Joint media release: $200 million to repair land and improve Reef water quality

Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator for Queensland, Senator Nita Green
Assistant Minister for Queensland, Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Senator for Queensland, Senator the Hon Anthony Chisholm

The Albanese Labor Government has announced six major projects to improve the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.

The funding will be delivered through the $200 million Landscape Repair Program, which boosts efforts to reduce sediment runoff through land-based initiatives that ensure a healthy Reef.

Run-off from eroded gullies and riverbanks that flow into nearby catchments can cause higher algal growth, higher concentrations of pollutants and reduced light.

This not only affects seagrasses, mangroves and other species that live on the Reef, it also compromises the Reef’s resilience to threats like climate change.

The six projects will focus on gully and streambank erosion control, supported by revegetation and managing grazing impacts, to reduce sediment runoff to the Reef.

This program alone is expected to stop over 130 kilotons of sediment entering the Reef – that’s the equivalent to the weight of over 870 blue whales.

They will be delivered by natural resource management groups (NRMs) in partnership with First Nations groups, landowners and local communities.

The $200 million Landscape Repair Program is part of the Government's record investment of $1.2 billion to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.

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

“One of the most iconic things about the Great Barrier Reef is the crystal blue water.

“But the Reef and the water that flows through it is under threat from sediment and other run-off. Poor water quality stops coral from regrowing, it kills important seagrass, and it blocks the sunlight needed for a healthy reef.

“Improving water quality is one of the most important things we can do to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

“This funding will repair and protect gullies, creeks and riverbanks that flow into the Reef.

“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 Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef, Senator Nita Green:

“This funding is part of our record investment to improve water quality on the Great Barrier Reef.”

“It is great to see funding supporting a range of groups across regional Queensland, including Traditional Owners, conservation and NRM organisations, scientists and landholders, to do their part for Reef protection.”

“This will help future-proof the Great Barrier Reef and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Senator Anthony Chisholm:

“Protecting this national asset won’t just benefit the health of the Great Barrier Reef, but Australia’s wider economy as well. The Reef contributes billions to the Australian economy with 90 per cent of revenue, or $5.7 billion, coming directly from tourism.

“Our $1.2 billion commitment to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef goes beyond addressing the urgent needs of this crucial ecosystem, and sets a course to better protect the Reef well into the future.”