Joint media release: $6.4 million boost for Great Barrier Reef water quality projects

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator Nita Green, Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator for Queensland
The Hon Leanne Linard MP, Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef

The Australian Government is investing a further $6.4 million in 3 new water quality projects to safeguard the health of the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

The Streambank Remediation Program, an initiative of the Queensland Government, has been boosted by the co-investment from the Australian Government. 

This funding will help further reduce sediment run-off from eroded streambanks and gullies, which is a key threat to Reef water quality. 

It will also accelerate progress toward the Australian and Queensland governments' joint objectives for protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

The 3 new projects are located in the Mackay-Whitsunday, Burnett Mary and Burdekin catchments in northeast Queensland. They will reduce the amount of sediment entering the Reef ecosystem and build resilience to threats, including climate change and natural disasters.

This work extends the $6 million invested through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program in 3 projects in the Burdekin, Herbert River and Fitzroy River catchments.

The new remediation activities will involve Traditional Owners and First Nations groups and include revegetation, installation of fencing, streambank reprofiling and pile fields to hold banks in place.

The $6.4 million co-investment is in addition to the $150 million Australian Government investment previously announced in practical projects to improve water quality. 

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is an Australian icon, known for its clear blue waters that are teeming with life.

“Sediment run-off is one of the biggest threats to the Reef, smothering coral and restricting the growth of light-dependent plants, while increasing the likelihood of harmful algal blooms.

“As part of our $1.2 billion investment to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef, we are continuing to support projects that protect, repair, and manage our environment better for the future.” 

Quotes attributable to the Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:

“The Great Barrier Reef is a living ecosystem that is home to thousands of species of coral and marine species.

“Through these remediation projects, we are continuing to take responsibility for our actions upstream to safeguard the health of this precious asset and the 64,000 jobs it supports.

“Because when you protect the Reef, you protect Queensland jobs.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland Environment Minister, Leanne Linard:

“The Palaszczuk Government welcomes the Albanese Government’s co-investment in our Streambank Remediation Program and the benefits this investment will bring for the Great Barrier Reef.

“Since 2015, the Palaszczuk Government has invested more than $1 billion to help protect the reef so it can be enjoyed by generations to come. 

“This includes an investment of $270 million to target water pollution flowing into the reef. We know that sediment run-off is one of the biggest threats for the Great Barrier Reef. Sediment smothers corals, seagrasses and other plants, affecting their growth and survival as well as the survival of turtles, dugongs, fish and other animals that depend on them for food and shelter.”