The Power of Collaboration: Protecting Billingooroo and Saving Turtles

Image credit: Dr Melissa Staines (2024), Jaala Ozies (L) & Dr Melissa Staines (R).

On behalf of my Djukun Elders, I took on a mission that was close to our hearts: to help protect Billingooroo, a sacred site on Djukun Country, by advocating to permanently close Cable Beach (North) in Broome to vehicles. This iconic beach known to the Djukun people as Billingooroo, is not only a place of breathtaking beauty but also a site of deep cultural significance and ecological importance. For the Djukun, Billingooroo is a sacred site, and it is where the Goolibel—turtles in the Djukun language—come to lay their eggs.

Advocating to permanently close Billingooroo to vehicles was understanding that this task was bigger than just one community's effort, I knew I had to learn more about the unique wildlife at risk, particularly the vulnerable flatback turtles that call this area home. This led me to seek collaboration with experts who could help bring attention and expertise to our cause.

In my search for knowledge, I reached out to Dr Melissa Staines, a renowned turtle expert who has been studying sea turtles in their natural habitats across Australia and Asia-Pacific since 2017. I wanted to learn everything I could about saving turtles and ensuring their survival. Melissa's insights were invaluable. She informed me that turtle nests require specific conditions to ensure successful hatching—something that can be easily disrupted by vehicles on the beach. She also explained that turtle hatchlings are attracted to lights at night, which can lead them away from the ocean and waste their valuable energy reserves. This information highlighted the urgent need to protect their nesting sites at Billingooroo.

What happened next was a testament to the power of collaboration. Melissa not only supported our petition but also offered to share it with her extensive networks. Within hours of our meeting, the valuable insights into turtle hatchlings allowed us to better communicate the urgency of our cause to a broader audience. As a result, the petition to protect Billingooroo had received more than 3,000 signatures. Within 24 hours, it had gained over 5,000. The overwhelming response was both humbling and inspiring. It was amazing to see how many people from different walks of life were united in their support for this worthy cause.

This experience clearly demonstrates the power of collaborating with like-minded individuals who are committed to protecting our environment and preserving cultural heritage. Working together, we can amplify our voices and make a significant impact. The support we have received is not just about numbers; it is about the collective energy and determination of people who believe in the importance of protecting Country and wildlife.

The urgency of our cause is further underscored by recent developments in environmental protection. The Victorian government has taken a strong stance against off-road driving, banning all off-road 4WD driving across the entire state. According to their website, "it’s illegal to take vehicles off-road on public land. This means you cannot drive or ride on natural areas, single tracks, walking and cycling trails, or through riverbeds and streams." This policy sets a powerful precedent and serves as an inspiring example of what can be done to protect vulnerable environments.

The success of our petition in such a short time is inspiring and demonstrates the impact that collaboration and collective action can have. We have shown that when people come together to protect the environment and cultural heritage, significant progress can be made. However, the work doesn’t stop here.

We are calling on all our supporters to take this effort a step further. You can help by sharing the petition with your networks and by writing to Divina D'Anna, MLA for the Kimberley region, at Divina.DAnna@mp.wa.gov.au. A simple message like, "Divina, we are urging you to protect the turtles and the Djukun sacred site located at Billingooroo by permanently closing Cable Beach (North) to vehicles," can make a significant difference.

The journey is far from over, but the response so far has given us hope. Together, we can advocate for the permanent closure of Billingooroo to vehicles, ensuring that Billingooroo and the turtles that nest there are protected for generations to come. This collaboration has shown us that when we come together, we are stronger, and we can achieve great things.

We encourage everyone who believes in this cause to continue sharing the petition. With your help, we can keep the momentum going and secure the protection that Billingooroo deserves. The power of collaboration is real, and together, we can make a difference. Let’s stand firm, protect our sacred sites, and save the turtles that rely on these shores for their survival.

Check out the Protecting Billingooroo petition link;

https://www.change.org/p/protecting-billingooroo-a-call-to-permanently-close-cable-beach-to-vehicles

Reference

State Government of Victoria.(2024).Vehicle use. https://www.vic.gov.au/vehicle-use