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Having recently renewed its partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to be a Reef Guardian Council for the 2020-2024 period, Gladstone Regional Council is planning to minimise the impacts of climate change and protect reef heritage.

Gladstone Regional Council has supported the Reef Guardian Council program since 2009 allowing them to partner with other councils to drive local action and empower catchment communities to support a healthy Great Barrier Reef.

Gladstone Region Mayor Burnett said the Council took the Reef Guardian role very seriously noting “the Great Barrier Reef is right on our doorstep, and our community has a passionate and very strong connection with the Reef.

“The Reef is a fundamental part of our identity and we are keen to take action to help the Reef’s resilience.”

Gladstone Region Councillor and Reef Guardian champion Natalia Muszkat said she is looking forward to partnering with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to take action to promote initiatives that can help the Reef.

Muszkat advised “Gladstone Regional Council is planning a range of Reef Guardian Council activities over the next four-year term, including actions to minimise the impacts of climate change, manage the effect of coastal development, reduce land-based run-off and protect reef heritage and social values.”

The Authority’s Assistant Director for the Reef Guardian Council program, Rebecca Allen said the Gladstone Region had an important role to play as a Reef champion and leader of change.

“The Gladstone Region is recognised for its industry but also for its access to amazing places like Heron Island.

“The community is already keen to embrace sustainable options – you just have to attend the region’s Ecofest to see that.

“With Curtis Island and the Capricorn Bunkers in their backyard, Gladstone residents know how amazingly diverse and complex the Great Barrier Reef system is.

Allen adds “we recognise that establishing effective and meaningful partnerships is critical to managing the Reef and our Reef Guardian Councils, such as Gladstone Regional Council, are already undertaking a wide range of actions to help the Reef.

“We are proud to partner with them to support these actions, and with the collective power of 18 Reef Guardian Councils, improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.

“We hope that the Reef Guardian Council program will help spread the message that taking action now – however small or wherever you are in the world – will help the Reef.”

Image top: Manta Ray - Lady Elliot Island courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland;Image above Heron Island 

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