Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Andrew Powell MP, Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism
Today on World Ranger Day, the Albanese Government is furthering its commitment to support Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers to protect and manage the Great Barrier Reef with a $12.6 million investment.
The Government is expanding the Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program and boosting its ability to deliver activities that improve water quality and protect ecologically and culturally significant species on the Reef.
This could include activities such as restoring important habitats and managing pests that pose a threat to the health of the Reef.
It will also expand the Program's valuable in-water and on-ground activities, including cleaning up shorelines, monitoring biodiversity, undertaking compliance activities, responding to incidents, and educating tourists.
The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program has an existing network of over 200 Indigenous rangers, with 130 employed working across the Great Barrier Reef Catchments and coastlines.
Since it began in 2007, the Program demonstrated benefits of successfully combining traditional knowledge of Country with specialised training and experience in managing natural and cultural resources.
The funding will be delivered through two competitive grant rounds that will be managed by the Queensland Government.
The Albanese Government is also investing a further $3 million for the People and Land Connections Program to ensure future Reef programs are more targeted to secure the long-term health of the Reef.
The funding will support CSIRO to continue to undertake the Integrated Human Dimension Monitoring and Reporting for Adaptive Management of the Great Barrier Reef project.
This project will improve understanding of the relationship between land management at a regional and catchment scale, human use and actions.
These commitments are part of the Government's $192 million Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef package and our record $1.2 billion investment to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.
Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt:
"This World Ranger Day, the Albanese Government is continuing its commitment to support strong partnerships with Traditional Owners and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
"First Nations people were the custodians and caretakers of the Reef. They have been successfully looking after Country for 65,000 years. We want to see more Traditional Owners protecting more of our land.
"There are approximately 70 Traditional Owner groups whose sea Country includes the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and who are Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef region.
"The Albanese Government is proud to partner with Traditional Owners and support their aspirations to care and protect sea Country."
Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to double the number of Indigenous Rangers by the end of the decade.
"For more than 65,000 years, First Nations people have cared for Australia's land, rivers, seas, wildlife and plants, Indigenous Rangers continue that legacy today, including caring for one of the world's most treasured natural wonders, the Great Barrier Reef.
"This investment will help expand the Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program in Queensland, supporting management of land and sea Country according to Traditional Owners' objectives combined with modern conservation training."
Quotes attributable to the Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell:
"We can't wait to have these Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers out and about sharing their incredible knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef - with both visitors and locals.
"We know tourists are looking for authentic experiences, and hearing from Traditional Owners about their care and knowledge of the Reef ensures an unforgettable experience here in Queensland.
"We also welcome the Traditional Owners deep understanding of the local ecosystems, and the contribution they bring to our efforts to ensure the Great Barrier Reef remains vibrant for generations to come."
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Tourism and Senator for Queensland, Nita Green:
"The Queensland Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers Program delivers results on and off the water.
"The Great Barrier Reef is important to Australia not only economically but also culturally and this investment will go a long way in continuing the great work being done to protect one of our most precious natural assets."
Quotes attributable Federal Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith:
"World Ranger Day is something to be celebrated, not just for the valuable work that they do on both land and sea country, but for how far they have come.
"Using their traditional knowledge, we have seen huge successes in both conservation and monitoring efforts, as well as providing education for people from all over the world, on all aspects of the environment.
"I am so excited to see the latest $12 million investment going towards the protection and managing of the Great Barrier Reef and the outcomes that will come with it."
