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Greg Hunt defends government over Great Barrier Reef protection Greg Hunt defends government over Great Barrier Reef protection
(3 days later)
The environment minister, Greg Hunt, has strongly defended the government’s protection of the Great Barrier Reef after a UN report raised doubts over his plan to devolve decisions impacting the ecosystem to the Queensland government.The environment minister, Greg Hunt, has strongly defended the government’s protection of the Great Barrier Reef after a UN report raised doubts over his plan to devolve decisions impacting the ecosystem to the Queensland government.
Unesco’s World Heritage Committee recommended that Australia be praised for its progress towards improving water quality and its preparation of a long-term plan to guide development beside the reef.Unesco’s World Heritage Committee recommended that Australia be praised for its progress towards improving water quality and its preparation of a long-term plan to guide development beside the reef.
But Unesco said it had “concern” over the approved dredging and dumping of seabed sediment within the Great Barrier Reef marine park and questioned why “major decisions” on development had been taken before the long-term plan has been released.But Unesco said it had “concern” over the approved dredging and dumping of seabed sediment within the Great Barrier Reef marine park and questioned why “major decisions” on development had been taken before the long-term plan has been released.
Unesco said concerns over the governance of the reef means that it is too soon to devolve environmental approvals to Queensland – part of a signature policy by Hunt to create “one stop shops” for environmental protection, run by the states.Unesco said concerns over the governance of the reef means that it is too soon to devolve environmental approvals to Queensland – part of a signature policy by Hunt to create “one stop shops” for environmental protection, run by the states.
“Increased attention is needed to complete the required work on reviewing governance of the property and the transfer of decision-making powers from the federal level to the state level appears premature until the governance requirements to implement the long-term plan for sustainable development have been considered,” Unesco’s report said.“Increased attention is needed to complete the required work on reviewing governance of the property and the transfer of decision-making powers from the federal level to the state level appears premature until the governance requirements to implement the long-term plan for sustainable development have been considered,” Unesco’s report said.
In a further blow for Hunt, Unesco said that his contention that the reef’s water quality will achieve a 150% net benefit following the dredging at Abbot Point “appears inappropriate” given the “uncertainty about the impacts of dredge material plumes beyond the disposal site”.In a further blow for Hunt, Unesco said that his contention that the reef’s water quality will achieve a 150% net benefit following the dredging at Abbot Point “appears inappropriate” given the “uncertainty about the impacts of dredge material plumes beyond the disposal site”.
Unesco said the “range of significant threats” facing the reef means that “significant concerns remain regarding the long-term deterioration of key aspects of the outstanding universal value of the property.”Unesco said the “range of significant threats” facing the reef means that “significant concerns remain regarding the long-term deterioration of key aspects of the outstanding universal value of the property.”
However, the reef won’t be listed as “in danger” at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Qatar in June, with a decision deferred to 2015.However, the reef won’t be listed as “in danger” at the World Heritage Committee meeting in Qatar in June, with a decision deferred to 2015.
Hunt said the report was “a positive outcome for Australia and we can be proud of our achievements in protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.Hunt said the report was “a positive outcome for Australia and we can be proud of our achievements in protecting the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
“The draft decision recognises the hard work being undertaken to protect and manage this vast and priceless ecosystem. It is pleasing to note that it welcomes the initiatives Australia is already undertaking to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”“The draft decision recognises the hard work being undertaken to protect and manage this vast and priceless ecosystem. It is pleasing to note that it welcomes the initiatives Australia is already undertaking to protect the Great Barrier Reef.”
Hunt stressed that the long-term development plan will be released for public comment prior to the handover of environmental powers to Queensland.Hunt stressed that the long-term development plan will be released for public comment prior to the handover of environmental powers to Queensland.
He defended the Abbot Point decision, which will see 5m tonnes of seabed dumped within the marine park in order to expand the coal port, as being compliant with Australia’s international obligations and pointed to work done to improve water quality and to control an outbreak of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.He defended the Abbot Point decision, which will see 5m tonnes of seabed dumped within the marine park in order to expand the coal port, as being compliant with Australia’s international obligations and pointed to work done to improve water quality and to control an outbreak of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.
Unesco has previously raised concerns over the level of infrastructure beside the reef, calling for port development to be limited to existing port areas.Unesco has previously raised concerns over the level of infrastructure beside the reef, calling for port development to be limited to existing port areas.
The Queensland government, which has committed to this restriction, said Unesco’s report shows its “efforts have now been acknowledged internationally.”The Queensland government, which has committed to this restriction, said Unesco’s report shows its “efforts have now been acknowledged internationally.”
But environmental groups have severely criticised the handover of environmental powers, claiming that the Queensland government has placed the mining industry above the reef.But environmental groups have severely criticised the handover of environmental powers, claiming that the Queensland government has placed the mining industry above the reef.
“A recent report by the Queensland audit office found Queensland is failing to administer or enforce environmental regulation,” said Glen Klatovsky, director of the Places You Love alliance, which represents 40 conservation groups.“A recent report by the Queensland audit office found Queensland is failing to administer or enforce environmental regulation,” said Glen Klatovsky, director of the Places You Love alliance, which represents 40 conservation groups.
“By their own findings, the Queensland government has a track record of neglect when it comes to administration and enforcement of environment laws. It is absolutely appropriate for Unesco to call for better governance arrangements at a state level, before the federal agenda to devolve environmental powers is progressed.”“By their own findings, the Queensland government has a track record of neglect when it comes to administration and enforcement of environment laws. It is absolutely appropriate for Unesco to call for better governance arrangements at a state level, before the federal agenda to devolve environmental powers is progressed.”
Unesco’s warning comes as submissions close on a parliamentary inquiry into environmental regulation. The federal government has pledged to cut back “green tape” by devolving environmental assessments and approvals for things like coal mines and ports to the states, claiming this will speed up applications and bolster business certainty while maintaining high standards.Unesco’s warning comes as submissions close on a parliamentary inquiry into environmental regulation. The federal government has pledged to cut back “green tape” by devolving environmental assessments and approvals for things like coal mines and ports to the states, claiming this will speed up applications and bolster business certainty while maintaining high standards.
In its submission, the Australian Network of Environmental Defender’s Offices said faster approvals could lead to water and air pollution, plant and animal extinctions and erode public confidence in government decision making.In its submission, the Australian Network of Environmental Defender’s Offices said faster approvals could lead to water and air pollution, plant and animal extinctions and erode public confidence in government decision making.
“If states seek to further fast-track major projects by reducing assessment processes,
 public participation or judicial scrutiny, this will lower environmental standards,” the legal group said.“If states seek to further fast-track major projects by reducing assessment processes,
 public participation or judicial scrutiny, this will lower environmental standards,” the legal group said.
“ANEDO strongly opposes moves to reduce environmental regulation merely to ease perceived pressure on business and fast-track major development.”“ANEDO strongly opposes moves to reduce environmental regulation merely to ease perceived pressure on business and fast-track major development.”
• On 5 May 2014 the photograph on this article was changed. A previous version showed an aerial view of the reef.