Senator The Hon Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Senator The Hon Nita Green, Assistant Minister for Northern Australia, Assistant Minister for Tourism, Assistant Minister for Pacific Island Affairs
Matt Smith MP, Member for Leichhardt
The Albanese Government is investing $30 million in on-farm activities to improve the quality of water that flows into the Great Barrier Reef.
Under the Reefwise Farming Program, four projects will receive funding to help reduce the impact of nutrient and pesticide pollution on the Reef.
The program will support landholders to improve land management practices in priority catchments for water quality improvement in the Reef regions.
NQ Dry Tropics received almost $7.5 million to support improved irrigation efficiency on cane farms in the Lower Burdekin region, reducing nutrient and pesticide losses to groundwater and surface water runoff.
More than $7.4 million was provided to Reef Catchments to provide agronomy support to cane farmers in the Mackay Whitsunday region to design nutrient and chemical management plans and update farm equipment to minimise the loss of agriculturally sourced pollutants to waterways.
Burnett Mary Regional Group was given $7.48 million to improve the knowledge and capacity of farm businesses in the Burnett Mary region to adopt precision agriculture practices with Traditional Owners implementing riparian restoration activities to reduce excess nitrogen reaching the coast.
And Terrain NRM received $7.5 million to support cane growers in the Wet Tropics region to optimise fertiliser application and better manage crop diseases and pests, which will help improve crop yields while reducing nutrient and pesticide impacts to the Reef.
The program will run to 2027-28 and is funded through the Government's Reef Trust, contributing to the Reef 2050 plan priorities.
It is also part of the Albanese Government's record $1.2 billion investment to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt said it was crucial to support landholders to deliver clearer water to the Reef.
"One of the most iconic things about the Great Barrier Reef is the crystal blue water.
"Nutrient and pesticide pollution from nearby farms is one of the biggest threats to the Reef. Poor water quality stops coral from regrowing, kills seagrass, and blocks the sunlight needed for a healthy reef.
"This funding will help landholders boost productivity, while encouraging sustainable farming practices and improving water quality that flows into the Reef."
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Northern Australia, Nita Green said that this investment is crucial to ensuring a resilient Great Barrier Reef.
"Protecting the Reef means protecting Queensland jobs. Supporting landholders to do their part means we're building partnerships and the Reef's resilience.
"This investment is a win for the Reef and a win for farmers."
Member for Leichhardt, Matt Smith said today's investment continues the work the Albanese Labor Government is doing to both support farmers and protect the Great Barrier Reef.
"Far North Queensland is home to great farmers who are also passionate about our Reef so I'm glad we can stand with them.
"The Great Barrier Reef has an estimated value of $95 billion and directly supports 77,000 jobs, with many more reliant on the continued health of the Reef. We can't afford to risk the future of the Reef.
"Protecting the Great Barrier Reef is our responsibility, legacy, and duty and I am proud that the Albanese Labor Government is taking it seriously."
Recipient |
Funding |
Project Details |
NQ Dry Tropics |
$7.49 million |
Supporting improved irrigation efficiency on cane farms in the Lower Burdekin region, reducing nutrient and pesticide losses to groundwater and surface water runoff. |
Reef Catchments |
$7.45 million |
Providing agronomy support to cane farmers in the Mackay Whitsunday region to design nutrient and chemical management plans and update farm equipment to minimise the loss of agriculturally sourced pollutants to waterways. |
Burnett Mary Regional Group |
$7.48 million |
Improving the knowledge and capacity of farm businesses in the Burnett Mary region to adopt precision agriculture practices, with Traditional Owners implementing riparian restoration activities to reduce excess nitrogen reaching the coast. |
Terrain NRM |
$7.5 million |
Support cane growers in the Wet Tropics region to optimise fertiliser application and better manage crop diseases and pests which will help improve crop yields while reducing nutrient and pesticide impacts to the Reef. |
