Asia/Pacific News
Ports and LNG Are a Threat To Australia's Great Barrier Reef
According to a UNESCO report filed last week, several industrial developments may result in Australia's Great Barrier Reef being listed as a world heritage site "in danger" within the next year.
The United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) sited key threats including ports, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, and coastal development as Australia is enjoying a wave of resource investment resulting from booming demand from Asia.
The report recognized that in spite of the Australian organisations managing the reef and adopting high-quality practices, there is a continuing decline in the quality of some parts of the reef.
Another suggestion included keeping future port infrastructure plans limited to "existing and long-established" ports in the fastest-developing region of Queensland, Australia's northeastern state where the reef is located.
Other concerns listed included the grounding of ships since several commercial shipping routes pass through the Great Barrier Reef as well as climate change and poor water quality.
The report, citing the findings of a mission to the world's largest living structure in March, further indicated that the reef's universal value "is threatened and decisive action is required to secure its long-term conservation."
Tony Burke, Australia's Environment Minister indicated that "while these issues are complex, we are committed to addressing them through a range of approaches both on land and in the marine environment".
Burke further acknowledged some "very significant" decisions to be made regarding the reef's future, noting that some of the projects most concerning to UNESCO had been scaled back since their visit.
The World Heritage Committee will meet in St Petersburg later this month where they will further discuss the report.
