Environment, mining and tourism stakeholders debate future of the Great Barrier Reef

Environmentalists, the mining industry and tourism interests have set out competing visions for the future of the Great Barrier Reef ahead of a summit that will aim to set Queensland's priorities for the next 30 years.

The Queensland Plan, an initiative of the Queensland Government, is being finalised at a two-day meeting in Brisbane that started yesterday (Wednesday 9th October). More than 600 delegates from a range of community and business groups are attending the gathering.

A report in The Guardian explains that the Queensland Government wants the plan to help "define a long-term vision" for the State. In its consultation stage it received more than 78,000 submissions from members of the public and special interest groups.

The Queensland Government said the top five priorities identified from the consultation were: creating a stronger sense of community cohesion; strengthening Queensland's economy; community health and wellbeing; balancing the economy with the environment; and strengthening regions.

The environment is set to be a major issue of debate during the summit, with 69% of public respondents and 72% of group respondents referencing it.

Conservation organisation World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said in its submission that the Government needed to do more to secure the long-term viability of the Great Barrier Reef, which may be listed as "in danger" by the United Nations next year due to the impact of coastal development and variable water quality.

WWF spokesman Sean Hoobin told Guardian Australia "Queenslanders want a healthy reef in 30 years and that goes beyond just enjoying corals, sea turtles and dolphins it's vital for the economy too.

"Half the reef has disappeared in the past 30 years and we're keen for the government to focus on that. People are very concerned about the environment, it's an issue everyone seems to agree on, we just differ on how to come up with a solution."

Hoobin said that the Queensland Government's repeated references to "balancing" the economy with the environment needed to end, adding "balance is an ambiguous word that implies a trade-off where the environment is the loser.

"We need to throw that word out and look for win-win solutions that can protect the environment and grow the economy."

Hoobin said that there could be common ground to work with the mining industry, continuing "we see the mining industry as a huge part of the solution. We want to see them manage the reef well but also invest in the health of the reef, so that when they are gone after the boom ends, we still have a healthy environment, as well as tourism and fishing industries."

In its submission, the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), the peak body for mining in the State, said that the industry could continue to drive economic activity as well as being "responsible" with the environment.

The QRC also stated that it would like to see other industries in the Government-defined 'four pillar' economy take the weight off mining in the future.

QRC Chief Executive Michael Roche explained "if we can get government policy settings right, then by simply keeping pace with growing global demand for resource commodities we will see the real value of resource production in Queensland triple to more than $100 billion by 2040.

"Our vision also means building a legacy for Queenslanders beyond our state's rich minerals and energy endowment, a legacy of sustainable, leading technologies and energy efficiency.

"The QRC vision is also perfectly aligned with the community's aspirations for development that balances economic prosperity and protection of the natural environment. A case in point is the resources sector's commitment to a healthy co-existence with the world heritage values of the iconic Great Barrier Reef."

The Queensland Plan process will cost $4.6 million and, according to the Queensland Premier, Campbell