CANBERRA (XINHUA) – Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced yesterday that the Australian government will allocate AUD100 million (USD67 million) to rebuild and refurbish the Great Barrier Reef Aquarium and education centre.
The funding aims to enhance the facility’s role in conservation and education about the iconic reef, reported Xinhua.
Known as Reef HQ, the aquarium in the north Queensland city of Townsville has served as the National Education Centre for the Reef since it was opened in 1987 and is the world’s largest living coral reef display.
It was closed in 2021 by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) for a two-year government-funded AUD80 million (USD53.6 million) refurbishment.
However, the authority in November 2022 announced it would demolish the aquarium tank and rebuild it by 2026, calling for additional government funding for the project.
Albanese said in a statement yesterday that the AUD180 million (USD120.7 million) in total government funding would allow work to begin on rebuilding the exhibit as a purpose-built facility that will be able to provide immersive experiences to domestic and international visitors.
