Why the delay?
FOUR years ago the Shen Neng 1 ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef.
Today the poisonous anti-fouling paint persists.
Anti-fouling paint is applied to ships below the water line to kill any marine organisms that might attach to the ship's hull.
Hello. What doesn't the government understand?
Anti-fouling paint kills marine organisms, like reef creatures.
The responsibility for cleanup costs of the Great Barrier Reef has ground on in court for two years (what happened to the other two) and is expected to grind on for another few years (pardon the pun).
Meanwhile the anti-fouling paint kills more organisms and prevents others from repairing the reef.
I might be naïve but surely the reef should have been cleaned up immediately and the court action, as to who pays, contested afterwards.
After all if the Federal Government loses in court it has to clean it up anyway.
And if it wins it is unlikely the cleanup will be back-dated.
DIETER MOECKEL
Wonbah
