Shire of Derby-West Kimberley councillors back new Fitzroy River national park

A new jointly managed national park covering 173,000ha of the Fitzroy River is on track to be created by the end of the year. The news comes as the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley throws its support behind the planned park. At its May meeting, the Shire council voted to back the park, subject to traditional owners’ wishes. Shire president Geoff Haerewa said the council fully supported the national park. “It gives Indigenous people a lot of options to do tourism if the opportunities are there,” he said. “Any tourism industry that starts up, whether it be micro-tourism or larger groups, it is all about jobs, and that is ultimately what we are trying to create.” Mr Haerewa said the Shire was keen to have close involvement with the park plan. A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokeswoman said negotiations with Yurriyangem Taam native title holders to finalise the Fitzroy River National Park would be completed in late 2021. “Discussions with pastoralists who have a direct interest or are adjacent to the proposed national park are ongoing,” she said. An Indigenous land use agreement was recently signed by the Gooniyandi people to progress vesting and joint management of a proposed national park along the Margaret River. The spokeswoman said they were working to register the two ILUAs with the Native Title Tribunal.