Submitted: Saturday, Jul 19, 2008 at 18:57

Open letter to friends of Ningaloo Station

The purpose of this personal letter is to inform you of the past and current events of the challenges confronting Ningaloo Station adjacent to the Ningaloo Reef.

As you may be aware DEC, the Department of Environment and Conservation [formally CALM], and DPI, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, has over the last six years been attempting to resume 48% [22,202 hec and up to 22 km inland] of Ningaloo Station, taking in all of our infrastructure including our homestead and associated buildings, shearing quarters and shed, air strip, all stock watering points, mills and pipelines, heritage listed Point Cloates lighthouse, all for the purported protection of the Ningaloo Marine Park.

No consideration has been afforded to the Lefroy family who have been the owners of Ningaloo Station since 1934.

The Lefroy family rejects the DEC “land grab” and the subsequent forfieture of the whole station lease [49,700 hec] due to us not voluntary handing over the 22,202 heacres of land to them, and we are fully aware of the developers waiting in the wings.

In relation to wilderness camping, Ningaloo Station applied in 2000 for, and received permission from, the Pastoral Lands Board to charge a camping access fee.
the station implemented the “wilderness camping” concept and invested considerable funds and time to ensure its proper implemention. We have successfully managed the campers on Ningaloo Station since 2000.

Early June 2008 DEC informed Ningaloo Station they intended to take over the management of all camping on the station as of the 1st of July 2008.
Under DEC's proposal all camping fees would be substantially increased and payable to DEC, camping duration restricted, dogs will not be permitted, all camping will be confined to hardened areas and rules enforced as per the CALM act.
Vehicle access fees would apply to campers and day travellers alike.
Campers would be under the control of DEC officers and the Lefroys would still be expected to collect the fees, clean toilets and remove rubbish.

Ningaloo Station totally rejects decs blatant proposed take over of a legitimate pastoral activity.

It is with this in mind we are offically launching a “fighting fund” to employ solicitors to legally stop DEC from taking over the entire station and camping, and the development of the coast line.
We are passionate in our desire to retain the wilderness camping concept and maintain the management of campers by Ningaloo Station.
If you are of such mind and wish to assist and support us, please donate to the "Ningaloo Station fighting fund".

Please either post to Ningaloo Station. Carnarvon, WA 6701 or deposit funds in any Westpac Bank BSB number 736180 account number 544962.
Further information is available via email to lefroyningaloo@bigpond.com or phone (08) 99425936.

We sincerely thank you in anticipation of your support.

Please contact your local member of parliament, the opposition and independents, talk back radio shows, write to your local paper and the West Australian and express your views on remote camping and its management on Ningaloo Station and your opposition to the proposed take over by DEC.

Attachments: Tags: Camping, Legislation/Politics
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