Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green, has reaffirmed her commitment to securing funding for Reef HQ Aquarium.
Following discussions with Senator Green, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured us that the Reef HQ Aquarium will be on the agenda at the upcoming Courier Mail-Townsville Bulletin Bush Summit on August, 23 at The Ville.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Claudia Brumme-Smith continues to push for answers on behalf of the North Queensland community.
In May 2024, Townsville Enterprise launched a community campaign to support our call to rebuild our beloved Reef HQ Aquarium. Now, the community needs answers, and we welcome the Federal Government's efforts towards a solution at the Bush Summit.
I have made it clear that omitting any contribution towards our nation's greatest natural asset, the $56B Great Barrier Reef, has not gone unnoticed by the communities—particularly science leaders and reef advocates—who call North Queensland home.
The next generation of Australians deserve this educational facility to be reopened. The timing could not be more important as pressures on the reef continue to grow, and education remains one of the key enablers for change.
At a time when coral bleaching and reef conservation are part of the national and international news cycle, when urgent action should be taken to protect our national treasure, the need for quality expert-led education intertwined with the rich tapestry of Indigenous knowledge of sea country cannot be underestimated or deferred.
Special Envoy for the Grate Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green stressed the community’s enthusiasm for Reef HQ’s return and its vital role in marine and reef education.
I am a very strong advocate and will continue the hard work of negotiating with the Council. It’s not always easy, but so far, the conversations have been positive, and I’m pleased to say everyone’s pulling in the same direction. [Originally quoted in the Townsville Bulletin - 8/8/2024]
