Reef port development still uncertain

As a result of Australian pressure, the commission recently deferred for 12 months a formal declaration that the reef is “in danger”.

It did however accept three UNESCO recommendations governing management of the area. These are that there should be no approval for new developments that impact the reef or for developments outside existing port footprints, and that environmental laws protecting the reef be strengthened.

Australia’s Federal environment minister Tony Bourke said the decision recognised the Australian government’s commitment to protecting the reef. Protective actions taken by Federal and state governments include a comprehensive strategic assessment of the reef, progress being made on an independent review of environmental management arrangements of the port of Gladstone, developing an integrated marine-monitoring framework for the reef, abandoning plans to expand Abbot Point and the release of a draft ports strategy limiting port development to existing areas.