- Plans for a massive industrial saltworks at Exmouth Gulf-Ningaloo have been withdrawn by the German corporation, K+S.
- Protect Ningaloo – AMCS has led a widely supported campaign against the saltworks that would have damaged a nationally-listed wetland and disrupted nutrient flows into Exmouth Gulf, Ningaloo's nursery.
- Governments must act to ensure Exmouth Gulf is protected from future industrial projects.
The German multinational corporation behind a massive saltworks planned for the eastern side of Exmouth Gulf in a wetland of national importance, today announced it has cancelled plans for the project.
Protect Ningaloo, the campaign to save Exmouth Gulf, led the widespread opposition to the project which would have damaged an area 52 times the size of Perth's Kings Park, risking harm to a fragile ecosystem that supports a diversity of marine life including critically endangered species.
Paul Gamblin, CEO of the Australian Marine Conservation Society said, "This has been a hard-fought, gruelling campaign over many years. To say we're relieved at this news would be a huge understatement. This is a major win for Exmouth Gulf – one of Australia's natural wonders and a place of international importance."
"To the scientists, the film makers, the submission-writers, the volunteer campaigners and key supporters who have hung in there for the long haul, and to everyone who saw a better way for this vital part of the Exmouth Gulf-Ningaloo ecosystem, we hope you cherish this moment!"
"K+S has done the right thing by withdrawing its saltworks project. Exmouth Gulf is obviously no place for industrial development. The WA and federal governments must now move swiftly to protect Exmouth Gulf for all time. The era of one industrial proposal after another threatening Exmouth Gulf – an oil and gas pipeline facility, the saltworks, a port and dredging operation – all causing deep concern in the community, must now come to an end."
Denise Fitch, Chair of the Exmouth-based Cape Conservation Group said, "The Ningaloo community is ecstatic about this news, and CCG welcomes this decision which marks the end of a nine-year struggle. This is a victory for people power, a victory for science and a victory for Exmouth Gulf. Now it's time for the government to step up and protect the Gulf properly, once and for all.
Protect Ningaloo campaigned against the project in Australia and Germany. Over 17,000 people sent email letters to WA's environment minister expressing opposition to the project, while billboards and social media campaigns in Germany called on K+S to withdraw the project. The campaign also undertook detailed scientifically-informed analysis to scrutinise the proponent's proposal during the environmental assessment process.
