Expanding Western Australia’s conservation estate

Revolver Falls on the edge of Lake Argyle in the Kimberley is Western Australia’s largest single drop waterfall. Image credit: Pinterest

A landmark Indigenous Land Use Agreement has been signed with the Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation, securing the protection of Country with outstanding biodiversity conservation and cultural values in the East Kimberley.

The agreement paves the way for 170,000 hectares of land to be added to Western Australia’s conservation estate, with 85,000 hectares reserved immediately and an additional 85,000 hectares to follow.

These areas hold significant cultural importance for the Miriuwung Gajerrong and include the newly created Revolver Falls National Park, Packsaddle National Park, new reserves near Lake Argyle, proposed additions to the North Kimberley Marine Park, and the proposed Cape Domett National Park.

The newly protected areas will complement existing tourism attractions such as Mirima National Park and local sites like Andy’s Chasm and Packsaddle Springs.

The inclusion of extensive intertidal zones into the North Kimberley Marine Park will nearly double its size between Cape Domett and the Northern Territory border, protecting vital habitats for threatened species such as sawfish, barramundi, threadfin salmon, and mud crabs.

This agreement is part of the State Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, which has created more than 6.5 million hectares of new conservation estate.