The Albanese Labor Government is today announcing $80 million for two new programs to improve the quality of water flowing onto the Great Barrier Reef.
The $50 million Reefwise Wetlands Program and $30 million Reefwise Urban Program will give another big boost to improving the health of the Reef while creating good regional jobs on land.
The Reefwise Wetlands program will fund grants of up to $19.75 million for projects that rehabilitate, restore and modify large scale Reef wetland and riparian systems. Projects could include on-ground rehabilitation and revegetation activities, community restoration initiatives that involve First Nations people, and measuring and monitoring ecosystem improvements.
The Reefwise Urban Program will fund activities that reduce water pollution from urban and industrial sources within priority Reef catchments. The program will deliver projects to reduce water pollution from sources such as stormwater runoff and wastewater discharges, as well as update best practice urban water management.
These new programs are in addition to the $30 million Reefwise Farming Program announced in November, which will support on-farm activities that reduce nutrient pollution on agricultural land within the Reef regions.
This funding is part of the Albanese Government's record $1.2 billion investment to protect and restore the Reef.
