The management of the Burrup Peninsula will come under the control of a special nine-member board.
Deputy Premier Ian Taylor today said Alan Graham of the Pilbara Development Commission would chair the board which included a broad cross section of community interests on the peninsula.
Other members were Noel Ashcroft of the Department of State Development, John Mills of Woodside, Susan Starr representing the local community, Bron Hyland from the Shire of Roebourne, Garth Hammonds of the Dampier Port Authority, Ron White of Hamersley Iron, Gladys Walker representing the Aboriginal community and Hugh Chevis from the Department of Conservation and Land Management.
Mr Taylor said the board was established following a recommendation from the `Pilbara 21' study that recognised the Burrup as a vitally important area for industry, culture, the environment and recreation.
All vacant Crown land on the peninsula would be vested in the board.
Its main task would be to develop a framework for land-use that would allow for future industrial growth while preserving areas for recreation.
"It also is important to set aside those parts of the peninsular that have Aboriginal cultural significance as well as historical significance to the non-Aboriginal community through the early Pilbara pioneers," Mr Taylor said.
Ashburton MLA Fred Riebeling welcomed the appointment of the board.
"The Burrup has some unique environmental areas that should be preserved but industry has shown that it can work on an environmentally conscious way and this should continue."
He said the establishment of the board showed the Government was serious about implementing the `Pilbara 21' report which provided a long-term sustainable plan for the economic and social development of the region.
