The Queensland Greens say that the evidence that fertiliser and pesticide run-off onto the Great Barrier Reef is reducing is great news but the state government is ignoring one of the greatest threats that the reef has ever faced and that is dredging for port development and heavy metal contamination from mining.
The Greens were responding to the Premier's release of a study, Reef Protection Package Impact Statement- 2012, in Parliament today.
“Premier Anna Bligh and Environment Minister Vicky Darling have overseen one of the worst years for marine wildlife deaths along the Queensland coast ever,” Queensland Greens state spokesperson Libby Connors said this afternoon.
“It is extraordinary that the Premier should seek to take any credit given the damage inflicted on parts of the reef this year.
“All the good news being done by sugar cane farmers and cattle graziers in northern parts of the reef catchment is undermined by the salts and heavy metals that the open-cut mines of central Queensland send down the Fitzroy River every day into its precious delta and Keppel Bay.
“The Greens will be happy to issue congratulations to the Premier when she is prepared to undertake the necessary scientific studies on the long-term downstream effects of mining discharges on the southern parts of the reef as recommended by Professor Barry Hart in 2008.” Spokesperson Libby Connors said it seemed strange that the Premier wanted to draw attention to her government’s management of the reef when UNESCO had requested that the government cease its destructive port development activities in Gladstone just a few months ago.
“The destructive LNG development on Curtis Island has been an international embarrassment but this government has simply pressed ahead as if it is business as usual.
“The recently announced Coastal Plan even excludes port developments so that harmful dredging can be undertaken in more fragile marine environments for new ports near Mackay.
“Queenslanders concerned about the reef cannot afford to waste their votes on either major party.
“We must have Green voices in the state parliament if we are to save the reef and its wonderful wildlife.”
Contact: Libby Connors 0429 487 110
Libby Connors is Queensland Greens state spokesperson and candidate for Yeerongpilly