Great Barrier Reef in Danger

The world's largest barrier reef--yes, it can be seen from space--is in danger from development of Australia's Queensland coast. The UNESCO World Heritage Committee issued advice that the reef could be listed as endangered if the development continues at the same pace. Natural gas facilities and other types of industrial and residential development at a high rate pose serious concern for the Reef's long term conservation according to the Committee. The report was issued at the Committee's annual meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Australian Environment Minister reportedly "welcomed" the report which he said contained "no surprises". The Australian Green Party which is part of the governing coalition said the UNESCO report was a "slap in the face for the federal and Queensland governments which must now stop their dredging, dumping and shipping to avoid international embarrassment". The coral reefs and islands were put on the World Heritage List in 1981, and they are home to 400 types of coral, 1500 species of fish, and 4,000 types of mollusk. The Great Barrier Reef extends from southern Queensland to Papua New Guinea covering over 7,000 square miles. Some of the 600 islands are large enough to have forests and freshwater streams.

Concern over coastal development centers on the mines of the Galilee basin in central Queensland. Additional shipping facilities are proposed to meet the production of nine new coal mines in the area. The first mine was approved by the Queensland government on May 29th, and Gladstone Harbor is being dredged to accommodate two liquified natural gas plants on Curtis Island. The Premier made no bones about his priorities: the coal business comes before environmental protection. Tourism associated with the Reef generates only about $5.1 billion annually. Greenpeace calculates that up to 10,150 coal ships could cross the Barrier Reef by the end of the decade. On April 4, 2010 the coal ship Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Reef and spilled about 2.5 tons of oil but no coal. [photo courtesy Maritime Safety Queensland] An average of two accidents has occurred each year since 1985 according to the environmental group. Some progress has been made in improving water quality entering the Reef. Nitrogen runoff from regulated farms has declined by 14% since 2010 according to the Queensland government, but funding for improving water quality runs out in 2013. UNESCO said the Reef could be listed "in danger" if Australia does not give it evidence of substantial progress in protecting the Reef from development by 2013.