The world famous reef

Though it is only draft decision, the UN has lambasted both state and fedearl authorities for their lack of oversight and for the grim future posed by other regional developments. Accordingly, another review process will take place in 2017 in order to determine whether any headway has been made.

Published online, the draft decision delineated the decision making process used by UNESCO.

“It is recommended that the World Heritage Committee request that [Australia] submit an update on [the progress of the Long Term Sustainability Plan] progress for review by the World Heritage Centre and IUCN and that if the anticipated progress is not being made this should also be reviewed by the Committee at its session in 2017,” the draft read. “It is essential that the [Long Term Sustainability Plan] delivers its anticipated results in order to confirm that the property does not face ascertained or potential danger to its [Outstanding Universal Values].

“It is recommended the World Heritage Committee welcome the progress achieved by [Australia] towards a [significant] response. Measures that represent significant progress in responding to key World Heritage Committee requests include commitments toward restoring water quality … restricting major port development in and adjoining the GBR World Heritage Area … [Australia reversing] its original decision to dump capital dredge material from Abbot Point inside the property and a permanent ban on dumping of dredged material from all capital dredging projects within the property.”

Queensland’s Environment Minister Steven Miles noted that his government’s plan for the area was given an implicit tick of approval. “The really good news here is that the scientists at the World Heritage Committee, the scientists at the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) have looked at our plan and said this will protect and improve the Great Barrier Reef,” he explained.

Meanwhile, conservation groups have been more measured in their response to the news. WWF’s Richard Leck said that the decision did not bode well for the future of the reef.

“It puts Australia on probation to say if you do not do what you’ve said and adequately fund what you’ve promised, then you’ll have to come back before the committee and the reef is most likely going to be listed “in danger” at that point,” he told the ABC.

Similarly, Greenpeace Australia CEO David Ritter says that the decision only delays what many see as inevitable.

“UNESCO has very clearly signalled that our beautiful Great Barrier Reef continues to be in deep trouble,” Mr. Ritter said. “They’ve clearly signalled that it’s not safe in Tony Abbott’s hands, and they’ve put the government really on probation.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has redoubled its lobbying efforts to ensure that international member states of the UN committee eventually sign-off on the safety of the Great Barrier Reef.

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On Tuesday, North Queensland Bulk Ports, GVK Hancock and the Adani Group announced that they would reconfigure their plans so as to achieve better environmental outcomes. The companies stated that they would submit a new proposal to the Environment Minister Greg Hunt, an advocate of the initial dredging plans.

Opposition to the development has been vocal and global. The Great Barrier Reef is a World Heritage Area, a designation which confers a kind of special status. It is a much-loved and renowned representation of Australian natural life. Annually, millions of visitors flock to Queensland to soak in the summer and explore the colourful coral formations living beneath the surface. For the State of Queensland, the landmark has acted as a kind of totem pole around which the rest of the industry dances. In short, it brings much-needed revenues into the State.

As you might imagine, local opposition has been vigorous, with Whitsundays MP George Christensen yielding to overwhelming public sentiment. Over the weekend, the besieged MP ordered several prominent advertisements in local papers. “I didn’t foresee the angst the dumping of dredge spoil in the Great Barrier Reef marine park would cause to tourism operators and to residents in the Whitsundays,” he admitted before laying out his claim for a more detailed investigative process.

Talk of a land-based option has had locals wondering about the next proposed dumping site, but (for now) it seems local activists have managed to save one of the “Crown Jewels” of Australian tourism.

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Each month the Gold Coast hosts a series of festivals and events that showcase some of the best sporting talents in Australia. You can see the worlds top surfers compete at the Roxy Pro and Quicksilver, or join the Coolangatta Classic where Australia’s iron men and women compete in the ocean swim or you can watch the surf life saving champions in action.

The gateway to some of Queensland’s top natural attractions is the Gold Coast. You can spend the day island hopping and discover the culture of the Aboriginal people or take a trip with the family to see the whales. Visit Hinterland that is cloaked in lush rainforests. Your holiday won’t be complete without visiting one of the national parks such as MainRange, Nightcap or Lamington.

At the NSW Queensland border there are stunning picturesque national parks such as Mt Warning, Tweed Heads and Coolangatta. Travel through the SunshineCoast to Brisbane, Bundaberg or FraserIsland. A must is the touring route of the Pacific coast that runs from Brisbane to Cairns. On route you will discover all the treasures that make up the Gold Coast.

The Australian Gold Coast and surrounds allow you to swim with dolphins, surf huge waves, or snorkel shipwrecks. Visit Dreamworld that offers virtual reality rides or take a trip to Warner Bros. and watch movies being made. Explore the lookouts, waterfalls, bush walks and beautiful waterfalls.

Nothing ever goes to plan; not ever.

The Gold Coast Shakespearean Players had sought and received permission to stage William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream on some council land in Tally Valley. It was a grassy, leafy area; well away from homes and industry. Guests would park their cars and enjoy a short walk through torch lit scrublands leading them to the open air performance area.

More often than not Shakespeare’s own plays were performed under the stars, just as this would be. Michael, the director, loved it. The scrub on all sides of ‘the round’ theatre would provide a sense of remoteness; of being transported to another world – exactly what Shakespeare envisaged for this play.

Michael chose his actors carefully. He drilled them patiently. He employed artists and stagehands from the local community and everyone threw themselves into the task.

As spring gave way to summer, and opening night drew closer, Michael began marketing. He had promotional bills printed, radio advertising broadcast, he even had actors performing one-minute flashmob scenes from the play in shopping malls and public areas.

Everything was progressing marvellously.

Until dress rehearsal.

