Collie River (WA) - No More Camping

Hi all,

I have just come back from 4WD club meeting tonight and still somewhat in disbelief on report from 4WD association rep feedback on news that camping along the Collie River has been banned.

The ban is the result of a campaign from (I think) SW Aboriginal Land Council (Noongar peoples). Whilst I have every respect for such claims and Aboriginal people, this news comes as a bit of a shock as it applies to individual access to lands, not mining, etc. Perhaps somewhat similar to Ayers Rock (Uluru). The ban applies to private camping and even CALM registered sites such as Honeymoon Pool. Apparently the CALM sites along the Collie River are all being torn up to revegitate the environment. And CALM just pumped a whole lot of tax payers money into Honeymoon Pool. We were advised that the WA 4WD assoc has negotiated club access to the assoc camp site. News doesn't seem good for everyone else.

I must say that I have not personally followed this up to check the truth of the claim, though I have no reason to disbelieve the assoc rep. What concerns me is that the Noongar lands cover SW across to Esperance, up to Southern Cross and across to Geraldton. This is a huge area and I wonder if this ruling is only the tip of the iceberg.

Does anyone else know more about this? I'll see what CALM have to say. Certainly, if true, it does not appear to have been subject to much public debate.

Regards,
Hugh