- Reef Quality Report Card shows progress towards a healthier Great Barrier Reef through improved water quality.
- The three-year report card highlights improvements in catchment health driven by significant investments and key collaborative partnerships.
- The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are working closely with UNESCO to meet key environmental commitments
The latest Reef Water Quality Report Card 2023–2025 has highlighted the positive impact of collaboration and real on ground action to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
The three-year report card shows improvements in catchment health with progress towards all water quality targets, driven by strategic government funding and the positive work of landholders and industry to implement practical, sustainable practices that improve water quality.
The strong commitment of Queensland’s sugarcane, banana, grain and grazing industries, alongside targeted gully and streambank restoration projects, has helped deliver measurable improvements in water quality across reef catchments.
This progress is underpinned by significant investment and collaboration, with the Albanese and Crisafulli governments committing more than $2 billion to 2030 to support water quality improvements.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the report card was an important tool in measuring action taken by the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.
“The Great Barrier Reef is one of our greatest natural assets and it’s important that we continue to manage the quality of water flowing into it,” Minister Watt said.
“Poor water quality can kill seagrass ecosystems and reduce sunlight that is needed to help coral to grow and thrive.
“Together with the Queensland Government we have committed more than $2 billion to improve Reef water quality, and these results demonstrate the important progress that we’ve made.
“But we know there is more to be done, and we will keep working with industry, Traditional Owners, scientists and local communities to safeguard the Great Barrier Reef and those who depend on it for generations to come.”
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said the results demonstrated the power of coordinated action.
“No one loves the Great Barrier Reef more than Queenslanders and no one is more determined to protect it,” Minister Powell said.
“The Reef is one of our state’s greatest natural assets, which is why the Crisafulli Government has backed its future with a record investment in reef protection in the State Budget.
“We’re focused on delivering practical action that improves reef resilience and delivers real results.
“Improving water quality remains one of the most important local actions we can take to support the long-term health of the Reef.
“Protecting the Reef requires governments, councils, industry, landholders and local communities working together, and we’re committed to that collaborative approach to ensure the Reef remains healthy and strong for generations to come.”
The Reef Water Quality Report Card 2023-2025 highlights how locally tailored solutions are tackling key pollutants, including fine sediments, nutrients and pesticides, that affect coral and seagrass ecosystems.
The Reef remains a critical economic and environmental asset, contributing $9 billion annually to the Australian economy and supporting around 77,000 jobs.
This report card is the final report under the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, now superseded by the Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy.
This report card reflects an updated framework by introducing:
A whole-of-catchment systems approach to evidence-based targets and indicators
A sharper focus on wetland condition and inshore marine health
New performance measures that reflect ongoing landholder efforts to improve the quality of water reaching the reef
Website information: https://www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/tracking-progress/reef-report-card/2023-25
