Great Barrier Reef Minister to deliver Virginia Chadwick Memorial Lecture

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Dr Steven Miles is honoured to be delivering the Virginia Chadwick Memorial Lecture tomorrow night (Thursday 11 August) in north Queensland.

Dr Miles will present the 2^nd Virginia Chadwick Memorial Lecture: The Great Barrier Reef – a critical conversation at the Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville.

“As Queensland’s first Minister for the Great Barrier Reef, I am delighted to be invited to address this gathering of eminent scientists, managers and advocates who are committed to protecting the reef,” Dr Miles said.

“I will be talking to them about how we must work together to improve our collaborative management of this precious asset and secure the future of the reef.

“As a former Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Virginia Chadwick was renowned for her outstanding leadership and environmental work. It is critical we build on the foundation of strong management she created.

“Tomorrow night I intend demonstrating how the Queensland Government is going to allocate funding to deliver cleaner water for a healthy Reef, and will address the issues that will make the most difference,” Dr Miles said.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $100 million to protect the Great Barrier Reef over five years and has increased surveillance of reef areas affected by coral bleaching.

In the recent budget, the Queensland Government delivered a record reef investment of $57 million annually.

“We are focused on protecting the Great Barrier Reef for the future of our environment, and for the future of Queensland tourism,” Dr Miles said.

“By working together and focussing our efforts on the most cost-effective solutions, we can deliver widespread benefits for the reef and the communities who live along the coast.”

The Virginia Chadwick Memorial Foundation was established to carry on the work of the late Virginia Chadwick who was the Chair of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for eight years (1999-2007).

Her leadership resulted in many significant achievements in the Great Barrier Reef including worldwide acclaim for the rezoning of the marine park in 2004.

The Foundation undertakes a range of activities including environmental education and partnerships, Indigenous opportunities, networking and knowledge sharing especially in regard to the Great Barrier Reef but also other coral reefs and associated ecosystems around the world.

ENDS

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