UNESCO report shows Great Barrier Reef narrowly avoided ‘In Danger’ listing, group continues calls for Reef HQ lifeline

A new UNESCO report has highlighted the precarious status of the Great Barrier Reef, as calls for funding towards the rebuild of Townsville’s reef education centre push on.

This underwater photo taken on April 5, 2024, shows bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometres (167 miles) north of the city of Cairns. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)

A new report has highlighted of the status of one of Australia’s environmental wonders, as calls for funding towards the rebuild of Townsville’s reef education centre continue.

The UNESCO report, released on June 25, showed that the Great Barrier Reef narrowly avoided being on the “In Danger” list, but warned that Australia must do more to preserve the Reef, with a progress report due in February 2025.

Citing education as a critical implementation, scientist Tim Flannery said societal change is needed across the country and the world to reduce the impacts of climate change.

“In Australia we must recognise the Great Barrier Reef’s plight as a national emergency, and we must do something about this,” he said.

“Education is paramount in ensuring we can save the Great Barrier Reef- and that starts with our National Education Centre – the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium in Townsville.”

Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith at empty site of the proposed new aquarium in Flinders Street. Picture: Evan Morgan

Professor Flannery said with the future of the Reef HQ development still up in the air, it was disheartening to think about the prospect of losing a ‘globally renowned education facility.’

“Saving our Great Barrier Reef is the job of everyone,” he said.

“Everyone in society can play a role in promoting what is happening and urging action. If our National Education Centre is not fully funded, it makes me wonder if we’ve lost focus on the Great Barrier Reef as a nation.”

Chief executive officer for Townsville Enterprise Limited Claudia Brumme-Smith, who have been fighting to save Townsville’s Reef HQ, said the education centre for the Great Barrier Reef had been the centrepiece of UNESCO’s previous visits to Australia.

“We must remember that it’s not just Townsville’s aquarium; this is the national reef education centre for Australia, representing the world’s most well-known reef ecosystem; a facility that is owned by the federal government – and has been at the forefront of reef conservation and education for more than three decades,” she said.

“Reef HQ is the world’s largest coral reef aquarium; it mimics and acts exactly like the real reef and has enabled reef science and education, reaching millions of people across the globe. Today, it sits mothballed.”

“At a time when the Great Barrier Reef is under a microscope with UNESCO, everything needs to be done to protect the education facility that supports and showcases this global treasure.”

CANBERRA, Australia – NewsWire Photos – June 24, 2024: Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek during Question Time at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek made no comment on the future of Reef HQ, but said in a joint statement with Senator Nita Green, Premier Steven Miles and Acting Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Di Farmer, that the government welcomed UNESCO’s latest draft decision.

“​It recognises the Australian and Queensland government’s continued efforts to make significant progress on climate change, water quality and sustainable fishing to protect this World Heritage icon,” the statement said.

“We will continue to work with the World Heritage Committee and UNESCO to ensure the protection of the Reef and World Heritage properties impacted by climate change around the globe.”

“The draft decision will be considered at the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July.”

Ms Plibersek said Labor ‘understands this responsibility’ and that they knew ‘the world is watching us’.

“We need to act on climate change. We need to protect our special places and the animals that call them home. And that is precisely what we are doing,” she said.

Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green said it was ‘welcome news for Reef communities and those Queenslanders who call the Reef home.’

“ The draft decision recognises our governments have made significant commitments to protect the Reef and we are delivering on those commitments.

“While we welcome this decision, we know there is always more work to do. Working with our partners, agencies and stakeholders, we will continue managing threats to the Reef and supporting global efforts to combat climate change to ensure the Reef remains in safe hands.”

Originally published as UNESCO report shows Great Barrier Reef narrowly avoided ‘In Danger’ listing, group continues calls for Reef HQ lifeline