It is ironic that on the eve of Australia Day, thousands of Aussies will be rallying to save one of the country’s greatest landmarks and one of the world’s ecological wonders: the Great Barrier Reef. The event will take place at Main Beach on Sunday from midday.
Byron Bay will this weekend be the local focus of a national campaign to save the reef, even as the government and corporations that are in the throes of destroying it call them unAustralian.
Organisers of the Rally for the Reef say its plight has reached the 11th hour.
Among other things are calling on the general public to divest their money from the four banks funding port expansion along the Queensland coast, in a bid to reduce the impact of these potentially devastating development projects.
Reef defence organisation Protect the Reef, together with several other conservation groups, have orchestrated 11 rallies across Australia and internationally to empower and inform the general public.
Combining scientific facts, insider knowledge of the mining industry through an array of speakers, and a host of live music and performances, each event will be both entertaining and informative, bringing about a greater awareness of one of Australia’s most celebrated and at-risk natural wonders.
The rallies come as a result of the Australian government’s recent decision to ‘fast-track’ port expansions and dredging projects along the northern Queensland coastline, which will see devastating impacts upon marine wildlife and reef health on a large scale.
Rally organiser and Protect the Reef ambassador, Mollie Cox, says that it is of utmost importance that the public get involved in the conservation of the Great Barrier Reef, particularly in time for Queensland state election.
‘We aim to give the public the knowledge and tools to make their own impact when it comes to saving Australia’s precious Great Barrier Reef at these nation-wide events. There is no more important time than now to halt our support for those companies and banks profiting off of the destruction of the reef, and get involved in initiatives to save this fragile marine ecosystem
Everybody can stand up and be counted, and we need the caring public present at these rallies to send a strong message to the Australian Government: the reef belongs to all of us, including future generations.’
Until the destructive industrialisation of the Great Barrier Reef comes to an end, Protect The Reef alongside several other conservation groups, will continue their work in educating the public, empowering communities and taking direct action in a bid to protect the reef.
The Byron Bay Protect The Reef Rally will occur on Sunday January 25, at Main Beach Park, opposite Beach Hotel, in the shade.
Live music and speakers will commence at noon. Organisers encourage attendees to bring banners or come dressed as their favourite reef character. Prizes will be awarded to the most creative sign and costume!
For more information on how to take part or get involved with Protect The Reef visit:
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