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PILBARA, Western Australia, 17 July 2012 - The growth in the Pilbara’s resources sector has led to an increased number of visitors to the region’s natural attractions such as the Karijini and Millstream Chichester national parks.
The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) have introduced unique park passes for companies such as Fortescue, as a way to manage the growing numbers.
DEC Regional Parks and Visitor Services Leader Alex Bowley believes the park pass scheme will be beneficial to all stakeholders.
“There has been a noticeable increase in people visiting the parks, with resource project employees and contractors regularly heading to cool waterholes and popular day use areas,” he said.
“This extra visitation on top of the usual high numbers of visitors has placed pressure on maintenance and service operations, and on DEC park rangers who have reported higher instances of non-payment of park fees, and inappropriate behaviour by visitors.
“The introduction of a park pass scheme will help alleviate some of these pressures while educating visitors about national park regulations and how they can minimise impacts on the environment.”
The Solomon project has become the Pilbara’s first mining venture
to purchase the passes for its workforce.
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