Australia: Port Development Threatens Great Barrier Reef, AMCS Says

The Australian Marine Conservation Society has  warned about the impacts on the highly vulnerable Great Barrier Reef as a result of massive port development planned by the Queensland Government.

Plans to expand current and build new ports will affect the feeding and breeding ground of the Reef’s unique species and result in thousands more ships ploughing through the Reef each year, said Felicity Wishart, the Society’s Reef Campaign Director.

“Just before Christmas the government called for expressions of interest to develop the world’s biggest coal terminal less than 50kms from the iconic Whitsundays. That will mean thousands of ships and millions of tonnes of dredged sea floor, right next to a place renowned for its natural beauty.

“The Queensland Government seems determined to support the mining industry at any cost.

“First they cut environmental protection laws, then they push for the world’s biggest coal port, despite international concerns that it will threaten one of the world’s most iconic environments.

“These terminals and their traffic will threaten the Great Barrier Reef and the fishing, diving, tourism and related local economies.

“The Reef is one of the world’s great natural wonders and Australia is its custodian. We cannot allow this World Heritage icon to be turned into an industrial park and a shipping super-highway.

“More coastal industrialisation means more ships. Since 1993, there have been 5 collisions and 9 groundings near the reef; 80% of them caused by human error. More ships risks more accidents, more spills and more wildlife killed.

“More ports means more dredging of the nurseries of our fish seagrass feeding grounds for turtles and dugongs.

“Gladstone has felt the terrible impacts from massive port development. It seems it will be Bowen next and Mackay and Cairns after that.

“A strong Queensland economy needs a healthy Reef. Reef-related tourism employs over 60,000 people and every year is worth $6 billion dollars to the Australian economy. The Government’s first responsibility is to protect and maintain the Reef for the long term future of Queensland,” said Ms Wishart.

[mappress]

Press Release, January 7, 2013; Image: westernbasinportdevelopment