Reef Trust Partnerships for the Reef

Reef
Trust
PARTNERSHIPS
FOR THE REEF
1
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Australia, 20015.
Reef Trust Partnerships for the Reef is
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Reef Trust Partnership for the Reef,
Commonwealth of Australia 2015.
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Cover: Bowl Reef, Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority
Inside Cover: The Point Crinoids, orange
feather star, Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority
2
INTRODUCTION
The Great Barrier
Reef is our national
treasure and a
natural wonder of
the world.
It is the world’s largest coral reef,
stretching more than 2,300 kilometres
along the Queensland coast and covering
348,000 square kilometres. An iconic natural
wonder, it consists of a maze of magical
coral reefs and beautiful islands and
habitats that support a unique and diverse
array of species.
We, the Australian and Queensland
governments, have a strong track record of
protecting and managing the Reef, drawing
on a range of tools, including legislation and
regulation, and planning and partnerships.
The recently released Reef 2050 Plan
provides a solid and overarching strategy
for the next 35 years for building on these
management arrangements, addressing key
threats and directly boosting the health and
resilience of the Reef.
We are committed to strengthening
existing efforts to manage and protect
the Great Barrier Reef, with government
investment in the Reef projected to be more
than $2 billion over the next decade. Our
investments have been bolstered by the
significant contributions and commitment of
Traditional Owners, industry, philanthropy
and the local community to the long-term
health of the Reef.
Even with this level of investment and
partnership, we know that more can be done.
The Great Barrier Reef is facing significant
pressures and we need to build on existing
efforts if we are to maintain it in good
condition for future generations.
The Reef Trust can receive and disburse
funds from government and non-government
sources, and broker partnerships and
collaboration for the Reef. The Trust delivers
priority projects to address critical threats
and pressures to the Reef, with funds
directed to projects focusing on on-ground
action and efforts.
We invite you to be part of this important
and exciting initiative. The innovation, good
will and commitment of industry, the private
sector and philanthropy all have a key role
to play in protecting and conserving the
Great Barrier Reef.
We are interested in sponsorship,
co-investment and collaborative
arrangements to deliver projects and explore
your ideas on how to better protect the Reef.
Partnerships for the Reef sets out a range of
sponsorship and investment opportunities
for you to consider. Join us and start a
conversation on how we can better work
together to protect and conserve our national
treasure—the Great Barrier Reef.
We look forward to
working with you.
We want to build on existing partnerships
and work with you—industry, financial
institutions, community organisations, the
corporate and philanthropic sectors, and
individuals—to conserve the outstanding
universal value and rich biodiversity of the
Great Barrier Reef.
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CONTENTS
4
Blue Stripped Snapper, Commonwealth of Australia
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................3
INVITATION TO PARTNER..........................................................................................6
PARTNER BENEFITS.................................................................................................8
PATHWAYS FOR PARTNERSHIP................................................................................9
THE REEF TRUST....................................................................................................11
Investment Principles............................................................................................11
PROTECTING OUR MARINE BIODIVERSITY.............................................................12
Projects for Partnership.........................................................................................13
STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF COASTAL HABITAT..............14
Projects for Partnerships.......................................................................................15
IMPROVING WATER QUALITY..................................................................................16
Projects for Partnerships.......................................................................................17
CONSERVATION FINANCE.......................................................................................18
GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT................................................................20
NEXT STEPS...........................................................................................................22
Reef
Trust
PARTNERSHIPS
FOR THE REEF
5
INVITATION TO PARTNER
The Australian and
Queensland governments
have successfully worked
together for over four
decades with natural
resource management
regions, industry, Traditional
Owners, community and
local government, to manage
and protect the marine and
coastal biodiversity and
ecosystems of the Great
Barrier Reef.
We want to build on these partnerships
and invite you to work with us through the
Reef Trust to strengthen our ability to tackle
the significant threats and pressures facing
the Reef.
