Great Barrier Reef

Threats to the Great Barrier Reef

Whilst climate change is recognised as the most significant risk to the GBR’s long-term health, scientific assessments highlight enduring threats such as poor water quality, coastal development, direct human use (such as illegal fishing), Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS), and extreme weather events like cyclones. Efforts to alleviate direct pressures, like improving water quality, reducing the COTs population, and strictly regulating development in the GBR Marine Park Area (GBRMPA) contribute to the Reef’s resilience, and many conservation programs are directly supported by Queensland’s resources and energy companies.

The QRC advocates for a proportionate, collaborative effort involving the resources and energy sector, government, communities, and various industries to protect and conserve the GBR, while acknowledging the industry does have an impact on the Reef. With many of the direct, key threats to the GBR resulting from activities outside the resources and energy sector, QRC emphasises the importance of recognising the collective responsibility for its preservation and transparently presenting scientific information.

Reef Partnerships

Several regional partnerships in Queensland, particularly in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment, actively monitor river ecosystems that contribute to the reef’s health. Notable collaborations include the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health, Mackay-Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership, and Gladstone Healthy Harbours Partnership. Comprising representatives from government, agriculture, resources (including QRC members), commercial industries, tourism, research, and the community, these partnerships develop report cards assessing the effectiveness of current management strategies in preserving the health of river ecosystems associated with the GBR. Additionally, the Queensland Government has implemented the Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017-2022, outlining frameworks and targets for enhancing the health and condition of GBR waterways in key catchments. Catchment profiles within the plan offer detailed information on each area’s size, rainfall, land use, water quality improvement priorities, and sources of pollutants.

Reef 2050

The Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan (the Reef 2050 Plan) serves as the comprehensive strategy for safeguarding and managing the GBR until 2050.  Originally developed in 2015, the plan has undergone several major reviews. The current revised plan, focusing on immediate priorities and climate change resilience, was delivered in 2021.

The Reef 2050 Plan outlines five priority areas, including climate change mitigation, improved water quality, reduction of water-based activities, international impact reduction, and habitat protection. The World Heritage Committee, in decisions since 2014, acknowledged the Reef 2050 Plan’s role in preventing the GBR’s inscription on the ‘List of World Heritage in Danger’ and urged ongoing action.

Great Barrier Reef Management

Under the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement 2009, the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments collaborate on GBR management through various groups, including the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee, on which QRC is a representative. This committee advises on policy, implementation, and reviews of the Reef 2050 Plan. The protection of the GBR’s Outstanding Universal Value aligns with responsible economic development, which demonstrates the importance of the resources and energy sector’s involvement in planning and implementing GBR policy for positive environmental, social, and economic outcomes. QRC, through its participation in the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee, advocates for the industry’s views and continues to provide guidance in shaping Reef 2050 Plan policy and actions.

The Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program (RIMReP) is a comprehensive, adaptive management initiative for the GBR, supporting the approach of the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan. It facilitates early trend detection, assesses key threats and future risks, ensures timely management responses, and directs investments toward actions with tangible and measurable results. RIMReP contributes to annual report cards and the five-yearly Outlook Report, promoting coordination and integration of existing monitoring programs to enhance efficiency and avoid duplication. Accessible through the Reef Knowledge System, it provides online public access to monitoring information, partner systems, interactive maps, and data, enhancing the early detection capabilities of environmental trends within the GBR.

Investments in the Reef

Both the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, along with other stakeholders, have invested $3 billion over a decade (2014–15 to 2023–24) to implement the Reef 2050 Plan.

The resources and energy sector has played a significant role in supporting the plan through voluntary financial and in-kind contributions to projects, regional partnerships, restoration efforts such as the $7.95 million Raine Island turtle recovery project (see video below), community stewardship groups such as the Indigenous Land and Sea Ranger Program, and ongoing water quality monitoring such as the $2 million Future Reef ocean chemistry project (see video below). These contributions are additional to the considerable compliance investments already delivered to initiatives such as extensive monitoring, field management and research.

Ports and Shipping

Australia’s ports, including those adjacent to the GBR Marine Park, serve as crucial gateways for domestic and international trade, with 12 trading ports along the GBR coast. Key ports like Townsville, Abbot Point, Hay Point, Mackay, and Gladstone handle major bulk commodities and other goods for global trade.

Learn more about ports and shipping, including other ports operating along the GBR coast in QRC’s Working alongside the Great Barrier Reef fact sheet.

The Sustainable Ports Development Act 2015, aligned with the Reef 2050 Plan, regulates port development, designating priority ports and restricting new developments in the GBR World Heritage Area. Port Master Plans, balancing environmental considerations and infrastructure development, are required for priority ports, and are reviewed every 10 years.

Dredging

Dredging, which is essential for maintaining shipping access, involves capital and maintenance dredging, with the latter adhering to approved dimensions and undergoing rigorous environmental assessment consistent with the Queensland Government’s Maintenance-Dredging-Strategy-November-2016 (Maintenance Dredging Strategy). Capital dredging for new channels is only accepted within priority ports, ensuring environmentally safe disposal contingent on a comprehensive environmental assessment and permit approval.

To safeguard the Reef, ships leaving ports must strictly follow designated shipping areas, report intended passages, and employ marine pilots for safe navigation through the GBR Marine Park. This process is managed by the sophisticated GBR and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS) for enhanced safety and pollution prevention. Ports also contribute to Reef 2050 Plan actions, including the North-East Shipping Management Plan, focusing on managing increased shipping traffic, ensuring safety, and preventing environmental impacts in the GBR, Torres Strait, and Coral Sea regions. Overall, the approach involves strategic planning, environmental safeguards, and collaboration to balance trade and reef conservation.