Fed: Mining banned in Great Barrier Reef

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
Fed: Mining banned in Great Barrier Reef

Mining is now officially banned in the Great Barrier Reef.

Environment Minister ROBERT HILL says new regulations, effective from today, extend
bans on mining in the marine park off northern Australia.

He's said in a statement that under the changes, mining has been banned in the entire
Great Barrier Reef Region.

The government regulations will protect 28 significant areas along the Queensland coast
which are not yet part of the marine park.

Senator HILL says previous legislation prohibited all mining in the marine Park, but
drilling for petroleum was allowed in the region.

The new regulations extend the prohibition of all mining to the entire Great Barrier
Reef region -- which is a much bigger area.

Senator HILL says the new regulations remove any area of doubt and reassure all Australians
that the Great Barrier Reef will be safe from mining and drilling.

AAP RTV lm/daw/jn

KEYWORD: REEF (CANBERRA)

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