Media Alert
23 October, 2009
Nine out of 10 West Australians concerned about long term oil spill damage
Majority support for marine sanctuaries to provide long term protection
Almost 90 per cent of West Australians believe the long running oil spill off the
Kimberley coast will cause long term damage to the marine environment,
including marine life, new research released to has found.
A national poll by Essential Research found that many more people in WA
than in the rest of Australia are concerned about the impacts of the oil spill
and want a network of marine sanctuaries put in place.
The research, conducted over the last week, also found that West Australians
believe oil and gas exploration should be excluded from areas that are
important for marine life, such as feeding and breeding areas.
Key findings include:
79% of people nationally believe it is likely that the oil spill of the
Kimberley coast in Western Australia will cause long term damage to
the natural environment, including marine life.
In WA, concern is much higher, with 89% of people surveyed agreeing
it is likely the oil spill will cause long term damage to marine life.
In WA, 56% of people support preventing oil and gas exploration in
areas important for marine life.
87% of West Australians support the establishment of a network of
large marine sanctuaries off the Kimberley coast to protect marine life
from oil spills and other pollution.
Only 6% are opposed to the idea.
“Nine out of 10 West Australians believe the Kimberley oil spill will result in
long term damage to the globally significant marine environment. This is
despite government and industry assurances that there will be little damage
from the spill,” John Carey from the Pew Environment Group said.
“An overwhelming majority of West Australian also support a network of large
marine sanctuaries being established off the Kimberley coast to provide
marine life with a safe haven from oil spill and other disasters.
“There is clearly a high level of public concern about the damage this long
running oil spill will cause and a clear message for government about what
the next steps should be – a network of large marine sanctuaries to safeguard
the marine environment and marine life.”
Media enquiries: John Carey, 0400 450 399
NEWS 
