Scientific evidenceScientists are telling us that there are damaging levels of fertiliser, sediment and pesticide in Barrier Reef’s waters.
The vast majority of these pollutants are from cattle and sugarcane production. The Queensland Government has set a target to reduce the levels of dangerous pesticides and fertilisers found in reef waters by 50 per cent in four years. Farmers must follow a range of new controls and restrictions for the pesticides
Environmental Risk Management PlansThe Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009 commenced on 1 January 2010 as Chapter 4A of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The legislation is known as the Reef Protection Package, and a major component of the package is the requirement for cane farmers in the Wet Tropics catchment growing cane on more than 70 hectares to prepare and submit for accreditation an Environmental Risk Management Plan (ERMP). ERMPs must be submitted to the department by 30 September 2010.
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The Great Barrier ReefQueensland’s most treasured ecosystem and is worth $6 billion to the economy, supporting 63,000 jobs.
The reef is suffering from a range of environmental and human factors, including farming activities in the catchments that flow into its waters. Scientific evidence is telling us that there are damaging levels of fertiliser, sediment and pesticide in reef’s waters. The Queensland Government has introduced the Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009. The new legislation is a mix of strict controls on farm chemicals and regulations to improve farming practices at the least cost to taxpayers. ERMP PreparationZingspace
ERMPs must be submitted by 30 September 2010 |
Environmental Risk Management PLANS
www.ermp.com.au
