Operation Hawkfish helps ensure Great Barrier Reef island operators are environmentally compliant

Six government agencies have joined forces to conduct a special week-long operation ensuring Great Barrier Reef island resort operators are environmentally compliant in the Whitsunday Islands.

Minister for Environment Dr Steven Miles today revealed Operation Hawkfish targeted licensed operators across ten inshore island locations between Mackay and Bowen.

“This is the first time these government agencies have worked together on a joint operation like this one, and it won’t be the last,” Dr Miles said.

“The Whitsunday Islands were the focus because of the concentration of operators in what is a crucial tourism area.

“The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) led the joint effort between 11 and 17 October 2016.

“This is a great example of government working together with tourism operators and the community to ensure we preserve the beauty of our Great Barrier Reef for the long term.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind welcomed the Government’s co-operative approach in ensuring the state’s tourism industry is meeting all relevant standards.

"In the tourism industry, we value the professionalism and environmental commitment of every member, the overall success of the industry depends on it,” Mr Gschwind said.

“We’re pleased that in this operation, the government’s focus was primarily on providing advice and assistance to operators, and helping to raise the bar.”

The agencies involved in this operation included the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Queensland Police Service, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Maritime Safety Queensland, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Australian Border Force.

Of the 10 operators inspected, seven were found to be non-compliant under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

If a corporation is found to contravene a condition of an environmental authority, the potential maximum penalty is $548,550.

The issues identified were mainly minor, and related to compliance, environmental licensing and coastal approvals and will be followed up by the department.

“There were several non-operating locations checked including resorts on Brampton Island, Lindeman Island, one of the three on Long Island, South Molle Island and Hook Island,” Dr Miles said.

“Despite the number of operators being non-compliant, overall the operation was very well received with operators being able to ask a wide range of questions of multiple agencies that were answered on the spot,” he said.

Dr Miles said the operation involved land based remote island inspections on resort operators who hold environmental authorities, such as water and sewage treatment and stormwater; or coastal activities including dredging and coastal structures.

“EHP officers completed these inspections, but also spent a lot of time educating the community and operators on best environmental practice and coastal approvals,” he said.

“We wanted to ensure companies were also following regulations on their water and sewage treatment, waste storage and disposal, as well as being compliant for any quarrying and dredging that may be occurring,” Dr Miles said.

EHP allows companies to complete these environmentally relevant activities as long as they comply with their environmental authorities and coastal approvals.

“It is then EHP’s job to make sure they are complying, which is why operations like these are so important,” Dr Miles said. 

ENDS

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