Council would like to see an independent review of management structures, along with a quantification of future Federal and Queensland government investment should be part of a new long-term strategy to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Council has made 16 recommendations on the updated Draft Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, Australia's overarching long-term strategy for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef to support its health and resilience.
While there is support for the vision of the plan – The Great Barrier Reef is sustained as a living natural and cultural wonder of the world – Council recommended that the vision be reframed to inspire urgent action in the short to medium term from all stakeholders.
Recommendations made in Council's submission included:
- Quantify and confirm the future investment that will be made by the Australian and Queensland Governments in the Draft Plan's priority work areas over the period 2020 to 2025.
- Include as a strategic action a detailed independent review of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and Wet Tropics Rainforest (WTR) management structures and GBR/WTR funding (quantum and structure) requirements for the long-term management and preservation of these critical ecosystems.
- Acknowledge the potential benefits to the GBR of pursuing a 'Green Economy' objective.
- Include support for local governments to work in conjunction with Traditional Owners on catchment and coastal management.
