SYDNEY—Australia's Great Barrier Reef draws millions of tourists to its
colorful coral and tropical fish. Recently it has been attracting another kind
of visitor—big resources companies looking to export coal and gas.
A Unesco delegation is assessing for environmental impact several liquefied
natural-gas projects and coal-port expansions, valued at US$80 billion, either
under way or planned inshore of the world's biggest network of coral reefs.
"The Great Barrier Reef is definitely at a crossroads and decisions that will
be taken over the next one, two, three years might potentially really be crucial
for the long-term conservation," said Fanny Douvere, head of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Paris-based World Heritage
Marine Program, which arrived in Australia last week.
Wall Street Journal
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