Coalition’s Great Barrier Reef Protection Plan
13/08/10
A Coalition Government would help to protect the Great Barrier Reef by supporting local communities to take direct action to preserve this magnificent icon.
The Great Barrier Reef is Australia’s greatest natural icon and should be protected against threats which may affect its future.
In addition to maintaining existing programs the Coalition will deliver a further $5 million investment to reduce the nutrient run-off that can harm the reef and for efforts to turn back the spreading tide of the Crown of Thorns starfish.
The Coalition believes that local communities know how to look after their assets best.
That is why we would offer $3 million in grants of up to $50,000 to individual farms or community groups to carry out nutrient runoff reduction programs to improve the long term health of the Great Barrier Reef.
It is clearly desirable to reduce the volume of chemicals and fertilisers from agricultural areas into waterways that lead into the reef.
The program would commence on 1 July 2011. It compares however with the ALP’s approach of a total ban on modern chemicals and nutrients which was to have been announced by Peter Garrett today.
In addition a further $2 million will be invested with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to implement a Crown of Thorns Eradication Plan.
The Crown of Thorns starfish causes terrible damage to reef areas. Furthermore the starfish are spreading across the reef at an alarming rate.
We will work with the Australian Marine Park Tourism Operators Association and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, as well as community groups in developing the Crown of Thorns Eradication Plan. The Funds will be administered by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
The Coalition’s $5 million additional investment in the Great Barrier Reef will provide practical and effective measures to help protect this international jewel in our tourism crown.
It is both important to the long term health of the Reef and the long term health of tourism and the Reef.
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