Looks like the Lease isn't going to be renewed and the state government plans to take over management of the area and establish tourist 'nodes'. Although you'll be hard pressed to find much info about Colins latest plan

Oh well nice, while it lasted


au.news.yahoo.com/pastoralists-angry-over-ningaloo-land-grab-26556255.html

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whippingboy said..
Looks like the Lease isn't going to be renewed and the state government plans to take over management of the area and establish tourist 'nodes'. Although you'll be hard pressed to find much info about Colins latest plan

Oh well nice, while it lasted


au.news.yahoo.com/pastoralists-angry-over-ningaloo-land-grab-26556255.html

Barnet is obviously wanting to extend his legacy of things he has destroyed in his term in office

Im not a camper, i will admit, i can see a resort style of accommodation would suit me better than roughing it, but i would never support it changing from its current format, mostly because i can see that everyone is different and there should be all styles of holidays available. Barnet and this state government really have totally lost the plot..

To have any hope of filling 500-bed camps with tourists they'd have to seal the roads so people can actually get there. Can't see the car hire companies agreeing to relax their rules about not driving on gravel roads. Costs about $1M to seal 1km of road, or something stupid like that.

The total cynic in me thinks they'll kick the lease-holders off the land, and then the majority of the State's planned tourism ventures will be announced actually unprofitable prior to anything going ahead and the land will be passed over to foreign mining companies. Hope I'm wrong.

Apparently there is an online petition anyone found it?

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ThinkaBowtit said..
To have any hope of filling 500-bed camps with tourists they'd have to seal the roads so people can actually get there. Can't see the car hire companies agreeing to relax their rules about not driving on gravel roads. Costs about $1M to seal 1km of road, or something stupid like that.

The total cynic in me thinks they'll kick the lease-holders off the land, and then the majority of the State's planned tourism ventures will be announced actually unprofitable prior to anything going ahead and the land will be passed over to foreign mining companies. Hope I'm wrong.

That would be a disgrace. But i doubt in this market the mining thing would happen. At least if they wanted to play that card, maybe they'd wait till the market bounced back a bit. That would be crazy though as mining would lock everyone out.

I think Tourism is big business, bigger than people estimate. The Ningaloo area is already world known so i guess if they build a big resort, it will get filled

I also looked for the online petition but had no joy in finding it

I don't think any company would touch it. Some Japanese ( I think) company went in there 20 years ago and spent a few million building chalets etc, and planning a whole lot of other stuff. The huts are still there in various states of completion and subsequent dilapidation.

The thing that makes it non viable thus far is the fact that from Gnaraloo, you can't continue driving north through to Waroora and on to Coral Bay.
Coral Bay is a really popular destination for tourists and only about 60km north of Gnaraloo, but to get there from Gnaraloo, you have to drive almost back to carnarvon before you can turn north. That removes it from the normal tourist route as most people can't be bothered driving all that way over a sand track and then have to drive back the same way when they really wanted to continue north.
I think the Governments preference is to take back all the WA coastline and put it under control of 'Parks and Wildfires' with designated camping areas.

They have done this down south now and I noticed last year they were in the process of re-working the area around Black Point through to lake Jasper. with designated campsites and toilets etc. I suppose it had to happen eventually. It was getting quite busy down there.

Found one petition here:

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

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ThinkaBowtit said..
Found one petition here:

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

Thanks for that, but with 2110 signatures, i can't see it making too much difference.. Its a shame people can't get behind petitions like this and really show the state what we want done with our land

I find it so frustrating when people say nothing, do nothing and then complain when things or decisions go their way
Or then again i could be wrong and people might not genuinely care what happens to Gnarloo

Well, everyone here can now sign it if they haven't already, and pass it along to friends they think might care too. It's only been out there two weeks, and we've only just come across it...

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ThinkaBowtit said..
Well, everyone here can now sign it if they haven't already, and pass it along to friends they think might care too. It's only been out there two weeks, and we've only just come across it...

Lets hope

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jbshack said..

ThinkaBowtit said..
Found one petition here:

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

Thanks for that, but with 2110 signatures, i can't see it making too much difference.. Its a shame people can't get behind petitions like this and really show the state what we want done with our land

I find it so frustrating when people say nothing, do nothing and then complain when things or decisions go their way
Or then again i could be wrong and people might not genuinely care what happens to Gnarloo

That's one of the problems when a place is not used by many people, like Wedge, and spot X etc. It's great for the few who use it often and that's the way they prefer it, but when something is about to happen which will change it or wreck it, not many people get all fired up about it because not may people actually used it. Wedge certainly fits into that category and I think Gnaraloo does too.
There's probably not much more than 2000 people who would go to Gnaraloo on a regular basis so that's why there are only 2000 signatures on the petition. Maybe with a bit more publicity you can drum up a few thousand more signatures but half of those will probably never have been there. And then, if you drum up too much publicity for the cause, it will just get crowded,.. so what do you do??
Get them to sign the petition and then tell them "Don't go there cos you wont like it!"

