Australian government approves prawn farm near Great Barrier Reef

Gabrielle Dunlevy, AAP, Sydney Morning Herald 5 Mar 10;

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has approved Australia's largest prawn farm, despite concerns about the impact of the $40 million facility on the Great Barrier Reef.

Pacific Reef Fisheries plans to build 259 land-based aquaculture ponds, each covering one hectare, adjacent to the Elliot River at Guthalungra, north of Bowen, Queensland.

The facility would grow 2,500 tonnes of black tiger prawns by 2012 and inject $13 million a year into Queensland's economy.

Mr Garrett on Friday announced the plan was approved with 19 strict conditions to protect the World Heritage area.

The conditions would set an example of best practice environmentally sustainable development, Mr Garrett said.

"Under the conditional approval granted today, Pacific Reef Fisheries will be required to monitor seagrass, coral and water quality in Abbot Bay, and provide regular results to my department," he said in a statement.

"Should the levels of nutrients and sediment entering the bay from the facility increase to above those I approved, operations must be reduced or stop immediately, the incident must be reported to my department, and a review of processes must be done."

But conservation group WWF said the federal government must look at the cumulative effect of several large developments proposed for the Bowen area, which include large-scale water infrastructure and a port expansion.

WWF reef catchments manager Piet Filet told AAP he was pleased conditions had been placed on the prawn farm but a long range view was also vital.

"There's a range of activities happening in that area that on a one by one basis, may look harmless, but ... the federal government must look at whether they have the best mix of projects," Dr Filet said.

"It's great to see that conditions are put on this prawn farm, that's good practice.

"But what does it mean to the World Heritage area, that's where the Australian government has a very strong responsibility."

Before the facility is built, the design and operation arrangements must be independently assessed and certified.

The farm would be constructed in stages, so its impact on the reef could be monitored, Mr Garrett said.

"The reef must be protected not only as a priceless natural resource, but as a fundamental part of the Queensland economy," he said.

"This project demonstrates that positive environmental results can be achieved while also supporting employment and local economies."

Garrett 'ignored' advice from scientists
The Cairns Post 6 Mar 10;

UNDER siege Environment Minister Peter Garrett appears to have ignored the advice of yet another group - this time scientists, who urged him to extend a research program in north Queensland.

Mr Garrett, stripped of his energy efficiency portfolio after he was accused of ignoring safety warnings about the trouble-plagued home insulation program, also ignored advice from a group set up to advise him about Reef and rainforest research, a whistleblower says.

The Marine and Tropical Science Research Facility Ministerial Advisory Council, made up of representatives from regional business and industry, research organisations, indigenous and community groups, had recommended Mr Garrett extend research to other parts of the Great Barrier Reef and make scientific data more freely available to the community.

But after it made these recommendations to Mr Garrett in 2008, the advisory council was sacked, and its role taken on by another committee, made up of only scientific and public service representatives.

Former Chairman of the MTSRF Ministerial Advisory Council John McIntyre fears the dismissal of the council, in 2008, may eventually lead to the North's scientific resources being steered away from local stakeholders, and instead come under the control of Federal bureaucrats.

It comes as 20 scientists - including key researchers - have quit their positions in Cairns, with many more expected to follow, out of concern there will not be enough funding for future research projects in North Queensland.