GreatBarrierReef

Australia has announced an additional A$100m ($78m) of funding for the Great Barrier Reef Trust in a bid to support the implementation of the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan.

This latest funding will be used to tackle key challenges facing the reef, in particular projects to improve water quality amid fears of environment damage following mining expansion, and would also raise the Reef Trust amount to A$140m ($109m).

With these monies, the overall investment by governments in the Reef exceeds $2bn over the next decade.

The plan is set to draw together all the work, expertise and science required to manage the reef for the next three decades and beyond.

Separately, coral reef scientists in Australia have called for the scrapping of coal mining and port developments in Queensland to prevent damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

"Scientists in Australia have called for the scrapping of coal mining and port developments in Queensland to prevent damage to the Great Barrier Reef."

Five Australian universities have compiled an Australian Coral Reef Society (ACRS) report, which was submitted to the United Nations. The investigation warns that ‘industrialising the Great Barrier Reef coastline will cause further stress to what is already a fragile ecosystem.’

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

According to the report, nine proposed mines in the Galilee Basin in central Queensland would produce coal that will emit an estimated 705 million tonnes of carbon dioxide at capacity.

In the ACRS report, the scientists urged the importance of rethinking plans to expand the Abbot Point port, near the town of Bowen, as well as calling for a halt to the Galilee Basin mines, which are supported by Queensland and federal governments.

The expansion requires dredging five million tonnes of seabed to support more shipping movements through the reef and will also increas the amount of coal dust blowing around the area.


Image: Satellite image of part of the Great Barrier Reef adjacent to the Queensland coastal areas of Airlie Beach and Mackay. Photo: courtesy of NASA.