SYDNEY, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- An area on the far north coast of Australia will be used as a nature refuge to protect endangered animals and stop large-scale erosion damaging the Great Barrier Reef, the Queensland State Government said on Thursday.
Springvale Station in Cape York was purchased by the Queensland Government last year, after it was revealed that the area is the biggest contributor to "sediment runoff" in the northern part of the Reef.
The announcement followed a decision by the government on Tuesday, to reject two proposed mining leases on the land.
The Department of Natural Resources and Mines said in a statement that the conservation values of the area were "not consistent with mining activities."
State Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles explained the proposed mining activities have the potential to increase sediment loss as a result of land clearing and infrastructure installation.
"Its nature refuge status confirms that this land will be used for conservation purposes and the Environment Department are working to rehabilitate areas of past grazing land on the property, which are responsible for almost 500,000 tonnes of runoff every year," Miles added.
