Warning Cape York land-clearing approval puts Great Barrier Reef at risk

Conservation groups call on Coalition to honour reef budget pledge by overturning Kingvale station decision o Sign up to receive the top stories in Australia every day at noonThe Turnbull government faces a test of its $500m budget commitment to protect the Great Barrier Reef, after federal environment officials ruled that a farmer could clear almost 2,000 hectares of Queensland forest.A draft report from the Department of Environment recommends that the clearing at Kingvale station on Cape York, which was authorised under the former Newman state government 2014, should be permitted to go ahead with conditions. Continue reading...