Queensland Governmental ignores UNESCO on Great Barrier Reef for mega ports

Australia’s snubfin dolphin and other marine life face new threats. That’s to their survival. All after the Queensland Government revealed draft plans. Consequently for massive industrial development. Worst part, it’s building mega ports along the Great Barrier Reef coast.

What is the Great Barrier Reef?

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest reef systems. It’s also stretching along the East coast of Australia. That’s from the northern tip. Then down to the town of Bundaberg. For it includes about 2,900 individual reefs. In addition, it also has 940 islands and cays. According to their Department of the Environment, it stretches for 2,300 kilometres (1,616 mi). It also covers an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometres (133,000 sq mi).

In addition, the reef is located in the Coral Sea. That’s off the coast of Queensland. Located in northeast Australia. So a large part of the reef is also protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

WWF-Australia today expressed alarm. For that’s over the Queensland Government’s draft plans. Especially to open up sites up and down the Queensland coast. That’s to huge new port developments  For they said the strategy pushed the Reef one step closer. All to being listed on UNESCO’s ‘World Heritage in Danger’ list.

 

UNESCO Action

So it seems earlier this year, UNESCO delivered a ‘show cause’ notice. Directly to the Australian and Queensland Governments. Also they requested that no new reef mega ports development. In addition, no associated infrastructure outside of the existing and long-established major port areas. They should not be permitted. This came from WWF spokesperson Richard Leck.

“The Queensland Government’s Great Barrier Reef Ports Strategy puts them on a collision course with UNESCO. For that’s by flagging new ports in areas that are currently undeveloped. Also or at a very small scale.

The Queensland Government agreed that any port expansion will be concentrated. Especially in areas where long established ports already exist. For that’s such as Gladstone Harbour. But today’s announcement is terrible. For new ports are set to be green-lighted is horrid. I mean around 60 kilometres north of Gladstone. That totally flies in the face of the Government’s earlier commitment to UNESCO.

Mega Port

In addition, this Newman Government plan confirms Port Alma and Balaclava Island. For they are within the World Heritage Area. Then they state they are earmarked. All for future development. So that’s effectively creating a Gladstone to Rockhampton / reef mega port.

So this proposed development has sites located within Keppel Bay. In addition to the Fitzroy River Delta. All which is home to the recently discovered Australian Snubfin dolphin. In addition to four species of turtles. An independent scientific report confirms the worst. I mean that the Balaclava Island development idea is bad. For  would have a disastrous impact. Especially on these threatened species.

Because the last thing Queenslanders want to see is this! I mean for the Great Barrier Reef is the type of massive, unfettered development. All that occurred in Gladstone Harbour. Then being repeated along the coast.

“WWF is keen to work with the Queensland Government. Especially to ensure that a plan is developed. One that avoids this fate and keeps the Great Barrier Reef. That’s from being listed as ‘World Heritage in Danger’.”

Source: WWF