The Wilderness Society WA, The Conservation Council WA, Environs Kimberley

Conservation groups have welcomed announcement by Premier Barnett that his government is moving to create in the Kimberley, "one of Australia's greatest national parks ."

Picture: An estimated 20,000 Humpback Whales, including mothers and their newborns, are on their way home after spending winter in the warm waters just off WA's Kimberley coast. Credit: The Wilderness Society.

Speaking at a handover event for 6000 ‘Don't Fail the Whales' letters outside Parliament House this morning, the Premier stated:

"As you know Camden Sound will be made a marine park, and we are looking at extending it across the top of the Kimberley...we are going to ensure there is a connected system of parks on the land as well as in the sea. This will be one of Australia's greatest national parks, and hopefully we'll have it not in place, but the decision made by the end of the year." Premier Colin Barnett, 27 May 2010, Parliament House, Perth.

Event co-organiser Jenita Enevoldsen, marine campaigner for The Wilderness Society (WA) said, "This is potentially great news for the Kimberley. The first test will be the imminent release of the maps for the Kimberley's first (‘Camden Sound') marine park.

"In this case, the Premier must deliver on his promise of protecting the entire Humpback whale calving ground from Broome to Camden Sound."

"Beyond that, we look forward to working with the government to implement the Premier's promise of creating one of Australia's greatest national parks - land and sea.

"The Kimberley is as important globally as the Amazon and the Great Barrier Reef and deserves a high level of protection . It will bring significant economic benefits if it is planned properly and well resourced", said Environs Kimberley Director, Martin Pritchard.

"The government must ensure that the region's Traditional Owners consent to and benefit from proposed new protected areas - through sustainable tourism ventures and land/sea management services.

"Obviously some proposed developments, such as the James Price Point LNG proposal, are incompatible with the Premier's vision and we hope he will see that it is not necessary for - and indeed damaging to - the region's future."

The Don't Fail the Whales Collaboration consists of The Wilderness Society WA, The Conservation Council WA, Environs Kimberley and the Australian Marine Conservation Society.