The Ningaloo Coast Regional Strategy Carnarvon to Exmouth - A plan for sustainable development

The magnificent north-west coast of Western Australia and the Ningaloo Reef are attracting an ever increasing number of visitors. Without careful management, the Ningaloo coast, stretching from Carnarvon to Exmouth, is in danger of being 'loved to death' through unsustainable people pressure and inappropriate development.

The vision for the Ningaloo coast is to protect its world-class natural values while enabling sensitive development of the region as a sought after nature-based tourism destination for local, national and international visitors.

The management and development of the Ningaloo coast will ensure a proper balance between protecting this fragile environment and providing an appropriate range of facilities for the growing number of visitors who are attracted to its beauty.

Recent Western Australian government initiatives include:

• The extension and strengthening of the Ningaloo Marine Park, with new sanctuary zones to protect the reef into the future and the development of a new Cape Range National Park Management Plan.
• The introduction of strong planning controls to control inappropriate development on the Ningaloo coast.
• Fixing services at Coral Bay by completing a new sewerage system and making substantial progress towards a public water and power supply.
• Developing Exmouth and Carnarvon as the gateways to the Ningaloo coast through the Exmouth marina and the Carnarvon town enhancement project.
• Through the pastoral lease exclusion process, providing for environmental management of the fragile coastal strip between Carnarvon and Exmouth and equitable public access to the coast’s magnificent recreation areas.
• Exploring world heritage status listing for an area centred around the Ningaloo Marine Park.

Managing the coast
Implementing the strategy
Masterplans
Related publications
Related information
Ningaloo Sustainable Development Committee
Ningaloo Coast Regional Strategy Carnarvon to Exmouth implementation action plan