A report has been launched calling for annual funding of $68 million to support Pilbara vision to create world-leading model of conservation by 2031.
A report has been launched calling for annual funding of $68 million to support Pilbara vision to create world-leading model of conservation by 2031.
The Enduring Pilbara report, commissioned by The Pew Charitable Trusts, proposed the protection of the biodiversity and heritage of Australia’s largest mining region could be delivered through investment and strengthened partnerships between government, industry, traditional custodians and landholders.
Mining and pastoral tenures make up 80 per cent of the Pilbara region while land under formal protection is 6.4 per cent.
WA Environment and Climate Action Minister Reece Whitby said mining and agriculture would continue to be a part of the Pilbara economy, but the conservation of the region would have to be invested in.
“One of the key challenges for this and future generations is how to safeguard the rich culture and biodiversity of the Pilbara while supporting the pastoral and mining industries critical for the economic wealth of [WA and] the nation as a whole.
“Protecting these unique values requires a co-ordinated and long-term approach to ensure genuine long-term conservation and cultural outcomes,” the minister said.
The Pilbara report, an initiative of Partnership of the Outback, was written by University of Tasmania researcher Dr Vanessa Adams, Centre for Conservation Geography researcher Dr Carol Booth and Nulungu Research Institute researcher Dr Bill Kruse.
Dr Kruse said government, industries and landholders should be compelled to invest in the Pilbara’s conservation for several reasons which included cultural and ethical obligations.
“[The initiative] would provide a greater choice of livelihoods for Aboriginal people that align with their cultures, aspirations, skills and native title rights.
“It would help to strengthen and repair relationships necessary for mining companies to operate and it would reduce the likelihood of sacred Aboriginal sites being destroyed like the Juukan Gorge disaster.
“Whilst [mining] will continue to have impacts on the environment, there is also an opportunity to build partnerships that benefit nature and people across the whole region,” Dr Kruse said.
Dr Adams said the Pilbara has not been protected the way it should be and investment in conserving the region would generate social, environmental and economic benefits including 560 full time jobs with the majority set to be filled by Aboriginal people.
“The wealth generated by the Pilbara, coupled with the environmental footprint of the mining industries that have generated that wealth, put the onus of responsibility on significantly investing in conservation measures that will benefit local communities,” Dr Adams said.
Dr Booth said landscape conservation has been successful outside of Australia but not at such a scale or with the overlapping interests the Pilbara has.
“It is entirely possible for the Pilbara to become a world-leading example of landscape-scale conservation with cultural and conservation land management across all tenures and delivered through partnerships between those with overlapping land rights and responsibilities such as traditional owners, miners, pastoralists and governments.
“We have an opportunity to diversify the Pilbara economy, generate new jobs and increase local prosperity while reversing environmental decline and sustaining traditional owner cultures.
“This can only be achieved through a shared vision and appropriate investment,” she said.
