9 November 2009

Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook and Tablelands Councils will celebrate their commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef by officially becoming Reef Guardian Councils today.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) Chairman Dr Russell Reichelt said the Great Barrier Reef was facing unprecedented pressures and it was initiatives like Reef Guardian Councils that would help ensure the Reef was well placed to meet the challenges ahead.

"The Great Barrier Reef is at a crossroad and it is decisions made in the next few years that are likely to determine its long-term future.

"Initiatives such as the Reef Guardian Councils program will help to ensure the resilience of the Reef in the face of a changing climate.

"The Reef Guardian Councils program was developed by councils for councils and today's launch brings together years of work by many local governments along the Great Barrier Reef coastline," Dr Reichelt said.

"The program recognises councils' existing environmental projects while providing them with a fantastic opportunity to broaden current on-ground projects and engage their local community in the idea that we all have a part to play in ensuring our Reef remains healthy for future generations.

"The Reef Guardian Councils initiative follows the GBRMPA's highly successful Reef Guardian Schools program and builds on the recognition that effective protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef requires coordinated efforts from all levels of government, industry and communities.

"We are delighted that Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Cook and Tablelands Councils have recognised the importance of the program in protecting the Great Barrier Reef and taken this opportunity to officially come on board as Reef Guardian Councils."

Speaking on behalf of the four councils, Cassowary Coast Mayor Bill Shannon said the program would provide a clear link between councils' current environmental initiatives and Great Barrier Reef.

"As councils located within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, we have a unique challenge and responsibility to ensure that our environmental practices are among the best in Australia.

"We are looking forward to identifying future initiatives under the Reef Guardian Program that will help to further protect Australia's national icon."

Dr Reichelt said the joining of the four councils would bring the total number of Reef Guardian Councils to 10.

"We congratulate all of the new Reef Guardian councils and look forward to working closely with them to address pressures from climate change and to build the resilience of the Reef by improving water quality flowing from the catchment to the Marine Park."