Coral is king as Queenslanders weigh up cash splash for Reef

<p dir="ltr">A new study has found Queenslanders would hand over their hard-earned if it meant improving coral cover on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) – even those who rarely or never visit the world-famous natural wonder. The research, by CQUniversity economists Dr Jeremy De Valck and Professor John Rolfe, surveyed residents from coastal communities along the reef, and south-east Queensland urban dwellers. The research, published in Marine Policy journal, asked more than 900 participants how much they would be willing to pay to support different types of GBR-related policies: restoring coral reefs, restoring seagrass beds, or developing new tourism and recreational facilities. </p><p dir="ltr">Dr De Valck said the answer came back clear: people strongly favour ecological restoration over recreational development, and value the Reef as more than just a holiday spot. </p><p dir="ltr">Households were willing to pay between $119 and $157 per year over five years if it improved coral reef cover by 1 per cent — around three times more than they would pay for seagrass meadow restoration, and ten times more than for new recreational or tourism amenities.</p>