Charnley River lease purchased by Government

Environment Minister Bob Pearce today announced the Government's purchase of Charnley River pastoral lease, north of Fitzroy Crossing.

Mr Pearce said the Charnley River lease was strategically located as it was within the boundaries of the proposed Walcott Inlet national park.

The area around Walcott Inlet was recommended as a national park in the Environmental Protection Authority's 1980 System Seven report.

The proposal was endorsed by the Department of Conservation and Land Management when it published its recommendations for nature conservation reserves in the Kimberley last year.

The 36,000 hectare lease is not regarded as a viable pastoral station and has not been stocked with cattle.

Mr Pearce said the lease improved the link between the inlet and the 370,000 hectare Mt Hart station, which was acquired late last year.

"The addition of the Charnley River lease gives the potential for a spectacular conservation area stretching almost 200 kilometres south easterly from the West Kimberley coast through the King Leopold Range," Mr Pearce said.

"CALM will continue negotiations with interested groups, including local Aboriginal communities, before any changes are made to the tenure of the area."