WWF-Australia said the final Reef 2050 plan, released two days ago, includes a number of good initiatives but the $100 million in new funding announced by the federal government falls short of what’s required to halt the Reef’s decline and remove the threat that it is listed ‘World Heritage in danger’.
The joint Australian/Queensland Government blueprint is the key factor to be considered by the World Heritage Committee when it decides this June whether to list the Reef.
“ It’s a positive sign to see the new Queensland Government’s Reef election commitments have been added to the plan including the intention to ban the dumping of dredge spoil in the World Heritage Area ,” said WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman.
“ Whilst we welcome the Federal Government’s ban on dumping in the marine park we repeat our call for a federal ban to cover the entire World Heritage Area because that would provide the strongest level of protection.
“It’s critical that we see a ban implemented before the World Heritage Committee meets in three months’ time.”
“ The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority must also be given the legal powers and resources it needs to become a champion for the Reef, ” he concluded.