Recent concern from UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee about impacts of LNG processing plants and massive dredging operations on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef, and its effects on the long-term health of the Reef, is cause for national embarrassment.

“Dredging at Gladstone is just one of many threats facing the Great Barrier Reef. We’ve got unprecedented numbers of turtles, dugongs and dolphins washing up dead all along the coast. We’ve got diseased turtles in the southern part of the Reef near Townsville, and an outbreak of a mysterious fish disease that has closed Gladstone Harbour to fishing.

“Loss of food sources, agricultural pollution and interaction with fishing nets are some of the prime suspects in these deaths. Until these problems are resolved it would be reckless to stress the Reef any further by allowing new major developments.”

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee said Australia did not notify them as required about the LNG and dredging approvals at Gladstone Harbour, within the World Heritage Area, that will see 46 million cubic metres dredged over the next 20 years.

The World Heritage Committee has now asked for a comprehensive strategic assessment of the entire Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, which would identify any future developments that might impact on its World Heritage Values.

“It is a national embarrassment that our ability to look after this precious natural icon is now being questioned by the international community,” Mr Hoobin said.

“We must consider the cumulative impacts on the Reef of all major developments, together with the range of other pressures on marine wildlife, if we are to come up with a strategy that will truly protect this global icon.”

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