In the lead up to the NT Budget, the Keep Top End Coasts Healthy alliance is calling on the NT Government to deliver on its election promise and allocate the necessary funding to implement the Plan for our Coasts.
Adele Pedder, Coordinator for Keep Top End Coasts Healthy said “Protecting the Territory’s unique and valuable coastline and the jobs that depend on it was a high profile election issue. All parties committed to implementing the Plan to protect our Coasts.
“In running for re-election, the Gunner Government responded to the call by thousands of Territorians - promising to implement their Coastal and Marine Management Strategy. Delivery on the promise will require allocation of funding in this year’s Budget.
“Funding the Plan to protect our Coasts is a very modest but crucial investment, it’s less than 0.001% of the Territory’s overall Budget. It’s like investing in the maintenance of our home, our backyard.
“Our coasts are our greatest natural asset, contributing $2billion to the Territory economy each year and supporting more than 6,000 jobs. Taking action now with funding in the Budget will safeguard our marine life, jobs, fishing and culture” said Ms Pedder.
Sienna Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs, a Yolngu woman from North East Arnhem Land said "Yirrkala is a beautiful community. Our sea country is part of us, it is an important source of life for Yolngu people, as it has been for thousands of years. But I am worried about the impacts I am seeing even in this remote part of the Northern Territory coastline. It's time we invested in protecting our coasts” she said.
Dave McMahon, head tour guide with Venture North and Cobourg Fishing Safaris said “While I have one of the best jobs in the world taking people on fishing tours in Cobourg Marine Park, I know how precarious it is if we fail to protect the health of our coasts.
“Now that the Gunner Government has been re-elected on the promise to put in place the Plan to protect our coasts, we need to get on with the job, starting with funding in the upcoming Budget,” he concluded.
Media contact: Fiona Maxwell 0450 035 809