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Western Australia's Ningaloo Coast has been nominated for United Nations World Heritage listing by the Australian Government, in recognition of its priceless natural value.

The Federal and Western Australian Governments officially nominated an area of more than 700,000 hectares, including Ningaloo Reef and Exmouth's Cape Range, for consideration to be listed alongside existing World Heritage sites such as the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef.

A United Nations committee in Paris will this year send a delegation to inspect the area, before deciding in about 18 months whether to accept the nomination.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett said Ningaloo had extraordinary environmental values, stating "World Heritage listing will provide recognition at an international as well as national level."

The Ningaloo area is home to some of Australia's most iconic marine animals, including dugongs, whale sharks, turtles, whales and dolphins, and countless other species that call the 240 kilometres reef home.

The area has also been added to Australia's National Heritage list.

If approved by the UN World Heritage Council, it will join the 17 Australian sites already granted World Heritage status including the Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu national parks.

Western Australian Environment Minister Donna Faragher said the State Government would remain largely responsible for management of the area, which would expect a surge in visitor numbers if the heritage nomination was successful.

Minister Faragher said World Heritage listing would be a "badge" to signal Ningaloo's international importance to the world.

Conservation Council WA spokesman David Mackenzie said he hoped the WA Department of Environment and Conservation's budget would be increased to give it the funds to manage the expected tourism rush without causing damage to Ningaloo. 

23rd October 2009 - NEW WORLD HERITAGE SITE RECOMMENDED FOR DUNEDIN CITY

9th October 2009 - NEW PROGRAM TO OFFER UNIQUE NATIONAL PARK EXPERIENCES

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