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pweedas said..

jbshack said..

ThinkaBowtit said..
Found one petition here:

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

Thanks for that, but with 2110 signatures, i can't see it making too much difference.. Its a shame people can't get behind petitions like this and really show the state what we want done with our land

I find it so frustrating when people say nothing, do nothing and then complain when things or decisions go their way
Or then again i could be wrong and people might not genuinely care what happens to Gnarloo

That's one of the problems when a place is not used by many people, like Wedge, and spot X etc. It's great for the few who use it often and that's the way they prefer it, but when something is about to happen which will change it or wreck it, not many people get all fired up about it because not may people actually used it. Wedge certainly fits into that category and I think Gnaraloo does too.
There's probably not much more than 2000 people who would go to Gnaraloo on a regular basis so that's why there are only 2000 signatures on the petition. Maybe with a bit more publicity you can drum up a few thousand more signatures but half of those will probably never have been there. And then, if you drum up too much publicity for the cause, it will just get crowded,.. so what do you do??
Get them to sign the petition and then tell them "Don't go there cos you wont like it!"

So what dip-sh!t is saying JB is don't do anything, stick ya hands in yas pockets an jus whistle dixy.. nuttin ta see here

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DARTH said..

pweedas said..

jbshack said..

ThinkaBowtit said..
Found one petition here:

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

Thanks for that, but with 2110 signatures, i can't see it making too much difference.. Its a shame people can't get behind petitions like this and really show the state what we want done with our land

I find it so frustrating when people say nothing, do nothing and then complain when things or decisions go their way
Or then again i could be wrong and people might not genuinely care what happens to Gnarloo

That's one of the problems when a place is not used by many people, like Wedge, and spot X etc. It's great for the few who use it often and that's the way they prefer it, but when something is about to happen which will change it or wreck it, not many people get all fired up about it because not may people actually used it. Wedge certainly fits into that category and I think Gnaraloo does too.
There's probably not much more than 2000 people who would go to Gnaraloo on a regular basis so that's why there are only 2000 signatures on the petition. Maybe with a bit more publicity you can drum up a few thousand more signatures but half of those will probably never have been there. And then, if you drum up too much publicity for the cause, it will just get crowded,.. so what do you do??
Get them to sign the petition and then tell them "Don't go there cos you wont like it!"

So what dip-sh!t is saying JB is don't do anything, stick ya hands in yas pockets an jus whistle dixy.. nuttin ta see here

Yep its that attitude that i can't stand..

Good old Barnet and Baston tag team again

Unfortunately there's nothing new here, this land grab was originally announced about 10 years, the time to stand up and make a stand may unfortunately have already passed (I could never understand why people were spending money on Eco tents etc with this in the pipeline)

In the 20+ years since I first went up I've seen many changes but for me the most noticeable is the crowds and the attitude. I'm glad I got to experience the place when I did but those guys who got in the 70's and 80's really got the best of it, it'll be tragic to lose it.

JB, I hate to disappoint you but I actually think it may have been the previous labor government who started all this not Barnett, but I certainly hope he doesn't go through with it.

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goofy said...
Unfortunately there's nothing new here, this land grab was originally announced about 10 years, the time to stand up and make a stand may unfortunately have already passed (I could never understand why people were spending money on Eco tents etc with this in the pipeline)

In the 20+ years since I first went up I've seen many changes but for me the most noticeable is the crowds and the attitude. I'm glad I got to experience the place when I did but those guys who got in the 70's and 80's really got the best of it, it'll be tragic to lose it.

JB, I hate to disappoint you but I actually think it may have been the previous labor government who started all this not Barnett, but I certainly hope he doesn't go through with it.

Crowds and attitude over the last 20 years? That is surfing everywhere. There are a few bastions of uncrowded friendly quality surf in Australia but they are getting fewer and fewer. And I am not naming them. Lol.

Don't worry about the crowds, worry more about the big mine site

Signed it.

Been thinking a lot since then and I reckon a protest that is say, all of us camping there for all of Sept to Nov would work. Who's in?

As long as protesting involves demonstrating the value up there by windsurfing, kiting, surfing and fishing 24/7!

If you don't like it sign a petition

the information in the petition isnt too clear, maybe there is a more detailed one, it looks like this one only covers waroora station, not red bluff or gnarloo

www.change.org/p/hon-ken-baston-mlc-save-the-wilderness-product-of-the-warroora-station-world-heritage-ningaloo-reef-coastline-from-unwanted-developments

maybe the development might be better for the place. Easy to manage enviro friendly huts sound okay. If it wasn't for the waves no one would go there. The gov should look to us surfers for guidance before wasting bucks on some resort that will fail.

Tourism, is currently the only thing that keeps these stations going .

Have a look at how many sheep they currently run .

Its only enough to make it appear as if they are really able to claim to be living off the land .

