jaybee
04-12-2003, 05:56 PM
ABC News
Posted: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 1:27pm AEST
The controversial final plan for the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park finally reaches Federal Parliament today.
The plan will increase protected areas on the reef from less than 5 per cent to more than 30 per cent.
More than 30,000 public submissions and two years of planning will come to fruition when Environment Minister Dr David Kemp tables the new plan in the House of Representatives this afternoon.
Conservationists have welcomed the plan, but commercial and recreational fishing groups claim they will suffer financially and have demanded compensation from the Government.
Dr Kemp says the negative impacts on fishing have been cut by 50 per cent after consultation over the draft zoning plan.
"The impacts are not going to be large overall but there will be impacts in particular areas, and the Government is determined that everybody who is impacted in that way will be treated fairly," he said.
Dr Kemp says it is likely the plan will be passed by Parliament by the end of March.Last Update: Wednesday, December 3, 2003. 2:27pm (AEDT)
Posted: Wed, 3 Dec 2003 1:27pm AEST
The controversial final plan for the rezoning of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park finally reaches Federal Parliament today.
The plan will increase protected areas on the reef from less than 5 per cent to more than 30 per cent.
More than 30,000 public submissions and two years of planning will come to fruition when Environment Minister Dr David Kemp tables the new plan in the House of Representatives this afternoon.
Conservationists have welcomed the plan, but commercial and recreational fishing groups claim they will suffer financially and have demanded compensation from the Government.
Dr Kemp says the negative impacts on fishing have been cut by 50 per cent after consultation over the draft zoning plan.
"The impacts are not going to be large overall but there will be impacts in particular areas, and the Government is determined that everybody who is impacted in that way will be treated fairly," he said.
Dr Kemp says it is likely the plan will be passed by Parliament by the end of March.Last Update: Wednesday, December 3, 2003. 2:27pm (AEDT)