Published Monday, 17 November, 2008 at 10:42 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Climate Change Minister To Face Farmers
In the next phase of the Queensland Government’s push to protect the endangered Great Barrier Reef, canegrowers and graziers will be able to put their case directly to the Government in public meetings in local areas.
Minister for Climate Change, Sustainability and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, has announced the first meeting will take place next Sunday in Home Hill, south of Ayr, 11am-1pm.
“I know that the Government’s move to regulate run off into the reef has caused concern in the farming community,” Mr McNamara said.
“I want to hear about those concerns directly from those working on the land – and to hear their solutions to the pressures facing the reef.
“Our decision to act has angered some, and I do not expect to be welcomed by all, but I need to hear the views of the community,” he said.
The Minister said the pressures on the Great Barrier Reef are outlined in both the 2007 Water Quality Report and the independent Scientific Consensus Statement.
“These reports are warning bells. We now know that the reef has the looming threat of climate change which cause coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
“Phosphorous discharge levels are four times higher than they were before European settlement, and nitrogen discharge is five times higher.
“We have an obligation to our grandchildren to do all we can to prepare the reef for the growing threat – by reducing the pressure on it from run off.”
There will be three public meetings: Home Hill November 23; Ingham November 30; and Proserpine December 14.
Issues to be discussed will include nutrient and pesticide water pollution from canefarming, riparian and wetland degradation, as well as nutrient water pollution from cattle grazing on slopes, gullies and soil run off.
“The Opposition have so far refused to indicate their support for the measures we have taken and I think the people of Queensland have a right to know whether they intend to get behind the plan to save the reef,” said the Minister.
Premier Anna Bligh announced at the Cairns Regional Parliament (Oct 28) that the government will spend $50 million over five years to support regulation to prevent agricultural water pollution in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
Ms Bligh said all the scientific evidence pointed to the fact the Reef is dying, despite all the good work farmers and industry have voluntarily done to address water quality and the use of pesticides through better management practices, under the 2003 Reef Plan.
Media contact: Wendy Nye 3336 8004
Minister for Climate Change, Sustainability and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, has announced the first meeting will take place next Sunday in Home Hill, south of Ayr, 11am-1pm.
“I know that the Government’s move to regulate run off into the reef has caused concern in the farming community,” Mr McNamara said.
“I want to hear about those concerns directly from those working on the land – and to hear their solutions to the pressures facing the reef.
“Our decision to act has angered some, and I do not expect to be welcomed by all, but I need to hear the views of the community,” he said.
The Minister said the pressures on the Great Barrier Reef are outlined in both the 2007 Water Quality Report and the independent Scientific Consensus Statement.
“These reports are warning bells. We now know that the reef has the looming threat of climate change which cause coral bleaching and ocean acidification.
“Phosphorous discharge levels are four times higher than they were before European settlement, and nitrogen discharge is five times higher.
“We have an obligation to our grandchildren to do all we can to prepare the reef for the growing threat – by reducing the pressure on it from run off.”
There will be three public meetings: Home Hill November 23; Ingham November 30; and Proserpine December 14.
Issues to be discussed will include nutrient and pesticide water pollution from canefarming, riparian and wetland degradation, as well as nutrient water pollution from cattle grazing on slopes, gullies and soil run off.
“The Opposition have so far refused to indicate their support for the measures we have taken and I think the people of Queensland have a right to know whether they intend to get behind the plan to save the reef,” said the Minister.
Premier Anna Bligh announced at the Cairns Regional Parliament (Oct 28) that the government will spend $50 million over five years to support regulation to prevent agricultural water pollution in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
Ms Bligh said all the scientific evidence pointed to the fact the Reef is dying, despite all the good work farmers and industry have voluntarily done to address water quality and the use of pesticides through better management practices, under the 2003 Reef Plan.
Media contact: Wendy Nye 3336 8004