Media Release, Sunday 1 December 2002

15,000 rally against giant marina resort

Protestors in Fremantle included well-known identities; author, Tim Winton, basketballer, Luc Longley, stockbroker, John Poynton, West Coast Eagles coach, John Worsfold, Fremantle Dockers captain, Peter Bell and team-mate, Trent Croad.

Peter Tagliaferri, Mayor of Fremantle, welcomed the crowd and later said, �It was the biggest rally in living memory in Fremantle.�

Speakers delivered the message that the community would not accept the marina resort and would take the issue to the next election if necessary. Sustainable, low-impact development was advocated as an achievable and responsible alternative.

Tim Winton said �The Premier will be in no doubt about the public mood on this issue. It was an awesome display of public feeling. For every person at the rally, we know that dozens more feel the same. By the time the head of the kilometre long march returned to the Esplanade, the tail was still leaving.�

Simultaneously, people gathered at the remote Ningaloo towns of Coral Bay and Exmouth. Quiet at this time of year, the whole town of Coral Bay gathered at the proposed site at Mauds Landing and was greeted by the sight of giant manta rays where the seawalls would be built. Over two hundred people also rallied in Exmouth. Both gatherings delivered messages of solidarity from Tim Winton.

Campaign spokesperson, Paul Gamblin, said, �Action in these towns today shows the overwhelming support in the region for sensitive development which will not harm the environment. After all, that is what underpins the tourism industry.�

More information on this site.

Media Contact: Paul Gamblin, Save Ningaloo campaign spokesperson