gallop said.
"But as the area's popularity and development pressures increase, one of our most popular stretches of remote coastline is in danger of being 'loved to death'.
"Good planning and strong development controls are needed to cope with increasing people pressure and prevent inappropriate developments, such as the Maud's Landing development I rejected last year.
"This draft strategy addresses these issues.
"Under the strategy, the towns of Carnarvon and Exmouth will serve as the 'gateways' to the Ningaloo coast and coastal development in other areas will be limited to small-scale, low-impact development.
"High impact developments such as marinas and canals are inappropriate in areas outside Carnarvon and Exmouth, and will not be permitted.
"The State Government has committed to ensuring that future management of the Carnarvon-Ningaloo coast protects the world-class natural values of the Ningaloo coast while enabling sensitive development of the region as a nature-based tourism destination of international significance."
Dr Gallop said the strategy placed a moratorium on any further development in Coral Bay until power, water and sewerage infrastructure had been provided and there would be a long-term cap of 3,600 on the number of overnight visitors in Coral Bay.
The Ningaloo Sustainable Development Authority would only allow further development in Coral Bay, up to the 3,600 cap, where it was satisfied that the overall cumulative impact of development was consistent with protection of the local environment.
"Camping along the coast will continue, although it will progressively be brought under better management to ensure degradation of the coast does not occur due to the increasing numbers seeking a remote camping experience," the Premier said.
He also confirmed the State Government's commitment to progressing a World Heritage nomination for the Ningaloo coast - a commitment echoed by Federal Labor Leader Mark Latham last week.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said given the significance of the area and the need for strong development control to prevent ad hoc or inappropriate development, the Government would establish a Ningaloo Sustainable Development Authority.
"The authority will have a strong environmental focus, to ensure that individual development has as little impact as possible, and that development is staged in a manner that is consistent with the area's values," Ms MacTiernan said.
"The authority will promote, co-ordinate and facilitate low-impact, nature-based tourism developments consistent with the plans, policies and guidelines outlined in the strategy.
"In the interim period before legislation is introduced to establish the authority, a Ningaloo Sustainable Development Office will be established in Carnarvon.
"To ensure that development outcomes are consistent with the draft strategy and the values of the area, the Western Australian Planning Commission will proceed to establish immediate statutory planning control through the preparation of a region scheme and a regional interim development order."
The report is available from the Western Australian Planning Commission website at http://www.wapc.wa.gov.au
Public consultation is an essential part of the Government's strategic planning process and individuals, groups, businesses and local government are encouraged to make a submission.
Media contacts:
Premier's Office 9222 9475
Minister's Office 9213 6400