- 11 Traditional Owner-led projects funded to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
- Environmental projects build skills, create jobs, and foster long-term cultural and ecological stewardship.
- Projects across Great Barrier Reef catchments will help train young rangers, undertake habitat restoration, and protect islands, lagoons, and wetlands.
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a boost to Great Barrier Reef protection and restoration with grants supporting Traditional Owners to undertake key environmental projects.
Eleven projects will share in $2 million of funding under the Crisafulli Government's new Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grant Program.
The grant program supports Traditional Owner organisations – along with natural resource management partners – to lead local, on-Country projects that improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef and build long-term capacity for Indigenous-led environmental management.
Minister for Tourism and the Environment Andrew Powell said the grant program was a bold new step in empowering First Nations communities and safeguarding the future of the Great Barrier Reef.
"The grants mark an exciting expansion of the successful Reef Assist Program, which has been delivering hands-on environmental projects and creating regional jobs across the Reef catchments," Minister Powell said.
"This program assists in preserving one of the world's most precious ecosystems, while also creating pathways for jobs, skills, and future project delivery.
"There is no-one more passionate about preserving and restoring the Great Barrier Reef than Queenslanders."
Grants of up to $200,000 per project were available to eligible applicants across Great Barrier catchments.
Ms Kaylene Malthouse, Chairperson of the Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, said the $195,000 received for a pilot Junior Ranger Program would allow Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji People to enhance their work on Country, caring for the Reef the way Traditional Owners have for generations.
"It's not just about protecting the environment; it's about creating jobs, building skills, and empowering our young people to be the next generation of land and sea managers," Ms Malthouse said.
"We're proud to share our knowledge and take real action to keep the Reef strong for everyone, now and into the future.
"Having the Queensland Government support Traditional Owner-led projects shows real respect for our role as custodians of land and sea," Ms Malthouse said.
Details of the successful applicants and their projects, which span the Great Barrier Reef catchments and include protecting islands, lagoons, and wetlands; undertaking habitat restoration, and training young rangers, are available here .
