One of Western Australia’s most famous natural attractions is to be protected for future generations by the creation of a 160-square-kilometre national park and a 3,000-square-kilometre marine park.
The Horizontal Falls – on the Kimberley’s Buccaneer Archipelago – is actually a set of parallel gorges with narrow openings which creates a waterfall-like effect when seawater surges through. It is a natural phenomenon which draws an enormous number of grey nomads and other tourists to the area. However, the growth in mining and industrial activities in the Kimberley has alarmed many who fear it will destroy the magic of the unique region.
The state government says the new parks will be Class A reserves, which provide “the highest possible protection” for natural and cultural sites.
The Horizontal Falls marine park will cover nearly 3000 square kilometres south of Camden Sound, and will protect coral reefs, dolphins, and mangrove systems. However, the reserve will continue to be used for recreational fishing and tourism.
Pew Environment Group’s Kimberley Conservation Project director John Carey said it was a “significant win” for the environment.
“Protecting the Kimberley coast and its marine and bird life provides a balance to the rapid spread of mining and other industrial development,” he said. “We have benefited from the mining boom, but it is a practical and logical step to take to also give something back to safeguard our natural heritage.”
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Forgive my cynicism. This announcement is more about distracting attention from the WA government’s intent to industrialise most of the Kimberley, starting with the ‘Gas hub’ at James Price Point just north of Broome. They are treating the law with disdain, preparing now to drill into recognised aboriginal sacred burial grounds. If this gas hub goes ahead, it will cut off the path for migrating whales to their calving grounds in Camden Sound which this new announcement protects. What a joke. Protect the tourist destination whilst giving the go ahead to destroy all that makes the Kimberley not only an Australian icon, but o e of the last true wilderness areas on our planet. Once the gas hub is built, then comes the smelter, the roads, the mines etc etc ….. All that bauxite to line someone’s pocket just sitting there up on the Mitchell Plateau waiting to be dug up.
Don’t be fooled by this announcement. The state & federal governments are in this together. The Americans are waiting to exploit our heritage & to destroy the culture & country of the Goolarabooloo & their brethren across the Kimberley. Once it’s gone it’s gone.