A pipeline belonging to The Queensland Nickel refinery has had a pipeline capable of direct dumping into the ocean since 1974. The pipeline fell into the territory of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in the 2000s. The pipeline was allowed to stay on the grounds that it would cause too much environmental damage to remove. The plant has never received a permit to dispose of its waste water containing dangerously high levels of nitrogen and other heavy metals, and has not been prosecuted for doing so. These high levels of nitrogen and other heavy metals have the potential to further harm and destroy the reefs. The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is in charge of pressing charges against the Queensland Nickel Refinery and has yet to do so, raising questions about the intentions or potential negligence on the part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The stakeholders in this situation are not just those who work for the Queensland Nickel refinery or those who work for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The stakeholders include the members of the surrounding coastal community, those whose lives depend on the reef, and even those who travel to experience the aesthetic beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. The Australian government needs to step in and hold Queensland Nickel refinery responsible for the damage it has done, and prevent any more toxic chemicals from being released from this plant. If the Australian government will not take care of it, it is up to other global organizations to prevent the further release of toxic chemicals not jus for the Great Barrier Reef, but for the entire Ocean ecosystem.
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?language=en&id=41937349
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/toxic-waste-releases-never-permitted-by-great-barrier-reef-marine-park-authority-20140212-32hsz.html
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/feb/12/cliver-palmers-nickel-refinery-pumped-nitrogen-great-barrier-reef-park