Multimillion-dollar funding boost to save the Great Barrier Reef
One of the world’s most celebrated natural assets is about to get a multimillion-dollar boost to save it from critical threats.
In an effort to preserve the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef, there will be considerable funding in this month’s Queensland state budget, 9News exclusively revealed.
This month’s Queensland state budget will feature considerable funding in an effort to preserve the breathtaking Great Barrier Reef. 9News
Just as there’s no denying it’s beauty, there is no disputing the coral reef’s a precious jewel under pressure.
Professor Peter Mumby, a University of Queensland coral reef ecologist, said the “future of the reef is somewhat bleak given the pathway we’re following”.
There have been multiple mass coral bleaching events on the reef in the past decade and UNESCO warns an “in danger listing” could be considered.
They flagged climate change and water pollution as key threats too, with the State Government targeting the latter.
9News can reveal $330.5 million will be committed in this month’s budget.
“We’ve got to work with farmers, with councils, with property owners with NRM groups to ensure we’re doing everything to make sure what’s coming off those catchments gives the reef a fighting chance,” Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell told 9News.
The money will fund research jobs and programs to help landowners improve sediment, nitrogen and pesticide management across all six reef regions.
“We see that it bounces back, but it bounces back better when (we) can look at what’s coming onto the reef from the neighbouring catchment,” Powell added.
Although big money, much more stands to be lost if the stress on the reef isn’t alleviated.
The natural wonder contributes $9 billion dollars annually to Australia’s economy.
The natural wonder contributes $9 billion dollars annually to Australia’s economy. 9News
And the world is watching as next month, UNESCO delivers a key report evaluating the progress of the reef’s health, putting pressure on the state and federal governments to step up.
The Albanese government committed $91.8 million in its May budget.
The money will fund programs to help landowners improve sediment, nitrogen and pesticide management. 9News
Peter Gash the custodian of Lady Elliot Island - the southernmost coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef, about 80 kilometres north-east of Bundaberg- is full of hope.
After spending the past two decades as custodian he knows how resilient the reef is.
“Yes, it’s under stress, but I’m confident that our children and grandchildren will see a beautiful reef in years to come as long as we keep working together,” he told 9News.
“We as humans, we as Aussies, we as Queenslanders can recover these places and rebuild, provided we put our heart and soul into it.”
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