Joint media release: $42.7 million AIMS National Sea Simulator expansion unveiled in Townsville

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

The Albanese Labor Government today launched the $42.7 million expansion of the Australian Institute of Marine Science National Sea Simulator in Townsville.

Now twice its original size, the world-class facility will accelerate scientific research on the Great Barrier Reef, particularly in breeding corals that are more resistant to heat at a larger scale.

The Albanese Government is also today announcing an additional $8 million for Reef research. This funding will boost crucial research to protect, conserve, and enhance the resilience of the Reef in the face of severe weather events and climate change. That includes the use of aquaculture to breed healthy corals that are more resilient under heat stress are being tested.

Funding will also be used in partnership with the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to combine key data used to track the progress of Australia’s landscape repair and coastal rehabilitation investments. This will be delivered through the creation of a Reef account, as part of the National Ecosystem Accounts.

This funding is just one part of the Albanese Government’s vital investment to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.

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

“Following the severe weather in North Queensland, it’s important that the long term recovery includes nature too.

“Australia is home to some of the best marine scientists in the world, that’s why we’ve already doubled funding for the Australian Institute of Marine Science.

“Cutting edge research is a key part of doing everything we can to protect the Great Barrier Reef and improve resilience from severe weather like flooding which impacts Reef water quality.

“With this funding and new facility, AIMS can continue to carry out vital research on the Reef while supporting good jobs in North Queensland.”

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

“I’m pleased to see further support from the Australian Government into Reef research, including through the expansion of the world-class National Sea Simulator in Townsville.

“It is crucial that we continue to invest in programs that will increase the resilience of coral to the impacts of climate change right across the Great Barrier Reef.

“This is a huge win for the Reef and the tens of thousands of jobs that rely on it.”