Ningaloo Heritage Plans

"Ningaloo World Heritage plans released for public comment

World Heritage status for the Ningaloo Reef has moved a step closer with the beginning of a consultation program to determine the boundaries to be used in the nomination.

Environment Minister Mark McGowan announced the move in Exmouth today when he released an independent committee's report on the proposal to nominate the North West Cape-Ningaloo Reef area for inscription on the World Heritage List along with a map of a proposed boundary.

The report, commissioned in June 2004, proposed a number of options for World Heritage listing and was an important source of information for stakeholders in having a say on what the nomination boundary should be.

"The State Government has identified Ningaloo Marine Park, Cape Range National Park and key areas of the North-West Cape next to the reef to be included in the nomination boundary and is seeking further input from stakeholders," Mr McGowan said.

"Ningaloo Reef is world renowned for its biological diversity, superlative beauty and outstanding geological values and it, along with Cape Range National Park, is one of the State's greatest nature-based tourism attractions.

"Its proximity to the shore means it is much more accessible than the Great Barrier Reef and its wildlife is remarkable.

"For example, the reef is within an area that is one of 18 'hotspots' of coral reef biodiversity in the world. This area ranks second in terms of the number of species found in a relatively limited area and seventh in terms of total diversity.

"The reef and the surrounding waters are internationally recognised for the opportunities they provide for human interaction with whalesharks while independent studies have shown that the reef and the park are primarily responsible for attracting around $127million a year into the Gascoyne-Exmouth regional economy.

"This will be further boosted this year through State Government funding for a whaleshark festival in Exmouth next April and May.

"World Heritage listing will help save the whalesharks by bringing their plight to international attention.

"The State Government is totally committed to the conservation of the reef and World Heritage listing will put it in the international spotlight as a 'must visit' destination."

Mr McGowan said the consultation phase would be an important step in determining what nomination boundary was proposed to the Commonwealth Government.

"I intend to submit the proposed boundaries and other relevant information to the Commonwealth before the end of the year," he said.

"Under the World Heritage Convention, it is the Commonwealth Government that submits the formal nomination for World Heritage listing, and I will be seeking the support of the Commonwealth Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell, for this added recognition and protection of the Ningaloo Reef and North-West Cape."

The Minister said the World Heritage Consultative Committee had done an excellent job in facilitating community participation and had raised a number of issues that would be addressed through the consultation program.

The committee comprised former Exmouth Shire president and long-time resident, Doug Bathgate, who was Chairman, and members Susan Jones and Neil Blake.

The committee's report can be found on the Department of Conservation and Land Management website http://www.naturebase.net

Minister's office: 9222 9111 "

The committee's report can be found on the Department of Conservation and Land Management website http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/news/pdfs/ningaloo_world_heritage.pdf - a 5 Megabyte pdf file.

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