Ningaloo turtle nesting safe haven threatened as newly-opened 4WD track brings tourist hordes to Gnaraloo

A local charity is calling for stronger management of the Gnaraloo coastline after expressing concerns the opening of an unsealed track and an increase in uncontrolled tourism are threatening endangered turtles. Gnaraloo Wilderness Foundation chair Karen Hattingh has urged the State Government to implement management measures to protect endangered loggerhead sea turtle nesting behaviour. It comes as the Shire of Carnarvon voted at its November meeting to reopen the Gnaraloo Coastal Track on December 1 last year, which had been closed to public for more than 10 years. Ms Hattingh said she was “dismayed” by the Shire’s decision. “In a period of 30 years at Gnaraloo, the way that the pastoralists managed the coast was that there had been no four-wheel-drive traffic on the Gnaraloo beaches which is fantastic for sea turtle nesting activity,” she said. “We’ve called on the State Government to work with the Shire and the Ningaloo joint management body to actually close the track and to put management measures in place to make sure that when people go into that area to enjoy it, that they are not actually destroying heritage and impacting endangered sea turtle nesting behaviour.” Ms Hattingh said COVID-19 travel restrictions led to an influx of visitors to the region which also threatened turtles. “We started observing the four-wheel-driving on beaches at Gnaraloo that had never had any four-wheel-drive activity, illegal camping on the beaches, dunes being wrecked,” she said. “It’s just not strong enough management in place during the very high public visitation times to make sure that coast is protected.” Gnaraloo Station lessee Paul Richardson said the lack of management was “disheartening” but he didn’t oppose the track being opened as long as it was properly managed. “From an economic point of view I think it would be a great thing if it is opened and managed properly,” he said. “Why stop people enjoying the scenery if they are properly managed and they don’t do the damage? “One thing we would love to see is the place protected and managed. It needs a Government presence. The State Government really does need to come to the party and put resources into this bottom end to stop it getting destroyed.” Shire of Carnarvon president Eddie Smith said he had not seen any evidence of the environmental damage claims being made since the road reopened. “I think it would be really good if people would come and actually sit down with us, show us some evidence and see if we can plan something that is suitable for everybody.” Last August, the WA Government signed off on an Indigenous Land Use Agreement for the Ningaloo Coastal Reserves to be jointly managed with the Nganhurra Thanardi Garrbu Aboriginal Corporation. In 2015, the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions took control of the area which had previously been managed by pastoralists. The DBCA said it was aware of instances where vehicles were deviating from the Gnaraloo track. “The department is committed to working with the Shire of Carnarvon to install directional and way-finding signage within the road reserve, as well as installing management signage at the southern and northern ends of the track, informing visitors regarding the nature of the track and conditions of entry,” the DBCA said. “The department currently undertakes regular staff patrols in the area to increase public awareness of the values of the area.”