Even before the opening line had been delivered Michael knew disaster was imminent. For the torches used to light the guests’ path from the parking to the performance area would not stay lit. Summertime on the Gold Coast means southerly winds: gusting southerly winds. And as fast as the torches could be lit, they blew out again.

Michael gathered everyone in the car park (no one could find their way to the performance area in any case), his voice tense and panicked. He asked for ideas.

‘We need a generator,’ Merianne said. Merianne was a stagehand, quiet and reliable.

Michael scoffed. Generators are only slightly less noisy than a Boeing jet taking off. They’re no use in a rural setting.

‘That’s not true.’ She looked a little surprised at her own forthrightness – disagreeing with the director so openly. ‘I mean…’ she went on, ‘they may have been once, but now you can hire generators that are virtually silent.’

‘You can hire them?’ Michael was surprised.

‘My Dad hired one for his fiftieth birthday party. He has a property out west and wanted the party outdoors.’

‘Find out who he hired through and tell me immediately.’

Energy Power Systems Australia was quite okay with the last minute emergency call. They are used to it.

When you hire out energy producing equipment a lot of your calls are emergencies. Michael phoned them first thing in the morning. By midday he had an Energy Power Systems Australia representative on site looking at the path needing to be lit. Bulbs were already being strung and signs hung. The rep’ nodded to Michael and speed dialled his phone. Two hours before sundown, two and a half hours before the first theatre-goer arrived, the lights were twinkling along the path. They bathed the scrubland and open air theatre in a warm, golden radiance and charmed the audience before the play had even begun.

Falls Festival

Falls Music and Arts festival is a fun and funky three day festival located in three gorgeous, remote locations across the country. The three locations are Marion Bay, Tasmania, Lorne, Victoria and Byron Bay, New South Wales. The event attracts some of the hottest bands and singers from across the world and offers visitors a unique experience filled with entrancing music, exotic food, cultural shops and artistic activities, exuberant costumes and generally a once-in-a-year experience. Why only celebrate New Year’s Eve for one night when you can have a three day long camping and music festival with friends? Although most tickets are sold out, you could still apply to work for some of the festivals or get local tickets to Lorne in Victoria. Check out the Falls Festival website for more information.

Get on the Water

I’m sure at some point you’ve had the brilliant idea of getting your friends together, booking a luxury boat and going on a cruise party along the water. As fabulous as this idea is, it is even better when put into practice. And a party cruise is an infinitely better idea when enacted on New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve Sydney Harbour Boat Hire, Australia will provide you with a luxurious evening that will not only give you the ultimate view from which to view the renowned Sydney fireworks, but it will also guarantee a priceless New Year’s celebration filled with close friends, limited planning or organisation, scrumptious menus, abundant alcohol and did we mention you’d be cruising along the esteemed Sydney Harbour? Luxury cruise dining menus in Sydney offer the most sumptuous foods that with a huge range of options such as formal dining, buffets and BBQs. Book your phenomenal New Year’s Eve cruising experience with Enigma Charters today to avoid missing out.

Hire a House

The thing all of these fabulous New Year’s Eve ideas have in common is that they involve getting an intimate group of friends together, planning ahead and sharing one of the most consequential times of the year together in an exciting location. Hiring a house is a fabulous idea as it can get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city filled with drunkards, taxi lines, violence and hordes of upon hordes of people. By renting a house with friends for a few nights, you can go for a small coastal town getaway or a Blue Mountains retreat and simply enjoy the company of your closest friends. No one has to worry about hosting the house in their own home, the group will stay as a cohesive group and you can enjoy a mini holiday on the beach or in the bush while you’re at it.

The Marine and Watercraft International Expo has just finished on the Gold Coast. But it nearly didn’t start. Without the efforts of Boating Accessories Australia, a small online boating and fishing accessories business in Perth, the multi-million dollar event wouldn’t have opened its doors.

All because of bureaucracy.

For someone in the Boating and Fisheries Department found that all watercraft available for sale in the great state of Queensland must comply with the Marine and Harbour Safety Code; even if they are not sailing in Queensland waters; Even if they are being towed along a highway or transported in truck.

And, of course, this irrelevant subclause was seized upon by the Department bureaucrats.

Now there is an international safety standard to which all marine vessels must adhere. But local states and territories are quite within their rights to supplement these rules according to their local conditions and expectations. Queensland has done just this.

So, a week before the Expo was to begin a letter was sent from the Department to the show’s organisers.

The reaction was immediate.

A threat to fine some of the most prestigious boat builders in the world, who build some of the most beautiful and safe boats in the world, for trivial non-compliance issues was beyond ridiculous – it was an insult. It was also very damaging to the reputation of the organisers, the state of Queensland, and the event itself.

It was too late to warn vendors, they’re merchandise was either already being set up or on the way. Plus the organiser’s pleas for sense fell on deaf ears at the Department. It was crunch time and the organisers needed a creative solution.

So they enlisted the aid of a barrister who specialised in marine law. She quickly made a list of the accessories all the craft would need to comply with the Queensland amendments.

With this list in hand, the organisers then set about sourcing suppliers.

It’s not as easy as you might think to source multiple numbers of the same boat parts and have them delivered in less than a week. In fact, it’s near impossible.

It took a full day to track down the one boating and fishing online accessories business that could deliver what was needed in time. And they were on the other side of the country! Unbelievably, Boating Accessories Australia promised to source the parts, pack them and deliver them in the few days remaining to the organisers.

The boat displayers weren’t happy when the heard their craft, so lovingly created, now had to have some ridiculous safety gear attached. But the organisers explained the scenario and the displayers shook their heads.

And that is how it happened that Boating Accessories Australia, a small online boating accessories business in Perth, saved a multi-million dollar boating and fishing expo on the other side of the country.