The Reef Trust was established in 2014 to be
a long-term mechanism for bringing together
investment from both government and
non-government sources. Since its
establishment, the Australian Government
has committed $140 million to the
Reef Trust for direct on-ground action for
the Reef­—both in the water and on-land.
The Reef Trust operates with the highest
levels of accountability and transparency.
Stringent financial controls, project
management and reporting requirements are
in place to ensure all funds are delivered in
an ethical, equitable and effective manner.
The delivery of all investment is supported by
scientific rigour, with projects reviewed and
endorsed by a panel of independent experts.
We invite interested organisations, investors
and individuals to partner and collaborate
with the Reef Trust to maximise the outcomes
for the Reef for every dollar invested.
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Effective collaboration and strong
partnerships are the foundation for the
on-going protection and conservation
of the Great Barrier Reef.
York
A Cape
Cooktown
Wet
BTropics
Cairns
Mareeba
Innisfail
Burdekin
Ingham
Townsville
Charters Towers
Ayr
Mackay
Whitsunday
Bowen
Proserpine
Mackay
Through the Reef
Trust, you can be part
of our long history
of partnership and
collaboration to protect
and conserve the Great
Barrier Reef.
Projects through the Reef
Trust are delivered within the
Great Barrier Reef and the
adjacent coastal areas and
catchments.
Fitzroy
St Lawrence
Emerald
Rockhampton
Gladstone
Burnett
Mary
Bundaberg
Hervey Bay
Maryborough
Gympie
Kingaroy
Aerial view of the Great Barrier Reef,
Department of the Environment
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PARTNER BENEFITS
By supporting the delivery
of projects through the
Reef Trust, you will
contribute to the long-term
protection and conservation
of the Great Barrier Reef
for future generations
to come.
The Reef Trust focuses on priority on-ground
actions to address immediate threats and
pressures to the Reef—improving water
quality and coastal habitat, and protecting
threatened and migratory species.
Your support and investment can help:
»» improve marine habitat protection,
including removing invasive species,
to better protect the diverse marine
species that call the Reef home
»» improve coastal and sea infrastructure,
to reduce the impact of coastal
development on the Reef’s unique
ecosystems and its threatened and
migratory species
Your role and commitment to protecting
and conserving the Great Barrier Reef will
be widely acknowledged. All Reef Trust
investments will be recognised in branding
of project materials, ranging from online
publications and reports to social media
activities and Reef events.
»» guarantee that your investment will
In addition through the Reef Trust you will
receive:
»» staff development opportunities to directly
»» assurance your investment is supported
by strong and established governance
and administrative arrangements of the
Reef 2050 Plan and Reef Trust
deliver on-ground action
»» transparency on the delivery of projects,
including regular reports and information
on project performance and use of funds
»» site visit opportunities to directly see the
impact of your contribution and support
support environmental conservation
activities on-ground.
»» repair and rehabilitate coastal areas and
Reef catchments to enhance ecosystem
connectivity and improve the quality of
water entering the Reef
Staff
development
opportunities
»» revegetate key islands within the Reef that
The Reef Trust is an opportunity
for you to invest in the long-term
protection and conservation of
the Great Barrier Reef.
are important breeding grounds and home
to seabird species
»» improve agricultural management
practices in Reef catchments to
reduce nutrient and sediment
run-off into the Reef.
Tangible
Reef restoration
outcomes
Promotion
opportunities
Accountability
Transparency
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Beaked Coral Fish, Bowl Reef,
Tubastrea Coral, Cuttlefish and Asteriod Starfish,
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
PATHWAYS FOR
PARTNERSHIP
Soft Coral Sun, leather coral, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
If you are interested in
supporting the protection
and conservation of the
Great Barrier Reef, the
Reef Trust has a range of
investment opportunities
available.
The projects in this document were
identified in collaboration with Queensland
Government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority and natural resource
management regions along the Queensland
coast. With your investment they will
deliver targeted on-ground action to address
priority threats and pressures to the
Great Barrier Reef.
These projects are just one way you can be
involved. We are also interested in your ideas
for other projects and opportunities to better
protect and conserve the Great Barrier Reef.
