The Reef 2050 WQIP review
The Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef 2050 WQIP) guides how governments, Reef communities, Traditional Owners, industry, and partners work together to improve the quality of water flowing through local waterways and wetlands to the Great Barrier Reef.
A review of the Reef 2050 WQIP is underway. The review provides an opportunity to build on successes and plan for the future, incorporating the knowledge and experience of Reef communities.
The Australian and Queensland governments have committed to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre to finalise the review of the Reef 2050 WQIP by mid-2025, with updated water quality targets to 2030.
In early 2024, a public survey was undertaken to better understand how Reef communities wanted to be involved in the review. This feedback has helped inform the review process and engagement activities.
The process
The Reef 2050 WQIP review will:
- celebrate successes and discuss new opportunities for how Reef catchments will be managed in the future to support a healthy Reef
- better reflect the connection between the catchment, the Reef and the community.
Four phases of the Reef 2050 WQIP review are outlined below and further detailed in the flight path :
- Listening phase: we will listen to Reef communities about successes to date, key learnings, aspirations and concerns. Engagement activities include an open survey, information seminars and mini-workshops.
- Drafting phase: we will work with Reef communities to draft new objectives, implementation principles and priority actions for the next Reef 2050 WQIP. Engagement activities may include surveys, workshops and interviews.
- Reviewing phase: Reef communities will have the opportunity to review a draft Reef 2050 WQIP and provide feedback. Engagement activities may include surveys, seminars and workshops.
- Finalisation: Reef communities will be informed of how their input contributed to a final Reef 2050 WQIP .
Engagement activities will be advertised on the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation’s engagement hub (In the Loop).You can also register to be notified of upcoming events by emailing the officeofthegbr@des.qld.gov.au
In addition to the above engagement process, there are also several components of the Reef 2050 WQIP review being delivered by experts as outlined below.
Updating the Scientific Consensus Statement
The Scientific Consensus Statement on land based impacts to Great Barrier Reef Water quality and ecosystem conditions (SCS) brings together the latest peer reviewed scientific evidence about how activities on land can impact Reef water quality and ecosystem condition. It provides the scientific foundation for updating the Reef 2050 WQIP.
Experts in Great Barrier Reef water quality science and management are reviewing and synthesising the scientific evidence of water quality issues relating to the Reef. They will form a consensus on understanding of the system to inform Reef policy and management based on the best available scientific evidence.
Australia’s Chief Scientist is providing oversight of the process and the Reef science advisory bodies are providing independent advice.
The independent review is being led by C2O consulting and you can find out more on the Scientific Consensus Statement communication and engagement platform.
Reviewing the water quality targets
Water quality targets are developed for the five main pollutants that impact the Reef – sediment (especially fine sediment), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), particulate nitrogen (PN), particulate phosphorus (PP) and pesticides.
The targets are being reviewed based on the best available scientific and technical knowledge. The review will identify the required reductions in pollutant loads to maintain healthy coral and seagrass. The targets will be set at the catchment, regional and whole-of-Reef scales.
The pesticide target is based on the concentrations required to protect 99% of aquatic species at the river mouth. This reflects the fact that impacts from pesticides are more related to concentrations than loads.
Embedding Traditional Owner science, knowledge, aspirations and grassroots approaches
Implementing Traditional Owner science, knowledge, aspirations and grassroots approaches in the next Reef 2050 WQIP is a crucial part of the review. We are working closely with Traditional Owners to ensure the next Reef 2050 WQIP aligns with the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan and builds on the extensive work in the Reef space delivered by Traditional Owners to date.
Developing the spatial management prioritisation
The spatial management prioritisation will help prioritise water quality improvement activities and investment based on risks to the Reef. It will incorporate the latest modelling and monitoring information to assess the water quality risks to key coastal and marine ecosystems at a catchment scale.
This work will be integrated with a social and economic assessment, which allows for priorities to reflect local circumstances. This means that catchments with similar targets may have different priorities for action.
Reviewing the land management practice adoption targets for agriculture
This independent review will propose agricultural industry and regional land management practice adoption targets that more directly align with what is needed to achieve the water quality targets.
It is considering what agricultural practices the targets focus on; achievability, profitability and productivity of land management changes; and other existing practice change instruments.
Targets will be proposed for each industry (e.g. sugarcane, grazing, bananas, horticulture and grains production) and at a finer spatial scale (e.g. regional or catchment).
Reviewing the catchment management (ground cover, riparian and wetland extent) targets
The ground cover and riparian vegetation targets aim to minimise rainfall run-off and streambank erosion and reduce erosion and sediment loss. The wetland extent target aims to protect the values of wetlands and the role they play in ensuring ecosystem health.
These targets will be reviewed based on the latest available science including new, higher resolution satellite data.
Reviewing the target for urban land use
Urban and industrial activities contribute only 7% of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and 1.9% of sediment in run-off flowing to the Reef, but the impact can be locally significant.
This component will focus on urban water management practice levels with regards to development and construction phase activities, stormwater management in established urban areas, and sewage treatment.
Reviewing the human dimensions target
Human dimensions are defined as the social, economic, cultural, institutional and environmental factors that play a role in shaping outcomes associated with water quality and the Great Barrier Reef. These range from aspirations and capacities of landholders, industries and communities to their stewardship practices, as well as broader governance.
A review of the human dimensions target will consider the quality and nature of how communities and land managers are actively engaged in programs and activities to improve water quality.
Collaboration on the Southern Plan of Management
Together with Traditional Owners, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (Reef Authority) is developing a new Plan of Management that will cover the southern section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (from south of Midge Point to the southern boundary of the Marine Park).
The Southern Plan of Management will align with the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, which is Australia’s over-arching strategy for managing threats to the Reef. The Southern Plan of Management will complement the management of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and island national parks and support the implementation of the next Reef 2050 WQIP. Find out more, including how to get involved, or email SouthernPOM@gbrmpa.gov.au
Factsheet
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- Last updated
- 31 May 2024