The North West Coast

North West Marine Sanctuary Needed

As the weather warms up I have been adventuring off the North West coast, sailing around Port Hedland and being acompanied by whales on our way to Weirdy Is; snorkelling at Coral Bay with the miriad of fish and the exquisite lavender coral; and snorkelling at the Ningaloo Marine Park with the turtles, sharks and so many tropical fish that the water reminds me of a dot painting of vibrant colour; and swimming at 80 mile beach which is covered in beautiful shells. We are soooo lucky to have such a pristine environment to enjoy. The water brims with marine life. Recreational fishing restrictions are one way to protect fish species but I think a much more sustainable way is to creat marine sanctuaries such as Ningaloo.

WA has so few marine sanctuaries but work is underway to create a

"string of pearls along the whole coast".

http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/marine/marine-conservation/marine-parks-and-reserves.html

Pilbara mining residue

Pilbara miners environmental vandals

The Pilbara is known for its mineral wealth and its beautiful hills and gorges. When the minerals have been extracted the scars left remain as a reminder of money made, lives lost and land degraded. On a recent trip to Karajini we went to Wittenoom Gorge and the site of the old blue asbestos mining town, now not much more than a ghost town. I was reminded of the negative impact of mineral extraction and the lack of accountability to clean up after themselves of those who make money from the extraction of the country's mineral wealth.

This includes governments who make enormous amounts of royalties.

http://www.asbestosdiseases.org.au/asbestosinfo/wittenoom_tragedies.htm

Uranium worries

And of course now that WA has Colin Barnett as Premier, uranium exploration and mining is full steam ahead in the Pilbara. Cameco expect to be operating their uranium mine in the East Pilbara in 3 years.

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=32&ContentID=134446

Flat out like a lizard drinking

Jumping Goanna

If you travel in outback Australia you will often see cans carelessly discarded out of the car window. As Olive and I were coming back to Port Hedland from Yandeyarra we saw out to the side of the road a very strange site. It looked like a jumping can. On closer inspection we were alarmed to see a young goanna who had decided that he was in the mood for a party. We took him back to town and cut him free to grow up to become someone's dinner.

Dust in Port Hedland

PortHedland dust

There has been much debate in Hedland in recent months about the dust in town and the possible health effects. Headland has recently been on cyclone watch as a rainbearing depression moved closer to the coast and crossed near town. As it came closer, the town was hit by a spectacular dust storm which preceded the rain.

If you want updated info about the dust visit the dust monitoring site which is updated hourly.

http://porthedlanddust.r-box.com.au/

Point Samson a beautiful getaway

I have jst been down to Roebourne for work and was delighted to find that there was not a bed to be had for love nor money in Karratha for the night and had to stay at Point Samson just 13km from Roebourne. Walking along the gorgeous main beach I couldn't help but be in awe of the number of sea birds wheeling around and diving into the water. The water was literally boiling with schools of fish close to the surface. I just wondered- how long will this fishery last?

Desalination plants used to top up dams in WA

WA water crisis

On a flight up to Geraldton from Perth today I was surprised to hear from a fellow traveller who worked for WaterCorp that the water infrastructure for the whole of Western Australia was in CRISIS.

Not only do we have a serious problem with over use and lack of reliable rainfall, we have such a serious problem maintaining a supply for all of the tree change and sea change people to the south west that the dams are being suplimented by desalinated water and rivers are now requiring serious and very expensive treatment due to degraded water quality as a result of land clearing and poor agricultural practices.

It is clear- water needs of growing communities must be factored into cost of development.

http://www.watercorporation.com.au/D/desalination.cfm?uid=6748-4571-0262-4525

Update on the Kimberley gas project

It is confirmed-INPEX will now build its gas processing plant in the NT, saving the Kimberley from this type of development for now.

http://abc.com.au/news/stories/2008/09/27/2375952.htm

Who would have thought when Bamba sang Bran Nue Dae back in 1989 that the Kimberley would need to fight to keep its beauty and that the State Government of Western Australia and the Kimberley Land Council would support fouling the most beautiful place on earth. The ABC's Four Corners show really highlighted to the people of the East Coast of Australia that the Kimberley may well be worth saving.

If you didn't get a chance to see Albert Wiggan and Pat Lowe and Maria Mann from Environs Kimberley and of course "Tux" from SavetheKimberley be sure to check out the whole show here
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/s2369042.htm
And by the way Happy 50th Birthday Tux