Please send through your thoughts, project
ideas and innovations for the Reef; we are very
happy to explore how we can work together
to put them into action. We can offer our
knowledge, experience, and strong networks
and contacts across the Great Barrier Reef and
its catchments to help foster discussions and
broker partnerships. The Reef Trust can help
you also align your ideas with priority areas for
investment and the Reef 2050 Plan.
We are also very interested in harnessing
the growing contribution and importance of
citizen science, and your ideas on how we
could better use citizen science for the
Great Barrier Reef.
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We have already committed to our first
project with co-investment through
the Reef Trust. Greening Australia,
in partnership with Birdlife Australia,
Conservation Volunteers Australia and
WetlandCare Australia, is partnering
with the Reef Trust to deliver a project
to restore and repair priority wetland
areas along the Great Barrier Reef
coast. The Australian Government
has committed to providing $2 million
to match funds raised by Greening
Australia and its partners from private
donors for the project. The project will
commence in early 2016 and will be
delivered in collaboration with natural
resource management regions,
landholders, indigenous groups,
science and community organisations.
Brendan Foran
CEO of Greening Australia
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Lion Fish, Department of the Environment
Partnership in Practice
“Greening Australia and its
partners look forward to
working with the Reef Trust,
businesses and private donors
to make an impact on the
health of the Great Barrier Reef
through restoration of priority
wetlands. This innovative
partnership is backed by the
organisations’ community
supporters numbering around
120,000 people. The four
organisations bring over
190 years combined
experience and strong
science partnerships.”
THE REEF TRUST
The Reef 2050 Plan is the
overarching framework
for the protection and
adaptive management of the
Great Barrier Reef from
2015 to 2050.
Investment Principles
The Reef Trust is a key mechanism for the
delivery of the Reef 2050 Plan. It focuses
on priority on-ground actions to address
immediate threats and pressures to the Reef:
improving the quality of water entering the
Reef, improving the health and resilience of
coastal habitat, and protecting threatened and
migratory species.
»» cost-effectiveness in their approach
Through the Reef Trust, we will ensure that
your contribution and investment aligns with
the Reef 2050 Plan.
In delivering on-ground action, we will ensure
projects align with our ‘principles for investment’:
»» additionality and complementarity with existing
investment in the Reef
»» clear outcomes and targets, with a focus on
delivering results
»» cognisance of available funds, in the Reef Trust
»» collaboration and partnership, with the
interested partners, including community
organisations, Indigenous groups, natural
resource management regions, industry
groups and local government
The Reef Trust provides
cost-effective, strategic investment
which goes above and beyond existing
programmes, to address key threats to
the Great Barrier Reef and catchments,
for the long-term protection and
conservation of the outstanding
universal value of the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Trust Objective
»» effective delivery, based on sound scientific
methodologies and practical approach, and
targeted monitoring and evaluation
»» evidence based and scientifically defensible,
with project aligned with best available
scientific and expert advice
»» importance of leveraging, with increased focus
on co-investment
»» strategic on-ground change, with a strong
focus on on-ground delivery with minimal
administrative overheads
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PROTECTING OUR
MARINE
BIODIVERSITY
Through the Reef Trust,
we can work together to
improve and protect marine
biodiversity, including
reducing crown-of-thorns
starfish and protecting listed
threatened and migratory
species, such as dugongs
and turtles.
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An array of marine species relies on the
habitats provided by the Great Barrier Reef
to feed and survive. These habitats range
from mangroves and seagrass meadows
to coral reefs and open waters. The recent
decline in coral cover is largely the result of
a combination of cyclones, crown-of-thorns
starfish outbreaks and mass bleaching,
with sediments and pesticides from run-off
impacting upon the ability of inshore coral
reef areas to recover.
Seagrass meadows are a primary food source
for many species including dugongs and
turtles. They provide nursery habitat for fish
species and are a major source of primary
production. The health of seagrass meadows
has declined in recent years, due to extreme
weather and ongoing chronic impacts such as
poor water quality.
