PM’S $60M FOR REEF
Turnbull adds $10m for war on crown-of-thorns starfish
PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull (left) has promised an “all-out assault” on crown-of-thorns starfish as part of a new $60 million package to save the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Turnbull hinted at the new funding during an inviteonly politics-in-the-pub session in Cairns yesterday, with the Cairns Post the only media outlet in attendance.
The package, which will be unveiled in Townsville today, includes $10.4 million to more than double the number of crown-of-thorns starfish control vessels currently patrolling Queensland’s waters.
Another $36.6 million will go towards reducing sediment and chemical run-off entering the reef, with millions also set aside for research and development and increasing the number of field officers running patrols.
Mr Turnbull observed a moment’s silence, at yesterday’s afternoon pub meeting in Cairns, to honour the recent death of a Far North business icon.
THE number of crown-of-thorns starfish control vessels will be more than doubled under a new $60 million Great Barrier Reef funding suite.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will unveil the package in Townsville today as he continues the North Queensland tour that began in Cairns yesterday.
The Federal Government will spend $10.4 million for what Mr Turnbull labelled an “all-out assault on coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish” to increase the number of culling ships from three to eight.
Another $36.6 million will go towards measures to reduce run-off pollution entering the reef, giving farmers incentives to cut down soil erosion, improve nutrient management, and restoring coastal and riparian vegetation in reef catchments.
“This $60 million funding boost over 18 months will set in motion a major research and development program for coral reef restoration,” Mr Turnbull said.
“For the first time the Commonwealth will bring together key agencies to explore ways the reef can best adapt to the changing environment to protect it for decades to come.
“By supporting the development of innovative new reef technologies we are also helping to cement Australia’s international reputation as a strong innovation-driven economy.”
The Australian Institute of Marine Science and CSIRO will share in $6 million to scope and design the program to develop heat-tolerant corals with a focus on leveraging private investment.
Mr Turnbull said $4.9 million would be spent to boost the number of field officers protecting the reef and the 64,000 jobs that rely on it.
“It is a vibrant, resilient ecosystem and one of the bestmanaged coral reef ecosystems in the world,” he said.
“While it is facing increasing threats we intend to remain leaders in reef management.
“The specific science focus of the R & D funding is part of the government’s broader focus on science, innovation and jobs and the central role they will play now and into the future.
“Innovation and science are key to future employment opportunities for Australians.”
Jobs and Innovation Minister Michaelia Cash will lead the science program in consultation with Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg, working closely with CSIRO chief Dr Larry Marshall and Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel.
“We particularly look forward to supporting women and girls to participate in all the opportunities STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) provides,” Mr Turnbull said.