Western Australia Minister for Environment Donna Faragher

Management Plan for Cape Range National Park Released

Victor P Taffa

The rugged beauty of Cape Range National Park would be managed under a new management plan released today by Environment Minister Donna Faragher.

Cape Range National Park, located just 39km from Exmouth on the Cape Range peninsula, covers 50,581ha of coastal plain and majestic karst ranges that overlook the Ningaloo Coast, an area nominated for World Heritage listing.

“With the rust red gorges and canyons of Cape Range contrasting dramatically with the brilliant turquoise waters of Ningaloo Marine Park, you can see why visitors to this spectacular region have more than doubled in the last two decades with 244,000 visits recorded in 2008-09.” Mrs. Faragher said.

“Research conducted in 2008 indicates that visitor expenditure in the Ningaloo Coast region was $141 Million annually, a significant contribution to the local tourism economy.”

“As more people visit the region, the management plan will help protect the national park’s natural values and ensure that a range of high-quality, ecologically-sustainable recreation and tourism opportunities are provided, including improved day-use facilities to complement existing facilities such as the Yardie Creek boat tour and Milyering Visitor Centre.” Mrs. Faragher said.

The management plan was prepared by the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) in consultation with the community, and on behalf of the Conservation Commission of WA.

Commission Chair, Mrs. Pat Barblett, said the management plan recognised the need for Aboriginal people to practice their culture and to be involved in caring for the park and its Aboriginal heritage sites.

“I would like to thank all members of the community for their assistance in developing the plan and encourage them to remain involved by volunteering for management activities such as clean up days, campground hosting, track maintenance or black-footed rock wallaby surveys.” Mrs. Barblett said.

The Cape Range National Park management plan can be viewed online at http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/landmanagementplanning Copies of the plan can be obtained from DEC’s Exmouth, Karratha or Perth offices from late September.