FOR PRESS: PM. NO. 102/ 1972
PUBLIC ACCESS TO GARDEN ISLAND
Joint Statement by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon.
William I-c7ahon, CH, MP.
and the Premier of Western Australia,
the Hon. J. T. Tonkin, i2. L. A.
Agreement in principle has been reached between the
Commonwealth and the Western Australian Governments on an outline
of arrangements for public access to Garden Island after the Naval
Facility is completed in 1975.
It will be recalled the Prime M4inister announced in May
that it was intended about iCOO acres and 10 miles of beaches on
the Island would continue to be available to the public.
Agreement has also bcen reached in principle on the
State Government's proposal to transfer the Explosives Depot from
Woodman Point to a location adjacent to the Naval Armament Depot
on Garden Island. This would free the area currently occupied by
the State Depot at Woodman Point for inclusion in the State's plan
for development of tourist facilities in that area.
The location of the State Explosive Depot on the Island
will marginally reduce the area available for public access.
However, apart from the restricted areas associated with the
Armament and Explosives Depots, and the areas envisaged for the
Naval facilities, it is intended that the remainder of the Island
be made available for use by the public.
The respective areas are delineated on the attached
map. Transport to the Island will continue to be mainly by
the present means of small craft on a daily basis only. Access
to the beaches is the major public attraction. In the overall
interests of preservation of the ecology and flora and fauna,
access to the inland areas will be limnitod to designated
walking trails.
2.
The State plans to establish limited tourist
facilities to the south of the historical area at Cliff Head
and it is proposed that visits by approvc tourist buses to this
area be permitted. The possibility of the State erecting a
tourist jetty near Cliff Head is also to be explored.
A detailed plan of management will now be drawn up for
approval by the Commonwealth and State Govern-ments subject to
the resolution of certain financial and legal aspects.
In concluding the arrangements for public access,
special provisions will be necessary and will be incorporated
for the protection of the flora and fauna and the sensitive
ecology of the Island generally. Due recognition must be given
to the security of the Naval facilities and p~ ossible future Naval
expansion. The Prime *:;. inister and the Premier both expressed
gratification tE. hat there is now every expectation that thc
arrangements worked out will, as well as meeting the defence
needs of the Navy, also meet the interests of the people of
Western Australia who wish to continuo to enjoy the various
attractions of this area.
CANBERRA, 19 November, 1972
mile
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~ Sns INDIANOCEAN SOU N D
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I State Explosivec Depot
zrent Jetty Armament Depot
SCIIEDULE OF ZONES
z ISIOU MUSE ff flyl. 43 .11A! 01
0 ) AIAAMChT D[ PCT
C 11ITORIC RISER-o
a CON-EXNOSIYES AREA
I IMINIKSi IDI RE IICKTIG AUO
DAMIAGE CONTIROL
f SlAG( 14EXTUENT WORX3
9 FOSS18LI ILTURE CI FUEL DEPOT
a 4ARRACXS
I MIGK LEVEL WATER STORAGE
J WHARF MID V/ ORXSXOP FACILMfE!
K tOSSI l. FUTURE AIRFIELD
I POSSIDLE AITERMATI ILTUIE
79ASUITTII STATIONI
0 PQSSISLL FUTURE IlPR E
L GF, NT)
Restricted Out of
bounds to the Pub1H
Restricted T'ublic
entry or traverse
at own risk
Available ior
Public Access
( Approx. Beach
distances indicates)
Historical Area Ct) M