Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Power to the people through marine consultation project
Asking for public feedback can result in a diverse range of opinions, but a community consultation project on environmental values along a 600 kilometre stretch of coastline from Exmouth Gulf to Cape Keraudren in Western Australia has unified a region.
Funding
The ambitious project was funded with $225,000 from the Australian Government and support from the State Government through the Rangelands NRM Coordinating Group. It received 156 written submissions largely from Pilbara and Exmouth residents, businesses and community organisations, and attracted 190 people to public meetings.
Activities
The overall response was one of strong support for the permanent protection of environmental values associated with the ocean and with people's social and spiritual life. People wanted an end to avoidable pollution sources, wastes, contamination and discharges that compromise their own closely-held environmental values.
Project Officer Des Mills said the reason for seeking public comment was because the Pilbara region is rapidly developing its mineral, oil and gas resources, processing industries, port facilities and tourism.
The coastal region isn't just any strip of coastline - it incorporates the Montebello Islands, Barrow Island and the Dampier Archipelago, which is equivalent to the Great Barrier Reef in terms of coral species and diversity.
"The public was shown 3D overlays and maps to see where existing development and areas of conservation significance were located within the region, such as coral and mangrove habitat and port and industrial infrastructure," Des said.
"Many respondents wanted the maximum level of ecological protection to cover more areas in proposed and existing Marine Conservation Reserves. Others wanted greater recognition for existing and proposed export operations and infrastructure by increasing the extent of some moderate protection areas around port and harbour infrastructure. Without exception, no-one wanted the overall health of the marine ecosystem to be compromised."
Achievements
Acting on people's comments, changes amounted to a 34 per cent increase of the maximum level of ecological protection and a 37 per cent increase of moderate protection. Overall, 81 per cent of the region was designated a 'high level,' and 18 per cent a 'maximum level' of ecological protection.
Other changes included the establishment of environmental baselines and a coordinated monitoring and reporting system to ensure human activity was managed and environmental values protected. Baseline water quality and marine sediment surveys were conducted and a review commissioned to establish 'early warning' indicators of stress in corals associated with sedimentation, turbidity, light reduction, temperature and salinity.
More information
- Des Mills, Project Officer: (08) 9222 7042 or des.mills@dec.wa.gov.au
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