Growth threatens Great Barrier Reef: UN report More details have
emerged from a damning report by a UN agency into the health of
the Great Barrier Reef. UNESCO representatives visited the Reef
in March to check on the World Heritage Area's health. A draft
report warns the region's health is being threatened by
overdevelopment, noting a rapid increase in development
approvals affecting the reef since 2008. It says the rapid
increase of coastal developments is a significant concern, and
questions the management of Gladstone Harbour. The report says a
range of new projects are up for approval, from mining and
transport to tourism, and that the unprecedented scale of
development poses serious concerns for the reef's long-term
conservation. It has urged the Queensland Government to refuse
approval of any new port development or associated
infrastructure outside of existing ports until 2015. Federal
Environment Minister Tony Burke says there are no projects
proposed in fragile areas before then. "The ones that are