A campaign fronted by the author Tim Winton and backed by environmentalists and ecotourism operators is attempting to stop a pipeline factory for the oil and gas industry proposed for Exmouth Gulf, next door to Western Australia’s world heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef. He points to the area’s world heritage values. In 2010 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature recommended that the gulf be considered for inclusion in the Ningaloo world heritage area due to its importance as a nursery for reef species. The Ningaloo coast – including what, at 260km, is one of the world’s longest near shore reefs – was listed by Unesco in 2011. The pipe would be transported via rail track to a concrete and rock launching point that would extend 300 metres into the gulf.

Source: The Guardian October 14, 2018 00:22 UTC