Funding available for reef water quality projects, natural capital market

• The Miles Government is making up to $5.5 million in funding available for projects aimed at improving water quality in reef catchments.
• A further $750,000 is on offer for projects to further develop the natural capital market in Queensland and integrate investments in reef catchments.
• Both opportunities further demonstrate the government’s strong commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

The Miles Government is making up to $5.5 million in funding available for local projects to help improve water quality in catchments adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.

The funding, from the Miles Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program (QRWQP), will support new place-based integrated water quality projects which bring together community, industry and other stakeholders to design and deliver the projects in a way that responds to local needs, issues and opportunities.

Projects may focus on a variety of opportunities from agricultural land and catchment management, landscape remediation to natural capital, agricultural supply chains, and circular economy opportunities.

The new funding builds on the success of previous place-based initiatives, including the Burdekin and Wet Tropics Major Integrated Projects (MIPs).

The MIPs were tailored to local needs, had a catchment-wide focus and were designed from the ground-up with landholders and experts. They included a broad range of activities from water quality monitoring and practice change to catchment repair, gully remediation, incentives and extension.

The new tranche of place-based projects are expected to have a similar broad focus and look at not only supporting water quality, land management and environmental outcomes, but also the promotion of skills and jobs, regional growth, and enduring legacy outcomes across the Reef catchment.

The Miles Government is also offering a further $750,000 in funding for projects to further develop the natural capital market in Queensland and integrate investments in reef catchments.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard:

“Only Labor Governments are strongly committed to protecting the Great Barrier Reef, with the Miles and Albanese governments investing significantly in projects and initiatives to address the threats faced by this iconic and unique ecosystem.

“We know that water quality is one of the major threats to the reef, that’s why since 2015, Queensland Labor Governments invested $1 billion on programs and initiatives to protect the reef, including close to $290 million over five years for the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.

“Reef place-based integrated projects are in a unique position to influence a long-term cultural and land stewardship shift towards sustainability.

“Past projects, such as the Wet Tropics and Burdekin MIPs, have demonstrated success in bringing key players together to co-design and influence land and catchment management.

“These place-based projects will take a grassroots approach to design and delivery to foster a whole-of system, values-based approach that is tailored to local issues, values, economic drivers and ecosystem services and supported by local data, knowledge, experience and expertise.

“These projects present opportunities for Queensland’s land and agriculture sectors to not only achieve genuine ecological outcomes and enhanced productivity and profitability, but also to contribute to the State’s low-carbon future. .

“That’s why the government is committed to working with these sectors, and others, to enhance the State’s environment and further develop the natural capital market in Queensland.”

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

Grant Program Guidelines are available here - https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/agriculture/sustainable-farming/reef/reef-major-projects

Applications close at 12pm, Tuesday 30 April, 2024 and can be submitted here - https://des.smartygrants.com.au/RPBIPS2

ENDS

Media contact: Scott Chandler – (07) 3719 7339