WWF-Australia today said the Great Barrier Reef would be a major economic and environmental issue in the Queensland state election.
WWF-Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman said: “We’re calling on all political parties to make strong commitments to protect the Reef”.
In particular WWF-Australia said commitments were needed to support the following six-point plan:
• Ban dumping and minimise dredging in the World Heritage Area
• Stop farm pollution harming the Reef
• Protect precious wetlands and pristine areas of the Reef coast forever
• Protect our rivers, bushland and community rights through strong and fair laws
• Bring back our fish, turtles, dugong and precious wildlife
• Turn down the heat on the Reef – Make Queensland a Renewable Energy State
“Our Great Barrier Reef is worth $ 6 billion to the economy and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world,” Mr O’Gorman said
“We haven’t seen enough yet from both the Government and Opposition. Now our political leaders have the chance to tell people how they are going to turn around the Reef’s decline.
“An Essential Research poll last month found only 1 in 5 Australians thinks enough is being done to preserve the Reef.
“It’s clear that a business-as-usual approach is not washing with Queenslanders.”
Source: WWF-Australia
Image Source: Coral reef around Mast Head Island, Queensland, Australia. © WWF-Canon / James Morgan.
