Douglas residents protest at Cairns reef rally
Douglas residents protest at Cairns reef rally
Monday April 7 2014
Douglas Shire residents have joined forces with wildlife warrior Bob Irwin to protest major dredging projects near the Great Barrier Reef.
More than 400 protestors marched through the Cairns CBD on Sunday, rallying against the Federal Government's plan to dredge and dump three million cubic metres of spoil from the Port of Abbot Point near Gladstone.
The rally, organised by the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, also aimed to draw attention to the State Government's pledge to widen and deepen Trinity Inlet in Cairns.
Mr Irwin said the World Heritage listed reef must be protected.
"The Great Barrier Reef does not belong to the government, it does not belong to short-term industrialisation, it belongs to every single one of us," he said.
The Douglas Shire Sustainability Group [DSSG] said around 50 protestors had driven from the Douglas region to Cairns for the rally.
In February, the group held a rally in Port Douglas with more than 600 protestors attending.
DSSG President Kevin Eldridge said the strong turnout reflected the community's disapproval of the dredging proposals.
"I think it sends a clear message that communities across Queensland are willing and prepared to get out on the streets and voice their concerns about the industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Eldridge said.
Environmental campaigner June Norman said the Abott Point development to expand coal port terminals would be 'a disaster' for the Great Barrier Reef.
"It's just unrealistic to believe that if you dump millions of tonnes of dredge, even if it is 40 kilometres from the Great Barrier Reef that it's going to staying in the one place," Ms Norman said.
"The sediment is going to move. It's only 50 kilometres from the Whitsundays and it will take no time at all before it pushes down that far and further.
"I just think any dredging, especially if it means dumping on the reef is just not on."
Mr Irwin said the reef was too precious to lose.
"It is my personal view that the Great Barrier Reef is the greatest natural structure that has ever been given to the people of this world," he said.
"Why would we under any circumstances whatsoever want to put the Great Barrier Reef in jeopardy?"
In late March, the Mackay Conservation Group filed a complaint against the dredging and dumping of spoil from the Port of Abbot Point at the Federal Court in Brisbane.
Around $150,000 was raised by individuals through advocacy group GetUp! to mount the legal challenge.
Ms Norman said protests across Queensland had been encouraging.
"I'm really excited that people are coming on board because the only thing that's going to stop this is people power," she said.
