The Federal government’s approval of the Embley bauxite mine and port project in western Cape York will mean up to 900 additional ship movements through the Great Barrier Reef, increasing the risk of accidents and spills.
92 per cent of Australians are concerned about the impact of increased shipping through the Great Barrier Reef.
Australian Marine Conservation Society, Great Barrier Reef Campaign Director, Felicity Wishart said there are already 4,000 ships navigating through the Great Barrier Reef every year.
“Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke’s approval of the Embley bauxite mine in Cape York will add an extra 900 ship movements criss-crossing our Reef every year,” Ms Wishart said today.
“One mistake or misadventure from one ship could create lasting damage to the Reef, its precious wildlife and the 60,000 tourism jobs that rely on it.
“Local economies would also take a hit – the Great Barrier Reef tourism industry is worth more than $6 billion a year but only if the natural wonder remains healthy.
“Parts of the Reef are still recovering from the Shen Neng 1 disaster where a coal carrier ran aground on Douglas Shoal more than three years ago.
“Queenslanders have not forgotten the disaster, nor do they want to gamble that the next shipping incident may be even worse.
“Despite the Minister’s conditions which he believes will reduce the impacts to the environment, this is yet another decision that risks turning the World Heritage Area into a shipping superhighway,” Ms Wishart said.
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