To address the pressures and threats to the
marine species of the Great Barrier Reef,
you could partner with us to control invasive
species such as crown-of-thorns starfish
or support activities such as marine debris
clean-up and island conservation.
Raine Island
Recovery Project
In 2014–15 the Australian and
Queensland Governments funded
a pilot research and rehabilitation
project on remote Raine Island, the
world’s largest green turtle rookery
and critical seabird nesting habitat.
Building upon the learnings of this
successful pilot project, an investment
of $5.45 million was secured by the
Great Barrier Reef Foundation from
BHP Billiton. Bringing together the
private, public and philanthropic
sectors, and in collaboration with
traditional owners, the Raine Island
Recovery project is undertaking
an ambitious five-year program of
research, capacity-building and
on-ground works aimed at improving
outcomes for critical marine species.
Project activities include beach
re-profiling, sand replenishment,
fencing, turtle tagging, remote
sensing, monitoring, modelling and
Indigenous Ranger training.
Projects for Partnership
“To secure the Reef’s
future we need to
work together—
governments, industry
and communities—to
ensure this natural
wonder remains healthy
and resilient, so that
it enriches the lives of
future generations just as
it does for us today.”
Dr Russell Reichelt
Chairman of the Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority
Seabird Resilience
Over 75 cays throughout the Great Barrier
Reef have been identified as seabird breeding
colonies. Seabirds face many threats that
currently endanger their populations and
impact their breeding and foraging habitats.
The threats range from predators on breeding
islands, limited food, marine pollution,
marine debris and climate change.
Restoration of seabird nesting habitats on
islands can make a meaningful difference
to supporting seabird resilience. Vegetation
restoration and pest management undertaken
as part of a holistic approach to island
restoration has been demonstrated to deliver
real improvements for nesting viability.
Potential project activities could include
protecting critical nesting and roosting sites,
targeting pest plants and animals, preventing
the introduction of invasive species and
maintaining appropriate fire regimes.
Crown-of-Thorns Starfish
Control
Strategic and tactical management of
crown-of-thorns starfish is essential to
support coral reef health and resilience, and
the ecological, economic and heritage values
of the Great Barrier Reef. To stop coral cover
loss from crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks,
additional tactical control is proposed across
the Reef. This project would strengthen
tactical control of crown-of-thorns starfish by
identifying priority reefs for action, assessing
reefs based on their current condition,
pressures, value and their ability to recover
ecological condition. The project would aim to
maintain coral cover above critical levels and
sustain coral recovery where possible.
This project would be in addition
to, and build upon, the significant
activities already underway to manage
crown-of-thorns starfish and the
current outbreak in the Great Barrier
Reef. This additional control would help
us act quickly and deliver immediate
actions that will complement longer
term efforts to reduce crown-of-thorns
starfish outbreaks, both in frequency
and severity. Additional investment
could also strengthen our understanding
and innovative science supporting
crown-of-thorns starfish management.
This project delivered over three years
would require $7 million in funding and
could be scalable
Island management to improve seabird
resilience would require around $1 million
over five years per island.
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STRENGTHENING
THE HEALTH
AND RESILIENCE
OF COASTAL
HABITAT
Through the Reef Trust,
you can partner with us
to improve the health and
resilience of coastal habitats.
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Since European settlement there have been
significant losses and modifications to coastal
habitats along the Great Barrier Reef. These
habitats, which include wetlands, mangroves
and riparian areas, support the Great
Barrier Reef ecosystem and provide it with
vital ecosystem services, such as filtering
nutrients and sediments from water that will
enter the Reef.
Ecosystem connectivity helps maintain
biodiversity and allows species that are rare
and unique to the Reef to move between
habitats to feed and survive. Coastal
land degradation due to poorly planned
development negatively impacts this
connectivity and ability of the Reef’s marine
biodiversity to thrive.