Realistically the current leased land is not being looked after nor is it being maintained as stations with fencing and facilities are just being run down .

If and when the Government take the coastline from them , I would almost bet that the rest of the land will be vacated and the stations will no longer be viable.

This then leaves the rest of the land for the government to do nothing with.

That's true.

The coastal stations have always said that if a one mile strip along the coast is taken from them then the properties will not be a viable operation.
This is partly because many of the watering points etc are close to the coast, but also because the actual farm buildings, house, sheds etc are within a mile of the coast. I think Warroora is about the furtherest from the coast and even that is still only about a mile from it, maybe a bit less.

I'm sure Parks and Wildfires would be happy to take the lot if they thought they could do it. Lots more staff to look after it all, bigger budgets, bigger salaries, etc.
The question is whether the gov could afford it.
A few years ago when the money was rolling is they probably thought they could, but now the money has run out, I think they might give it a miss for a while.
It will still be the long term plan but I don't think anything will happen real soon.

Dredge out the inside of the reef, nice channel make a great harbor for some lovely big motor yachts

Being from the area and related to the leaseholder on waroora I can say that the fight isn't over yet, all the stations along the Ningaloo coast share the same views are there are more backing hem than those who have signed the online petition. Time is running out but they will do everything they can to hold onto what little bit of paradise they can

The fights not over yet!

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pweedas said..
That's true.

The coastal stations have always said that if a one mile strip along the coast is taken from them then the properties will not be a viable operation.
This is partly because many of the watering points etc are close to the coast, but also because the actual farm buildings, house, sheds etc are within a mile of the coast. I think Warroora is about the furtherest from the coast and even that is still only about a mile from it, maybe a bit less.

I'm sure Parks and Wildfires would be happy to take the lot if they thought they could do it. Lots more staff to look after it all, bigger budgets, bigger salaries, etc.
The question is whether the gov could afford it.
A few years ago when the money was rolling is they probably thought they could, but now the money has run out, I think they might give it a miss for a while.
It will still be the long term plan but I don't think anything will happen real soon.

I recall having this discussion with Phil from Ningaloo homestead back in 2004, the prick was charging me an my missus $2 each a nite whilst we were camping out on Winderabandi point for a month (total cost for the use of his land for one month equalled $128, but we did bring our own tent and hired a porta pottie off Phil, but that was f/all)

Tho I was not aware of the issue at the time, I now feel/know exactly what he was saying

The pastoralists keep an eye open to what is going on in their region, and if you are a dickhead and leave rubbish laying around for example, they'll pull you up on it quicksmart and not be shy with their wording either

But if the government were to take over that 2 km coastal strip from Gnarloo to Exmouth they'll only have two guys or gals trying to patrol it at a huge cost to every one of us, whereas the locals would and could continue do it for free as it's in their interests to do so

www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2015-03-20/gnaraloo-station-lease-concerns-western-australia/6332394

Lease or no lease, heard lots of chit chat on the ABC RADIO …..where has all the money gone on just keeping the basics VERY BASIC, with its busted ass fence line and wind breaks ,fly blown sheep sleeping under your van and ferral goats destroying the point ,yet the price for basic camping goes up and up limiting ones experience.

Hate to see it change really and be out of the reach of the younger generation which it just about is ,just like Rottnet Island and many other camp grounds or be an anal CALM experience .

All a bit of a catch 22 ………..from what i see…………..

Thank god for the distance from the metro sexualls and cost to get there ,the heavy moist and corrosive salt air / howling wind / clean out swells / periods of flatness / stinking hot summer / blown out tracks / smelly salty bore water /stubbed toes and the occasional cyclone to keep the place sane .

I think it will live on

I heard the place is infested with g.ay gondolas now anyway, maybe they have pals in high places and that's why this is happening.

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king of the point said..

Hate to see it change really and be out of the reach of the younger generation which it just about is ,just like Rottnet Island and many other camp grounds or be an anal CALM experience .

All a bit of a catch 22 ………..from what i see…………..


I think it will live on

Some of the parks run by Dept of Parks and Wildfires are pretty good value.. Karijini is cheap enough, and quite a few down South are also good value.

Rottnest is expensive because it kept getting sledged by some because of poor facilities, so they upgraded the facilities and then charged accordingly.

You get what you pay for. If people want hot and cold running water with a kitchen and fridge in every unit then they will be expensive.
If people only want a patch of ground to camp on with a toilet within walking distance, then it should remain cheap.

I also think it will carry on in a reasonable manner so long as people make it known what they want when they go there.
Be careful what you ask for because you will probably get it, and you will then pay for it.

R ! P Gnaraloo wtf , Paul and his mate down the new bitumen road are the worst environmental threats that face the whole coastline . Look what farming feral goats has done to 3 mile and the Bluff ? These are special tourism leases ffs !, No respect whatsoever ! . Pauls arse should be booted off that lease all the way to king waves kill .