Save Ningaloo Station

SAVE NINGALOO STATION


Hello friends, family and all those who share an affiliation and love for "Wilderness camping" on the Ningaloo coast. 

I am excited to announce that we have started a GoFundMe fundraiser to show our support for the Lefroy family and to help raise the legal funds required to save Ningaloo Station. Please help us reach our goal with a small donation, even $5 helps bring us closer to that goal; as will sharing this link as far and wide as you can.  Let’s get the word out there!

The Lefroys have held the Ningaloo pastoral lease since the 1930 and three generations of the family have been born, lived, worked and died on the station and know no other life.

In 1995 the Minister for Lands renewed the Ningaloo pastoral lease, with four conditions endorsed thereon, for 39 years from July 1, 2015, as per the Land Act 1933. The Supreme court held that two of the four conditions endorsed on that lease renewal was contrary to Land act and as such the lease renewal was deemed "Null and void".

In 2000 we commenced managing the "Wilderness camping" to ensure environmental protection was afforded to the surrounding areas and subsequently the authorities issued to the Lefroys a licence to undertake "Wilderness camping" on six specific sites along the Ningaloo coast and as such we have developed the pastoral  business and camping to the high standards required.

In 2002 the Department of Parks and Wildlife advised us they were intending to excise 48% of our station, which ironically contained all of the six "Wilderness camping" areas, all eleven stock watering points, our homestead, air strip, staff quarters, shearing shed and shearers quarters, Point Cloats lighthouse and keepers quarters, and associated buildings, we were left with 52% of nothing, in fact every piece of infrastructure the Lefroys owned was included in the proposed area to be excised. We decided to contest the excision in the Supreme court but unfortunately the case was dismissed. We now stand to be evicted from our homestead and deprived of all employment and income and just as important all "Wilderness camping , as we know and love, will cease.

Senior council has examined the courts decision and recommended we appeal to the Court of Appeal so  we are raising funds to assist the Lefroy family to appeal the courts decision to not renew our pastoral lease and retain the "Wilderness camping" on the lease.

All funds raised will be used exclusively for the legal cost of appealing the court’s decision and will be held in a specific account.  

This cause means the world not only to the Lefroy family but also to the many thousands of "Wilderness Campers" who enjoy camping at Ningaloo station.

Each and every person should have the right to choose the type of accommodation/camping they desire along the Ningaloo coast, regardless of the cost. If you prefer caravan parks visit Exmouth or Coral bay, if you prefer sterile camping go the the National park, if you prefer $680 per person per night Eco camping go the the National park and if you prefer five star accommodation visit Exmouth town but leave the 5 million star "Wilderness camping " at Ningaloo station alone. 

We would like to thank you all and express our deepest appreciation. Your past, present and future support will ensure that "Wilderness Camping" which has been enjoyed by generations of campers, will continue on Ningaloo station for the life of the pastoral lease.