Gladstone, Queensland, Australia – Storage Silos on the Gladstone waterfront. Photo source: ©© Nickj
Excerpts;
The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, the core of the world’s largest reef, will be assessed to ensure future development along Queensland’s coast is sustainable and the reef’s unique natural values are protected, the Australian and Queensland governments said Saturday. A monitoring mission from the UN educational and cultural arm, UNESCO, will visit Queensland next month to examine concerns about major port developments and other potential threats to the World Heritage listed reef.
But WWF challenged the Australian Government’s view that the Great Barrier Reef is being sustainably managed, expressing “extreme concern” at port development and dredging impacts in the World Heritage area, the Australian Government submission to UNESCO claims the Reef was being sustainably managed, WWF citing publications showing that coral had declined by up to 50 per cent..
“The Government’s conclusion is simply not supported by the science,” leader of WWF’s Great Barrier Reef program Nick Heath said…
World Heritage in danger: Up to 50 % coral loss on the Great Barrier Reef, WWF
WWF Questions Government’s Great Barrier Reef Plans, Dredging Today
Assessment Could Streamline Great Barrier Reef Coastal Development, Environment News
Australia’s Government Plans To Increase Sand Dredging In Great Barrier Of Reef Area
Figures obtained through Senate Estimates reveal more than 112 million cubic metres – or 65 Melbourne Cricket Grounds – are proposed to be dredged from the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area, with 52 million cubic metres already approved by the Federal Government.
