Media release
1 February 2013
The Gillard Labor Government renewed its
commitment to protecting the Great Barrier
Reef for the future with the State Party
Report on the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area released today.
Federal Environment
Minister Tony Burke said that the management
and protection of the reef is a top priority
and we are committed to adapting and improving
management to meet future challenges.
"The Great Barrier
Reef is an iconic Australian environmental
asset, the Gillard Government is absolutely
committed to the protection of the Reef
and our oceans," Mr Burke said.
"We have been acting
to protect our precious oceans by delivering
the world's largest network of marine reserves
including the Coral Sea marine reserve."
The State Party Report,
presented to the World Heritage Committee
today, addresses the 2012 decision of the
World Heritage Committee and the recommendations
of the 2012 joint World Heritage Centre/International
Union for the Conservation of Nature monitoring
mission.
"This Report highlights
the government's actions so far including
by conducting a comprehensive strategic
assessment, and progressing the independent
Review of the Port of Gladstone.
"It highlights
Australia's best practices in marine park
management and confirms our willingness
to share our expertise with other countries
experiencing similar conservation issues.
"It outlines how
the Gillard Government is improving the
resilience of the Reef through its water
quality improvement programs and research
initiatives, the Great Barrier Reef zoning
plan, the Coral Sea Marine reserve and introducing
a price on carbon to address threats from
climate change.
"The Gillard Government
is acting to protect the Reef, we have already
invested $200 million in the Reef Rescue
program and have committed to the next stage
of funding.
"We will also provide
an additional $800,000 to fight the crown-of-thorns
starfish, building on the $1.43 million
announced last year.
"Of this funding,
$700,000 will put a second boat on the water
to remove crown-of-thorns starfish on high-value
tourism reefs identified as being under
threat and $100,000 will go to the Australian
Institute of Marine Science to undertake
studies into finding innovative, longer-term
solutions to the control of crown-of-thorns
starfish by single injection."
The World Heritage Committee's
report included a series of decisions for
Australia to strengthen arrangements to
protect and manage the Reef.
"We have made substantial
progress in addressing the recommendations
made by the World Heritage Committee including
agreement to conduct one of the most comprehensive
strategic assessments ever undertaken in
Australia," Mr Burke said.
The Commonwealth and
Queensland governments are currently progressing
draft strategic assessment and program reports
and these will be released for public comment
in the first half of the year.
"The strategic
assessment will assist in future planning
for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area by determining where sustainable development
can occur, the type of development that
will be allowed and the conditions under
which development may proceed."
Mr Burke said the Government
has also progressed an independent and public
review of environmental management arrangements
and governance of Queensland's Port of Gladstone.
"The Gladstone
review was a key recommendation of the World
Heritage Committee and will provide an opportunity
for the many people concerned about the
status of the reef to have their say.
"Work has progressed
on the review and today I can announce that
Ms Anthea Tinney has accepted the position
as Chair of the review."
Ms Tinney is currently
the Chair of the Australian National Commission
for UNESCO, Chair of the Sydney Harbour
Federation Trust, a member of the Australian
Government's Independent Communications
Committee and a member of the board of the
CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation
of the Environment.
The State Party Report
is a progress report that builds on the
information provided in the previous State
Party Report of 2012.
