$50m reward for reef heroes welcomed
02 Jul 2009
WWF today said the Australian Government’s $50 million ‘downpayment’ to help farmers protect the Great Barrier Reef was a significant step towards saving the iconic Reef and the 65,000 jobs that depend on it for their survival.
Today’s announcement forms part of a $200 million Reef Rescue election commitment to foster better farming practices along Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef coast, and protect the $6 billion reef-related tourism industry from toxic pollution and climate change.
“WWF celebrates those farmers along Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef coast making the change to best practice farming methods, and fully supports these heroes of the reef being rewarded with a $50 million package to help them save this global icon,” said WWF spokeperson Nick Heath.
Pollutants from farm pesticides and fertilisers, rising temperatures associated with climate change and over-fishing are presenting serious threats to the 2,000km reef’s long-term survival. It has been estimated that 80% of rivers draining to the Reef breach water quality guidelines.
Last year 1,000 farmers along the Great Barrier Reef catchment area applied for funding to help them switch to more innovative precision agriculture that doesn’t threaten the reef with highly toxic pesticides.
The Government expects another 2,000 farmers will soon join them in making the switch, which is good news for the Reef and for the $6 billion tourism industry it supports.
“Much of what we do on land ends up in the ocean. Rain flushes farm mud and chemicals into rivers and out on to the reef. If we are to give our iconic reef the best chance of withstanding climate change, we must ensure its water quality is as clean as possible.”
WWF urged other farmers along the Great Barrier Reef coast to also make the change, and said new farm regulations will not affect them if more farms voluntarily made the change to best practice.
Mr Heath also urged the Federal Government to focus future allocations on farmers in the north of the state whose farms are closer to the coast and where pollution events are more likely.
More information
Charlie Stevens, WWF Media Manager – Queensland
Phone: 02 8202 1274, Mobile: 0424 649 689
Nick Heath, WWF Reef and Rangelands Program Leader
Phone: 0418 885 324
