CONSERVATION ISSUES FOR THE MITCHELL PLATEAU - KIMBERLEY REGIONS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Conservation issues are major concerns in a world where the expansion of human population has impacted on areas once protected by remoteness. The Mitchell Plateau, considered by some to be "the last large relatively untouched wilderness in Australia was threatened by bauxite mining proposals until 2015. The Mitchell Plateau contains a variety of wildlife - some unique and some endangered. It also contains unique and ancient Aboriginal Art. What happened in 2105 gave heart to those wishing to protect the unique features of the Plateau. This event is also a prelude to the much larger conservation issues that will be covered when the proclamation of the extended Kimberley (by far the largest in Australia) is finalised. If you have an interest in conservation issues then this unit and the following unit on the Kimberley National Park provides information and resources for consideration. The attachments provide a summary worksheet. Work through the need for conservation and understand how the wilderness of the north west Kimberley land and coastal waters will be protected.