Ground-breaking Urban Technology and Innovation Fund to protect Great Barrier Reef

• $24 million Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund.
• Transformative initiative to tackle urban water pollution from stormwater, wastewater, and industrial runoff.
• Supports the development of new management approaches and technologies. 

The Australian and Queensland Governments are launching the $24 million Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund, a transformative initiative set to drive cutting-edge solutions for improving water quality in the Great Barrier Reef.

The Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund will tackle urban water pollution from stormwater, wastewater, and industrial runoff. Urban areas cover less than one per cent of the Great Barrier Reef catchment, but their impact is still locally significant.   

The Fund will build on previous investments and existing initiatives, as well as support the development of new management approaches and technologies, or technologies applied at scale elsewhere but not tested within the Reef catchment. 

The joint Queensland-Commonwealth Fund will be comprised of $12 million Commonwealth funding and $12 million Queensland Government funding, with co-investment from project proponents, and will be overseen by the Queensland Government’s Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. 

For further information on the Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund, please visit https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/coasts-waterways/reef/reef-program/urban-technology-innovation-fund 

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Environment and Water, Murray Watt: 

“The Great Barrier Reef is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth, providing a habitat for thousands of marine species, including those that are endangered.  

“As a natural wonder, it holds cultural and economic significance, attracting millions of visitors and supporting local communities. It plays a crucial role in the Queensland economy as a major tourism centre, and through supporting fisheries and protecting the Queensland coastline from erosion. 

“Protecting the Reef through initiatives such as the Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund ensures that future generations can experience its beauty and benefit from the important ecological services it provides. 

“The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with the Queensland Government to protect the Reef and ensure commitments to the United Nations World Heritage Committee are upheld. 

“The Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund is part of our $192 million Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef package, and it builds on our $30 million investment for the Reefwise Urban Program, supporting activities to reduce water pollution from urban sources within priority Great Barrier Reef catchments.