CAIRNS, Australia (10 Mar 2003) -- PLANS for an artificial island featuring water slides, a wedding chapel and underwater cafe to be anchored on the Great Barrier Reef are under fire with the rejection of the developer's draft report and imminent legal challenges from environmentalists. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority returned Sunlover Cruises' draft public environment report on its "EcoReef Centre" because 18 points fell outside guidelines, needed clarification or did not meet the criteria. Sunlover plans a 3900sq m concrete pontoon, bigger than a football field, to be based at Moore Reef, about 50km off Cairns. The facility would be twice the size of the company's existing pontoon at the Reef and was scheduled to open in October 2004. The developers have already held negotiations with representatives of the area's traditional Aboriginal owners, who live at Yarrabah near Cairns. But a spokesman involved in the negotiations said the development would be blocked unless the traditional owners received more information on scientific and engineering studies concerning effluent treatment, the structure's capacity to withstand high-force cyclonic winds and anchor points. "They are very concerned about the health of the environment because any damage would have a direct effect on quality of life and the ability to hunt fish, turtles and dugongs," he said. Part of the demands of the traditional owners would see some employed to put on traditional dance displays for the tourists and also in the day-to-day running of the business. It is understood these demands were not included in the draft report sent by Sunlover to the Authority. The developers are set to face legal challengers from environmental groups. | | "I pronounce you husband, wife & coral reef rapists" Underwater explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau and the Great Barrier Grief Committee began a campaign to drum up international support to fight against the development on two fronts – the environmental impact and the "visual pollution". Port Douglas naturalist and underwater film-maker Ben Cropp said the pontoon was "no different to building a great big hotel in front of any of the waterfalls at the Tableland". Sunlover Cruises managing director Terry Russell said he was working within environmental and legal guidelines. Mr Russell said it would take Sunlover a couple of months to respond to the Authority's questions. SOURCE - Courier Mail |
