Ningaloo Reef nomination for World Heritage status

Ningaloo Reef and Cape Range National Park from the air. Picture by Tony Howard, Department of Environment and Conservation.

"World Heritage listing is the highest global recognition of the importance of a site and I am delighted to give our support for Ningaloo being recognised as a site of outstanding natural importance," Mrs Faragher said.

"The State Government is committed to protecting the unique natural heritage of Ningaloo Reef and its diverse marine species of manta rays, marine turtles, corals, whales and whale sharks. Ningaloo is the closest fringing coral reef in Australia, among the closest to land of its type in the world and ranks seventh on the global list of coral reef biodiversity ‘hotspots'. World heritage listing will see Ningaloo listed alongside other Australian sites such as the Great Barrier Reef and Shark Bay, as well as international locations like the Grand Canyon.

"The prestige of this listing means tourism operators and associated travel and service providers in the region are likely to experience significant economic benefits."

Area covered
The Minister said the State Government's proposed boundary encompassed State and Commonwealth waters in Ningaloo Marine Park; Cape Range National Park; Jurabi and Bundegi coastal parks; an area of unallocated Crown land north of the national park; the Learmonth Air Weapons Range and land earmarked for exclusion from pastoral leases abutting Ningaloo Marine Park.

Not included in the State's proposed World Heritage boundary are the marine management area around the Muiron Islands, a proposed conservation and limestone management reserve, two tourism nodes as well as existing and potential quarries on unallocated Crown land and pastoral station homesteads and associated infrastructure.

World Heritage listing would not bring any significant changes to management
Mrs Faragher reaffirmed World Heritage listing would not bring any significant changes in the management of the parks, which are already covered by comprehensive management plans.

"The people of Western Australia have long recognised the significance of the Ningaloo Coast, which was demonstrated with the establishment of Cape Range National Park in 1964 and Ningaloo Marine Park in 1987," she said. "The State Government expects to remain principally responsible for management and decision making in the area, in consultation with community stakeholders. World Heritage listing does not change the way lands and waters are managed or change existing land uses and activities."

The Minister said that Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett had been informed of the State's support for World Heritage listing and the proposed boundary.

200,000 visitors per year
The reef and the adjoining Cape Range National Park attract more than 200,000 visitors a year, which results in an injection of approximately $127million into the Gascoyne region's economy.

Shark Bay and Purnululu National Park are the only other Western Australian sites which are World Heritage listed.