Great Barrier Reef $1 billion investment to sustain 64,000 Queensland jobs

The Great Barrier Reef will receive a whopping $1 billion investment expected to benefit Queenslanders through 64,000 jobs in the next nine years.

The jewel in Queensland’s crown will receive a record polish in the next nine years as an extra $1 billion is injected into the protecting Great Barrier Reef.

The mammoth funding is expected to support an extra 64,000 Queensland jobs in the reef economy and contribute to the $2 billion already invested as part of the Reef 2050 Plan.

Marine biologist Johnny Gaskell made it his mission this year to dive as many reef sites as possible along the length of the Great Barrier Reef. He went to 100 sites from Lady Elliot island in the south to Raine Island, off the tip of Cape York in the north.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding would back the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities which were “the heart of the reef economy”.

Almost $580 million will be designated for water quality investments which would be used to work with land managers target nutrient and pesticide run-off, remediate erosion improve land conditions.

“Funding will support scientists, farmers and traditional owners, backing in very latest marine science while building resilience and reducing threats from pollution in our oceans and predators such as the Crown of Thorns starfish,” he said.

Almost $580 million will be designated for water quality investments which would be used to work with land managers target nutrient and pesticide run-off, remediate erosion improve land conditions.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the funding would back the health of the reef and the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities which were “the heart of the reef economy”.

More than $250 million will be used to support the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in reef management and conservation, particularly targeting threats from the Crown of Thorns Starfish and illegal fishing.

Research and deployment of reef resilience science and adaptation will receive $92 million of the funding, with traditional owner and community-led projects to get almost $75 million.

More than $250 million will be used to support the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in reef management and conservation, particularly targeting threats from the Crown of Thorns Starfish and illegal fishing. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the investment would be a merge between the best of science working with local communities, industries and traditional owners.

Whitsundays marine biologist Johnny Gaskell made it his mission this year to dive as many reef sites as possible along the length of the Great Barrier Reef.

“From breakthrough science in coral seeding and restoration, to improved water quality, the latest on water management and compliance systems, as well as the protection of native species, we are working across every aspect of the reef,” Ms Ley said.

“Our farmers, tourism operators, and fishers are our reef champions and we are supporting them through practical water and land based strategies that will contribute significantly to the health of the reef.”