Multimillion-dollar cash splash to improve reef’s water quality
The Albanese Government will pour nearly $30 million into improving the Great Barrier Reef’s water quality. Find out how.
Federal Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt has announced almost $30 million will be poured in to projects aimed at reducing pollution on the Great Barrier Reef.
Under the Reefwise Farming Program, four projects to help reduce nutrient and pesticide pollution would receive funding while landholders will also be supported to improve land management practices in priority catchment regions.
The funding is part of the government’s $1.2 billion investment to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Watt said it was crucial to support landholders to deliver clearer water to the reef.
“Nutrient and pesticide pollution from nearby farms is one of the biggest threats to the reef. Poor water quality stops coral from regrowing, kills seagrass, and blocks the sunlight needed for a healthy reef,” he said.
The investment was expected to help landholders increase productivity and encourage sustainable farming.
Natural resource management body NQ Dry Tropics would receive almost $7.5 million for improved irrigation efficiency on cane farms in the lower Burdekin region to reduce runoff of polluted water.
Reef Catchments received more than $7.4 million to provide agronomy support to cane farmers in the Mackay Whitsunday region with nutrient and chemical management plans.
While another $7.48 million was allocated to Burnett Mary Regional Group to improve knowledge of and the capacity for farming in the region. The funding will allow for the adoption of precision agriculture practices with Traditional Owners implementing restoration activities to reduce excess nitrogen from reaching the coast.
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And Terrain NRM would use $7.5 million to support cane growers in the Wet Tropics region to improve fertiliser application and better manage crop diseases and pests.
The Reefwise Farming Program will run from 2027 to 2028, through funding from the Government’s Reef Trust to keep the Reef 2050 plan priorities on track.
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Northern Australia Nita Green said it was important to make the reef more resilient.
“Protecting the reef means protecting Queensland jobs. Supporting landholders to do their part means we’re building partnerships and the reef’s resilience,” Green said.
“The Great Barrier Reef has an estimated value of $95 billion and directly supports 77,000 jobs, with many more reliant on the continued health of the Reef. We can’t afford to risk the future of the Reef,” Member for Leichhardt Matt Smith said.
