UNESCO’s “extreme concern” for the future of our Reef is warranted. Despite 68 million cubic metres (or 40 Melbourne Cricket Grounds’ worth) of seabed already having been dug out of Reef harbours since 2000, the big miners want to dredge another 58 million cubic metres (34 Melbourne Cricket Grounds’ worth) for coal and gas ports. A massive 32 MCG’s worth of that ‘dredge spoil’ (sea bed!) will be dumped right back into World Heritage waters.
To make matters worse, the Federal Environment Minister, Tony Burke, wants to give his powers to protect the Reef to Campbell “we’re in the coal business” Newman.
Tell Minister Tony Burke that his report to UNESCO on 1 February 2013 is not strong enough to protect the Reef from a World Heritage In Danger listing in June 2013, and call on him to stop the frenzy of dredging, dumping and shipping for fossil fuels and stand up for a sustainable future for our Reef.
