Kakadu, Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Sites, Australia

Threats to World Heritage areas in Australia continues to claim media headlines. At the Kakadu World Heritage area the Australian Government is supporting the development of a new uranium mine. At present the Government is awaiting an environmental impact statement and negotiating with the local indigenous population who are opposing the mine. In the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage area the Port Hinchinbrook resort and marina development continues to attract large scale opposition. Recently some 450 people comprising some 300 students from all over Australia attending an environmental conference in Townsville in North Queensland and some 150 regional and local persons in Cardwell to march against the development. The participants claim that it threatens the adjacent World Heritage Hinchinbrook Island and Channel.