Safeguarding the Great Barrier Reef through sustainable agriculture

The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world and a significant part of Australia’s national identity.

In partnership with the Australian Government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government, the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan was developed to provide a 35-year blueprint for managing and protecting the Reef as an important natural asset.

The Queensland Government has already fulfilled several significant commitments under the Reef 2050 plan, including the delivery of the Queensland Reef Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef 2050 WQIP).

Launched in July 2018, the Plan outlines how governments, Reef communities, Traditional Owners, industry and partners will work together to improve the quality of water from Reef catchments to the Reef, and highlights their significant achievements to date.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is a key delivery partner of the Reef 2050 WQIP, and our actions are focused on reducing land-based and water-based impacts from agricultural and fishing activities.

This work is informed by agriculture research that advances the department’s and its stakeholder’s knowledge in nutrient management, irrigation and harvesting efficiency, water treatment systems, and AgTech innovations to promote best practice initiatives for on-farm adoption.

The Plan supports producers in their efforts to adapt their on-farm processes through the delivery of key research, development and extension projects, including grazing land management, banana nutrient trials, and gully remediation to reduce sediment loss.

Producers are at the forefront in the adoption of best practice to reduce run-off, and our partnership with farmers aligns with their focus, to increase yield to improve profitability.

Their commitment to meeting this objective while farming in a reef friendly manner is making a continued difference to the enhancement of water quality throughout the reef catchment.

For further information on new techniques and innovations to improve farm practices in reef catchments, visit Farming in the Reef at www.qld.gov.au/FarminginReefCatchments or call DPI on 13 25 23