CAIRNS, Australia (1 Feb 2003) -- Federal Environment Minister Dr David Kemp says a development application for the Great Barrier Reef will be considered carefully. Sunlover Cruises is seeking approval for an upgrade to a pontoon at Moore Reef, east of Cairns where the company conducts scuba diving and snorkeling activities. Environmentalists have slammed the proposal, claiming it would contain multiple storeys, but the company says the concerns are unfounded. Dr Kemp says the public will be consulted. | | "They are in the process of getting the report, once they're satisfied that they've got sufficient information in that report, they'll make sure that it's out for public comment," he said. "So there will be a very transparent process involved in relation to that and nothing whatever is going to be allowed that will damage the World Heritage values of the reef." SOURCE - ABC |
