Tuesday 8 March 2011

Bundaberg Regional Council has today shown its commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef by partnering with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to officially become a Reef Guardian Council.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Chairman Dr Russell Reichelt said the Great Barrier Reef faced increasing pressures and Local Government commitment to initiatives like Reef Guardian Councils helped ensure the Reef was well placed to meet the challenges ahead.

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

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

"Reef Guardian Councils is an innovative program that recognises councils' environmental projects while encouraging participants to foster environmental stewardship of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park through increased commitment to best management practices.

"I am delighted that Bundaberg Regional Council has recognised the importance of the program in protecting the Great Barrier Reef and taken this opportunity to come on board as a Reef Guardian Council.

"I congratulate the Council and we 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."

Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Cr Lorraine Pyefinch said becoming a Reef Guardian Council was an important step.  

“We pride ourselves on being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” Cr Pyefinch said.  

“It is so important from both tourism and environmental perspectives to preserve the Reef for future generations and becoming a Reef Guardian Council will help us achieve this."

Ends...

Media enquiries: 0408 195 198