Joint media release: $192 million to boost Reef water quality

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

The Albanese Government is investing an extra $192 million to improve water quality and boost efforts to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef.

Poor water quality is one of the greatest threats to the health of the Reef. It not only affects seagrasses, mangroves and the species that rely on the Reef, it makes it harder for the Reef to recover after bleaching events.

That’s why we’re investing more through the new Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef program to improve the quality of water flowing onto the Reef, targeting priority catchments to reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff.

Programs will reduce nutrient pollution. Examples include on-farm precision irrigation, improved nutrient efficiency and floodplain management. This will support farm productivity while improving water quality flow into the Reef.

Funding will also support land managers, Traditional Owners and environment groups to replant native species in wetlands and undertake engineering works to reinstate wetlands to trap sediment and improve soil condition.

The programs will also support work to reduce numbers of invasive animals like feral pigs which damage soils and wetlands that play a critical role is the quality of water flowing to the Reef.

The programs will be rolled out in priority hotspots across the Reef catchment, ensuring funding goes to where it is needed.

Funding applications for the Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef programs will be accepted in coming months.  

This investment builds on the launch of the $200 million Landscape Repair Program announced last year, helping to improve habitat for endangered turtles, birds and fish, while improving land management methods in Reef catchments.

This funding is part of the Government’s record $1.2 billion investment to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

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

“Sediment run-off is one of the biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef.  Poor water quality stops coral from regrowing, kills seagrass, and blocks the sunlight needed for a healthy reef.

“This new funding will give another big boost to improve Reef water quality - for communities, industry and the environment that depend upon it.

“This is part of our record investment of $1.2 billion to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef. We want to make sure the beauty and majesty of the Reef can be enjoyed for our kids and grandkids.”

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

“The Albanese Government is continuing to invest in practical projects to improve water quality on the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Improving water quality of the Reef is key to building its resilience.

“This is not only important to the Reef and the thousands of jobs it supports, but also to the Traditional Owners, land managers, communities, farmers and industry that all have a part to play.

“Together we are working ensure a sustainable future for our Reef and the waterways that feed into it.”