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I hope the Great Barrier Reef recovers in full and continues to flourish.
UNESCO heritage experts decide not to list Great Barrier Reef as 'in danger'
World heritage experts have decided not to officially list the Great Barrier Reef as being "in danger", but warned Australia it still has more to do to stop continuing damage to this natural wonder. UNESCO's world heritage body, based in Paris, commissioned an expert report on the threats to the reef, including climate change, pollution run-off from the mainland and continuing coastal development. These problems were made worse by major storms and floods, increasing concern for the survival of the reef and its precious plant and animal ecosystems. However submissions by the federal government and Queensland state governments convinced the World Heritage Committee and its advisors they were making "significant progress" in addressing the problems. In a draft decision published late on Friday the WHC welcomed commitments to reduce pollution run-off by 80 per cent by 2025, to restrict new port development in the area and limit dredging, and to reverse an earlier decision to dump dredge material near the reef.
However the committee warned that some of the commitments had not yet been made law or been backed with adequate funds. "The proposed investment framework should be established as a matter of priority," the WHC decision said. The committee also requested that Australia update them on progress in a review in 2017. When it meets in Bonn next month, the WHC may accept or modify the draft decision. Both federal and Queensland governments welcomed the decision. A joint media release from Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Environment Minister Steven Miles said the WHC had "acknowledged the significant and unprecedented work undertaken by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments". "All references to 'in danger' have been dropped and Australia and Queensland's efforts have been praised," the statement said.
UNESCO heritage experts decide not to list Great Barrier Reef as 'in danger'
World heritage experts have decided not to officially list the Great Barrier Reef as being "in danger", but warned Australia it still has more to do to stop continuing damage to this natural wonder. UNESCO's world heritage body, based in Paris, commissioned an expert report on the threats to the reef, including climate change, pollution run-off from the mainland and continuing coastal development. These problems were made worse by major storms and floods, increasing concern for the survival of the reef and its precious plant and animal ecosystems. However submissions by the federal government and Queensland state governments convinced the World Heritage Committee and its advisors they were making "significant progress" in addressing the problems. In a draft decision published late on Friday the WHC welcomed commitments to reduce pollution run-off by 80 per cent by 2025, to restrict new port development in the area and limit dredging, and to reverse an earlier decision to dump dredge material near the reef.
However the committee warned that some of the commitments had not yet been made law or been backed with adequate funds. "The proposed investment framework should be established as a matter of priority," the WHC decision said. The committee also requested that Australia update them on progress in a review in 2017. When it meets in Bonn next month, the WHC may accept or modify the draft decision. Both federal and Queensland governments welcomed the decision. A joint media release from Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Queensland's Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Environment Minister Steven Miles said the WHC had "acknowledged the significant and unprecedented work undertaken by the Commonwealth and Queensland governments". "All references to 'in danger' have been dropped and Australia and Queensland's efforts have been praised," the statement said.