Barrier Reef not-so-Great anymore

Barrier Reef not-so-Great anymore
By admin


With the Great Barrier Reef on the cusp of being placed on the “World Heritage in Danger” list, a re-elected Federal Labor has outlined plans to impose a ban on capital dredge spoil being dumped in the area in a bid to protect the Australian icon, a move welcomed by tourism officials.

“The Great Barrier Reef is an Australian icon. It’s the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, is home to thousands of types of marine animals and attracts millions of visitors each year,” Shadow Minister for the Environment Mark Butler said.

“But the Reef is under pressure from a range of impacts. The World Heritage Committee is currently considering whether the Reef should be placed on the “World Heritage in Danger” List.

“This would be a disastrous outcome for Australians. Labor has recognised the urgency for taking immediate action that will protect the Reef from the impacts of coastal development,” Butler said.

News of the plans was welcomed by Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Tourism, Anthony Albanese, who said the Reef was not just an environmental asset, but an economical one as well employing 65,000 people and contributing $6 billion to the Australian economy every year.

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