The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) and the Department of the Environment and Energy are to receive $56 million to expand the environmental management and compliance operations on the Great Barrier Reef in a funding program adding up to more than $500 million.
Announcing the funding, Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull said it was aimed at helping to protect thousands of jobs, improve water quality, tackle coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish and support scientific reef restoration.
Mr. Turnbull said it was the largest single allocation of funding to reef protection.
He said part of the expenditure would go to a $444 million agreement with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation to tackle crown-of-thorns starfish, reduce pollution into the reef and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Noting that the allocation was made during the International Year of the Reef, the Prime Minister said he hoped it would also go towards inspiring Australians, philanthropists and companies to co-invest in a united effort to protect the reef, the planet’s greatest living wonder.
Mr. Turnbull said the partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation would involve improving water quality with changed farming practices; harnessing the best science to implement reef restoration; fighting the coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish and increasing community engagement.
He said it would also enhance reef health monitoring and reporting to track progress.
