New Ningaloo coastal reserves created
Almost 50,000 hectares of new conservation and recreation reserve has been created along the Ningaloo Coast. This area, one of Western Australia’s premier tourism destinations, has a diversity of marine and terrestrial wildlife and many cultural sites.
The newly established conservation land is part of the State Government’s Plan for Our Parks initiative, which aims to increase WA’s conservation estate by five million hectares over five years.
Through a Joint Management Agreement, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service and traditional owners from Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation will together manage approximately 215km of Ningaloo Coast.
The land includes the southern extent of the Cape Range formation from Winderabandi Point to Janes Bay, and a conservation and recreation reserve south of Janes Bay adjacent to Ningaloo Marine Park.
The joint management plan includes the new reserves, as well as the existing Ningaloo Marine Park, Cape Range National Park and proposed eastern additions to Cape Range National Park.
Short to medium term efforts under the joint management plan will focus on rehabilitating tracks and degraded areas around camping spots, as well as implementing strategies to ensure cultural sites are protected and monitored.