The Reef Trust invites you to partner with
us to deliver an investment program which
improves connectivity and ultimately
improves degraded ecosystems. Your
investment could support the repair and
restoration of degraded ecosystems in
coastal areas along the Great Barrier
Reef. It would contribute to re-establishing
the natural order, including ecosystem
processes such as nursery areas,
floodwater buffers and sediment and
nutrient filters and sinks, which are
essential to the health and resilience of
the Great Barrier Reef.
Projects for Partnerships
“Partner with us to directly
benefit the Reef. Fitzroy
coastal ecosystems play
a vital role in the ongoing
health of the Great Barrier
Reef. The Fitzroy is unique,
containing complex coastal
habitats that support
temperate and tropical flora
and fauna species. Your
investment will enhance
coastal ecosystems by
supporting on-ground
actions to improve the
resilience of our landscapes
and waterways.”
Sub-Catchment Repair
To address the historical impact of change
in land-use for coastal development,
an integrated project is proposed for
sub-catchment ecosystem repair in the
Fitzroy region adjacent to the Reef. Actions to
improve ecosystem connectivity would include
creating riparian corridors, removing fish
barriers, enhancing stream bank integrity,
connecting of pockets of State Forest/
remnant vegetation (with areas already
undergoing revegetation), improving fish
habitat and land management practices, and
tackling pest animal and weed populations.
It will include a public awareness campaign
and the development of a sub-catchment
management plan to assist in sustainable
long-term change and improvement in
land-management practices.
Native Plant Nursery and
Weed Control
The Fitzroy region has long experienced
a high demand for native plants and
bio-control species to use in rehabilitation
and weed control projects. To support the
health and revegetation of riparian areas,
wetlands and degraded landscapes, a native
plant nursery in the Fitzroy Basin would
provide access to locally sourced genetic
material that will protect regional diversity
and support rehabilitated landscapes.
The project would seek to expand weed
control by providing access to bio-control
species (such as, Jewel Beetles for Cats
Claw Creeper / UU moth for Parkinsonia),
which play a key role in the health and
resilience of coastal ecosystems.
Local governments have expressed interest
in supporting the establishment of a native
plant nursery, with partnership and
co-investment opportunities available.
This project is suitable for delivery in other
catchment regions up and down the Reef coast
and would help build local capacity, skills
and expertise. This project would run over
five years and require $2 million in funding.
Requiring $5 million over five years, this
integrated project would be significant for
coastal ecosystems and the Great Barrier
Reef, and also provide a model for other
sub-catchments.
Paul Birch
CEO, Fitzroy Basin Association
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IMPROVING
WATER
QUALITY
Through the Reef Trust,
you can help improve the
quality of water entering the
Great Barrier Reef from
broad-scale land-use and
land-based erosion.
Catchment run-off from diffuse sources
remains a high threat to the Great Barrier
Reef. Excess nitrogen applied to crops
growing in the coastal regions and Reef
catchments enters the Great Barrier Reef
through losses into rivers and waterways
that drain into the Reef lagoon. High levels of
this excess nitrogen affect marine ecosystems
and create ideal breeding conditions for the
coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish.
Sediment from land-based erosion,
primarily grazing lands, also impacts marine
ecosystems when it makes its way to the
Reef, smothering seagrasses and corals
which are vital to sustaining life and marine
biodiversity in the Great Barrier Reef.
You could partner with us to work with
landholders across all agricultural industries
to help improve management practices and
the condition of farming and grazing land
along the coast of the Reef.
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Project Catalyst
Project Catalyst is a five-year
$10.5 million partnership involving
innovative Queensland cane growers
and major program partners—regional
natural resource management bodies,
the Australian Government, World
Wildlife Fund Australia and the
Coca-Cola Foundation. The
partnership supports a network of
farmers from the Mackay Whitsunday,
Burdekin and Wet Tropics regions
who are leading in the use of
cutting-edge management practices
for more sustainable and effective
farming future. Since its launch,
Project Catalyst has expanded
from 19 growers and 4,800 hectares
of farmland to approximately
140 growers and more than
40,000 hectares. The project has
improved the quality of more than
205,550 billion litres of run-off water
flowing into the Great Barrier Reef
by reducing the amount of nitrogen,
phosphorus, pesticides and other
pollutants. Participating farmers have
also benefited from higher profits.
