Posted on November, 08 2002

The Western Australian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published its advisory report stating a proposed resort and marina could go ahead at Maud's Landing on Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia.

Developers are planning to build a resort and marina to cater for over 2,500 people and hundreds of power boats in the heart of Ningaloo Reef — one of the longest fringing coral reefs in the world, and home to 200 species of coral and 500 species of fish. Loggerhead turtles, dugongs, whale sharks, and humpback whales also visit the reef during their annual migrations.

The EPA has said the resort and marina could go ahead, provided its recommended strict environmental conditions are imposed and complied with. The EPA recognises that the proposal will add a heavy burden of human impacts to this fragile coastline. The report recommends that the proposal is not implemented unless the Government initiate a suitable planning and management process for the region, and commit a significant amount of time and money to manage the impacts of the resort and marina. It rightly identifies the environmental risks of the proposal and the considerable resources it will take to manage these environmental impacts.

However, despite ringing these alarm bells over the proposal, the report leaves the door open for the development, by saying that it could go ahead with strict conditions. WWF does not believe that any number of conditions will ever be able to manage the direct and indirect environmental problems created by the marina and resort.

The northwest Australian coastline is a rich marine environment containing the second highest concentration of marine species in the world. Many of these species are found nowhere else on the planet. The fringing reef at Ningaloo is just metres offshore and is therefore extremely vulnerable to human impacts.

WWF warns that the planned development could have devastating environmental consequences. Whale sharks, dugongs, nesting turtles, and migratory birds will be disturbed by the increased numbers of boats.

Following publication of the EPA's report, there is now a public appeal period of 2 weeks before the Minister for the Environment will make a final decision based upon the report and any public appeals upheld against it. This final decision is expected to be at least 6 months away.WWF is calling on people to encourage the Western Australian government to heed the EPA’s warnings about the environmental problems associated with this development, and reject the proposal.

Panda Passport action to save Australia's Ningaloo Reef
Send an e-mail to members of the Western Australian government, asking them to reject the proposal to buld a resort and marina at Ningaloo Reef.

This is an updated e-mail, so even if you have already taken part in this Panda Passport action, please also send the updated e-mail.

For further information:
Liz Brown
Oceans and Coasts Policy Officer, WWF-Australia
E-mail: lbrown@wwf.org.au
Tel: +61 8 9387 6444