- Reducing water pollution will help the Reef cope with climate change
- Reef still needs a costed implementation plan showing how investments will achieve new water pollution targets by 2032
- Queensland Govt must be transparent and show how publicly funded programs reduce water pollution and by how much
The Queensland Government has announced a much-needed $330 million funding to address the Great Barrier Reef’s water pollution problem over the next five years, but it still needs a detailed plan on how it will cut water pollution – what solutions will be funded, where and how investments will achieve new water pollution targets by 2032.
The Great Barrier Reef has a major water pollution problem, with sediment, fertilisers and pesticides running into Reef waterways and damaging corals and seagrasses. That impacts the fish, dugongs, turtles and other marine life that depend on them.
Australia has never hit its own Reef-wide water pollution reduction targets despite extending the deadline to meet those targets three times since they were originally set in 2009. Last year it missed the 2025 target, and would not have hit the 60% nitrogen reduction target until the next century at current rates of reduction. Just last month the Queensland Government pushed the targets back again, until 2032.
AMCS Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Manager Dr Max Hirschfeld said: “While we are yet to see the finer details of this funding, $330 million to tackle water pollution could make a big difference to the Great Barrier Reef’s chronic water pollution problem, but only if it is spent where it will make the biggest difference.
“After missing water pollution reduction targets for the third time in 2025, the government needs to demonstrate to the Australian public and UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee how new funding will achieve targets by the extended deadline in 2032.
“The new investment needs to target the most effective solutions, focusing on catchment restoration, while supporting farmers and enforcing legislation to stop pollution at the source, with transparent reporting showing how public funding is effectively resulting in less water pollution on the Reef.
“Restoring coastal wetlands and vegetation along waterways, supporting sustainable farming, and enforcing environmental laws must go hand in hand. Without proper enforcement, voluntary action and funding alone cannot save the Reef.
“This is one of the most important actions governments can take to strengthen the Reef’s health, but it must be accompanied by stronger action on climate change, the greatest threat to the Great Barrier Reef’s future.
“Cleaner water will help make the Reef more resilient, but it will not stop the marine heatwaves that are causing widespread coral bleaching. While we welcome this funding, we urge the Queensland government to reverse its retreat from climate action and deliver the emissions reductions needed to protect the Reef’s future.
“Queensland has a legislated target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 75 per cent by 2035, but recent decisions by the Crisafulli Government, including removing the renewable energy target and delaying key plans needed to achieve emissions reductions, makes it increasingly difficult to see how the climate target will be achieved.
“The Great Barrier Reef is an economic powerhouse, contributing $9 billion to the economy each year and supporting 77,000 jobs. Queensland has taken an important step with this investment. Now it must turn these commitments into meaningful action that delivers lasting improvements for Reef health.”