Projects for Partnerships
“Although many
Burnett Mary landholders
are located south of the
Great Barrier Reef, they still
understand their impact
on Reef water quality—
particularly with sediment
run-off. Sadly, it’s not a
cheap fix; but building
on our partnerships and
with genuine collaboration,
we know there are
some great wins and
outcomes to be had.”
Penny Hall
CEO, Burnett Mary Regional Group for
Natural Resource Management
Establishing Floating
Wetlands
Floating wetlands, made from recycled plastic
soft drink bottles, have been widely used in
wastewater treatment systems to reduce
pollutants, such as nutrients and suspended
sediments, from reaching the Reef lagoon.
The recycled plastic is made into a
non-woven, durable, non-toxic mould that
is dense, porous, solid and coated in UV
resistant resin. Native grasses, sedges
and rushes, which can be anchored and
tethered into the material, grow down in
to the water. Using natural processes of
plant and root growth the floating wetlands
encourage microbes and bacteria on the
root surface, which in-turn removes
pollutants from the water.
Floating wetlands have been used in a range
of urban settings in Queensland, such as
south-east Queensland, and overseas, but are
yet to be used in irrigated farming systems.
A project to trial the use of floating wetlands
in irrigated cane areas, such as the lower
Burdekin, is proposed for delivery through
the Reef Trust to assist in reducing nutrient
run-off into the Reef. Following effective
trial of this project, floating wetlands could
be built in other areas along the Reef where
nutrient run-off is a priority concern.
To establish an initial floating wetland,
$3 million in funding would be required over
three years. Thorough monitoring processes
would capture the success of the floating
wetland and assist in exploring options for
expanding the project.
Restoring Riparian Areas
This project would restore and
protect riparian areas in high priority
sub-catchments identified as having high
sediment run-off along both the Mary and
Burnett Rivers. This would involve fencing
works for stock management, planting
appropriate vegetation on bare ground and
stabilising stream banks to reduce sediment
run-off. The project includes a regional
education programme to provide practical
on-ground advice, engagement and support
to landholders with visits to demonstration
sites, to highlight the benefits of healthy
riparian zones.
This project would be delivered over
three years and would require $1.5 million in
funding. The size and duration of the project
is scalable and could be transferred into
other priority catchments where sediment is
being lost into the Reef.
There is direct evidence sediment losses
from catchments impact on seagrass and
coral ecosystems in the Reef that provide
home and feeding grounds for a number
of marine species, including turtles and
dugongs. A project to restore riparian areas
in the Burnett Mary catchments will address
sediment being released from the Mary River
and Burnett River catchments into the Great
Barrier Reef.
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Humphead Maori Wrasse, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
CONSERVATION
FINANCE
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The Reef Trust offers
you an opportunity to
innovatively invest in the
Great Barrier Reef.
The Reef Trust is exploring options to
deliver other conservation financing
vehicles for the Reef, such as green bonds
and impact investing.
We are currently obtaining expert
financial advice and analysis, and have
established the Reef Trust Innovative
Mechanisms Panel to guide our
decision-making on the development
and delivery of these mechanisms through
the Reef Trust. This panel will provide a
forum for interested experts to offer their
opinion and evaluate a range of innovative
financial mechanisms which could be
piloted for the Great Barrier Reef.
If you are interested in being part of these
innovative ventures, contact us. We are
very interested in working with you to
deliver innovation through the Reef Trust
for the Great Barrier Reef.
Contribute to the
establishment of
innovation, through
the Reef Trust, for the
Great Barrier Reef.
19
GOVERNANCE
AND RISK
MANAGEMENT
Through the Reef Trust,
your contributions and
investment will be
delivered with strong and
established governance
and administrative
arrangements.
