Traditional Owner groups across the Great Barrier Reef will have access to improved technology and business equipment through more than $540,000 in grant funding to accelerate resilience and restoration activities.
More than 16 grants of up to $36,500 each will allow recipients to purchase cutting-edge technology such as drones, computers and software to better monitor and protect Country in key Reef catchments.
Delivered in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, grant funding will improve Traditional Owner-led actions by groups including:
- Mungalla Aboriginal Corporation for Business, who will purchase professional audio and visual recording equipment to allow Nywaigi Traditional Owners to document and share their on-Country restoration work, cultural knowledge and environmental monitoring activities
- The Buda Dji Aboriginal Development Association Aboriginal Corporation, who will replace outdated technology with more modern equipment, including two new drones, to support the Djabugay Rangers’ work on Country monitoring waterways
- Koinmerburra Aboriginal Corporation, who will enhance their rangers’ ability to monitor diverse landscapes including the Reef itself, with the assistance of new thermal and underwater drone equipment. Enhancing their drone set-up will also establish a new business arm for the organisation by establishing a fee-for-service arrangement to train neighbouring Traditional Owner ranger groups to use drones
- Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, who will also purchase new equipment for their ranger team, including cane toad traps to reduce risks to K’gari’s world heritage recognised aquatic biodiversity and water values.
These projects build on the work already being delivered by Traditional Owners under the Australian Government’s Reef Trust Partnership.
Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said this new funding will provide important support for First Nations groups on the Reef.
“Traditional Owners are on the front line when it comes to protecting and preserving our most precious natural asset, the Great Barrier Reef,” Minister Watt said.
“This funding will help First Nations groups to access cutting edge technology to monitor the Reef while maintaining important cultural practices that date back tens of thousands of years.
“The Albanese Government is committed to protecting the Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef for generations to come.
“That’s why we announced a further $91.8 million in this year’s Federal Budget to bolster our world-leading management of the Great Barrier Reef.”
Great Barrier Reef Foundation Managing Director Anna Marsden welcomed the funding for a number of key First Nations groups across the Reef.
“We’ve had the privilege of working with more than 50 Reef Traditional Owner groups through the Reef Trust Partnership,” Ms Marsden said.
“Their ongoing work on Country, which weaves ancient traditional knowledge and practices with modern science, has greatly benefited the Reef and its catchments.
“This work is critical to efforts to restore and protect these precious ecosystems.”
