Community stands together to protect Entrance Point Reef
More than 120 Broome locals gathered yesterday at Entrance Point Reef to call for its protection.
As the community came together, barefoot kids delighted in discovering hermit crabs under the glowing sandstone cliffs near the opalescent water covering carpets of corals.
The Broome community standing together to protect their cherished place. Photo: Damian Kelly.
With a giant red crane looming ominously over the scene, Yawuru local Tony Lee spoke powerfully about the heritage importance of Entrance Point while Ngaire Pigram, creator of the two petitions to the WA Parliament requesting the protection of Entrance Point, called for a minute of silence to honour the place’s spirit.
“What they’re bringing here is destructive industry… you’re not going to be able to hear the reef talk any more,” they said fighting back tears.
“Don’t ever think you can’t stand up for Country. You all belong here because you’ve all felt this place and you know how special it is… let’s not give up.”
Ngaire Pigram and Kath White. Photo: Damian Kelly.
Hand-painted signs by local families asked Minister for Ports David Michael why he hasn’t answered more than 1000 letters requesting protection of the reef. Other signs questioned why there has been no study done on the more than 40 species of corals living at the site.
Amelia, Martin and Bonney. Photo: Damian Kelly.
The community also called on Hon. Peter Foster, Chair of the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs whose electorate is the Mining and Pastoral Region, to respond to the signatories of the two petitions requesting the protection of Entrance Point Reef.
You can see more photos and read further coverage of the community action on ABC Kimberley’s facebook post.
Our community can still protect Entrance Point Reef - if you haven’t already, please send a letter to Minister Michael to protect the reef from industrialisation here.
Over 1,000 people call to protect Broome's Entrance Point reef from industrial jetty
Over 1,000 people have sent a letter to Minister for Ports David Michael calling for the protection of Broome's Entrance Point Reef from an industrial jetty primarily for the oil and gas industry.
Mark Coles-Smith, Michael Jalaru Torres and Paul Boon call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef Photo: Damian Kelly
Entrance Point Reef is a well-loved marine wonderland with over 40 species of coral, clown fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Locals regard it as a premier land-based fishing spot and a popular reef exploring area. Already, damage to the area has been done. You can read more here CALL TO STOP DESTRUCTIVE DRILLING AT ENTRANCE POINT REEF IN BROOME
“The community is calling on Minister for Ports David Michael to protect Entrance Point Reef which is a premier land-based fishing spot and the most popular reef exploring area in Broome from an industrial jetty which is mainly for the oil and gas industry," Environs Kimberley Director of Strategy Martin Pritchard said.
Naomi Pigram, Ngaire Pigram and Amanda McInerney call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef. Photo Damian Kelly
To send a letter to the Minister david Michael, go here Letter to Protect Entrance Point Reef
To sign a hard copy petition or help get signatures contact the EK Office on 0891921922 
To stay informed on this issue, follow our link, scroll down & sign up: https://bit.ly/StayInformedWithEK
: Damian Kelly
Community call to protect Broome's Entrance Point reef from industrial jetty
A protest in Broome had 150 people calling on the WA Minister for Ports Hon. David Michael to protect Entrance Point reef from an industrial floating jetty primarily for the oil and gas industry.
Mark Coles-Smith, Michael Jalaru Torres and Paul Boon call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef Photo: Damian Kelly
Entrance Point Reef is a well-loved marine wonderland with over 40 species of coral, clown fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Locals regard it as a premier land-based fishing spot and a popular reef exploring area. Already, damage to the area has been done. You can read more here CALL TO STOP DESTRUCTIVE DRILLING AT ENTRANCE POINT REEF IN BROOME
“The community is calling on Minister for Ports David Michael to protect Entrance Point Reef which is a premier land-based fishing spot and the most popular reef exploring area in Broome from an industrial jetty which is mainly for the oil and gas industry," Environs Kimberley Director of Strategy Martin Pritchard said.
Naomi Pigram, Ngaire Pigram and Amanda McInerney call for the protection of Entrance Point Reef. Photo Damian Kelly
Over 1,000 people have signed the petition to Minister for Ports David Michael. To sign, go here Petition to Protect Entrance Point Reef To stay informed on this issue, follow our link, scroll down & sign up: https://bit.ly/StayInformedWithEK: Damian Kelly
Protect Entrance Point Reef - send a letter to the Minister
The Kimberley coast is amongst the top 4% of the most intact coastlines in the world. The seagrass beds, mangroves and coral communities are healthy; fish, turtle, dugong, dolphin and crab populations depend on them.
Roebuck Bay is cherished by all sectors of the Broome community, highly valued for its natural and cultural values. The reefs around the Bay and at Entrance Point are highly significant for local Aboriginal people, who have been fishing here for countless generations and have been bringing families down to enjoy all aspects of the reef for recreation, learning, spiritual and physical sustenance and deep contemplation. More than 40 species of coral have recently been found here by the community. Dinosaur footprints of high cultural value are present.
The proposed industrial private floating jetty at Entrance Point is extremely concerning to the community.
It would not only open the door to industrialising the West Kimberley, but would also damage the cherished Entrance Point Reef.
We call on you, the Minister for Ports David Michael and the WA Government to protect Entrance Point Reef in perpetuity from damaging industrial development.
Call to stop destructive drilling at Entrance Point reef in Broome
Broome based conservation organisation Environs Kimberley is calling on the WA Minister for Ports Hon. David Michael to halt drilling on a sensitive reef near Broome.
Entrance Point Reef is a well-loved marine wonderland with over 40 species of coral, clown fish, shellfish and crustaceans. Locals regard it as a premier land-based fishing spot and a popular reef exploring area.
Drilling started in the last couple of days in preparation for construction of an industrial floating jetty mainly for the oil and gas industry. Already, damage has been done.
Questions in Parliament by Greens MLC Brad Pettit revealed this week that despite an announcement that construction had begun on the project it has yet to receive final approvals from the Port of Broome -
The final design, “…requires a works approval by Kimberley Ports Authority and KMSB will obtain an independent design verification report.”
It was also revealed in Parliament through other questions that Minister for Ports David Michael admitted the, “...reef has not been assessed for its environmental significance.”
“Yesterday we found a drilling machine that smashed part of the reef and destroyed very old red coral. We are shocked that this is happening when there hasn’t been an environmental assessment of the reef as revealed in the WA Parliament this week,” said Environs Kimberley Director of Strategy Martin Pritchard.
“We are calling on Minister for Ports David Michael to stop this destructive drilling on Entrance Point Reef which is a premier land-based fishing spot and the most popular reef exploring area in Broome. The reef has not been assessed for its environmental significance and there’s an urgent need to do that before more damage is done.”
“We have also found out that despite announcing the beginning of construction the proposal hasn’t had final approval from the Port. It’s also been revealed that the design of the floating wharf was tested in a wave pool in Copenhagen, Denmark. We are concerned that this facility would be unable to cope with cyclonic conditions and big waves. It could be smashed to bits in such an event and we’re calling for the engineering design to be made public.”
“There are also serious concerns that there has not been a dinosaur footprint survey in this area, everyone knows how important the Entrance Point area is for the 130 million footprints and we’re calling on Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek to intervene here and make sure none are destroyed.”