Management of your investment will be
supported by the strong and established
governance and administrative arrangements
of the Reef 2050 Plan and Reef Trust.
Arrangements for the Reef Trust ensure all
funds are appropriately managed, risks are
effectively identified and addressed, and
investment is strategically delivered in a
cost-effective and efficient manner.
Independent expert advice on Reef Trust
funding priorities is provided by the
Reef 2050 Plan Independent Expert
Panel, chaired by Professor Ian Chubb.
Panel members represent a broad
cross-section of scientific expertise in
areas relevant to managing key threats
to the Great Barrier Reef. Additional advice
and guidance is also provided by the
Queensland Great Barrier Reef Water Science
Taskforce and the Great Barrier Reef Marine
Park Authority.
The Reef Trust also draws on the Reef
2050 Advisory Committee to engage with
the broader community and industry. The
Advisory Committee, which consists of
senior representatives from key industry and
community bodies, provides strategic advice
on the implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan,
including the Reef Trust.
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Coral Cod, Great Barrier Reef
Marine Park Authority
Decision-Making - Prioritisation
and Evidence-Base
The Reef Trust is delivered by the Australian
Government in collaboration with the
Queensland Government.
As an initiative administered by the Australian
Government, the Reef Trust has stringent
financial, project management and reporting
processes in place.
Investment delivered through the Reef Trust,
including the contracting and delivery of
projects, is in accordance with the Public
Governance, Performance and Accountability
Act 2013, the Commonwealth Grant Rules and
Guidelines and Guidelines for the Management
of Special Accounts.
Reef Trust projects are delivered by
experienced and trusted delivery partners that
are identified in-line with relevant frameworks
and processes. Partners responsible for
leading the delivery of Reef Trust projects
must regularly report on the project’s
performance and take an adaptive approach
to managing the delivery of the project.
Reef Trust reporting and monitoring
arrangements provide a high-level of
transparency of the performance of the
Trust, including the delivery of its projects.
These arrangements ensure projects
effectively report against environmental
outcomes, account for the use of funds
and enable continuous improvement.
Further information on Reef Trust
financial arrangements, project
management, and monitoring and reporting
can be found on the Department of the
Environment website. www.environment.gov.
au/marine/gbr/reef-trust.
Reef Trust projects
are delivered by
experienced and
trusted delivery
partners.
Reef Trust investment decisions,
including the delivery of projects, are guided
by world-class biodiversity and climate
science coming from programmes, such
as the Reef Water Quality Science Program
and the National Environmental Science
Programme, and scientific reports like the
Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014 and
the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013
Prioritisation Project Report.
The process involves a collaborative approach
with scientific institutions, community and
management agencies to ensure a robust
scientific and economic process, to identify
high priority actions for Reef Trust investment
and practical appropriate delivery methods.
Decisions on investments, and how
best to deliver a project through the Reef
Trust, are underpinned by a rigorous
prioritisation process.
Further information on Reef Trust investment
decisions can be found on the Department of
the Environment website.www.environment.
gov.au/marine/gbr/reef-trust.
Review of best available information to identify
priority reef values, threats and regions
Analysis of existing efforts
Identification of potential interventions and
appropriate delivery mechanisms
Assessment of cost-effectiveness of
potential interventions
The process to prioritise projects for
Reef Trust investment is outlined in the
diagram below.
The Reef
Trust is guided
by world-class
biodiversity
and climate
science.
Phase III investment projects
21
WE INVITE YOU
TO START A
CONVERSATION
22
NEXT STEPS
We invite you to
start a conversation
with us on how we
can better protect
and conserve the
Great Barrier Reef
together.
For more information on the Reef Trust and
the opportunities available for you to be
involved, please contact:
Assistant Secretary
Reef Branch
Department of the Environment
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
P: 1800 852 975
E: [email protected]
Further information on the Reef Trust
and Reef 2050 Plan and its arrangements
can be found on the Department of the
Environment website. www.environment.gov.
au/marine/gbr/reef-trust.
Soft coral, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
23
Yellow feather star, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
24