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The 6th Global Wave Conference, hosted by the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve along with Save The Waves Coalition and Surfrider Foundation from February 10th-14th, has cemented the city’s reputation as the heart and capital of surfing and conservation in Australia.
The conference - an international ocean conservation event - made its Australian debut last week at Southern Cross University, and served as wider surfing community to step up and join the global fight to protect our oceans.
Wayne Rabbit Bartholomew, Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve patron and former World Champion Surfer, said the 2020 conference called upon surfers to be more proactive about ocean conservation.
However, the biggest news came when Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve would be legally protected by legislation on Tuesday, February 11th - just before the opening of the 6th Global Wave Conference at the Gold Coast campus of Southern Cross University.
Ms. Palaszczuk said she had asked Minister of Sport Mick de Brenni to look into legal protection for the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve.
The 16km stretch of Coast from Burleigh to Point Danger was officially declared the 8th World Surfing Reserve in March 2016.
"What I've been hearing from people is that they would like a bit more security around the reserve and my government is now going to actively look at legislating the surf reserve here in Queensland," the Premier said. "I don't want to see it disturbed in 20, 30, 40 or 50 years' time. I want to make sure that this area of the Coast is absolutely protected as a surf reserve."
The Premier's announcement came as hundreds of surfers, conservationists and scientists wrapped up the SCU's Gold Coast campus for the Global Wave Conference.
The news also coincides with the 10th World Surfing Reserve dedication in Noosa on Friday, February 21st, a public ceremony taking place at the national park.
A recurring question has been asked by many: Will the Premiere extend legal protection to both World Surfing Reserves in Queensland?
Learn more about the Gold Coast World Surfing Reserve with link below.
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