How we will save the Great Barrier Reef and what it means for jobs

Scott Morrison has vowed to take the Great Barrier Reef to the next level with a major $1 billion investment that is set to be the single-largest injection of funds in the natural wonder’s history.

A billion-dollar Great Barrier Reef rescue will take place, in what is being dubbed the single-largest investment in the natural wonder’s history.

The massive cash injection will include doubling efforts to cull pests, help turtles adapt, invest in groundbreaking science like heat-resistant coral and work with farmers and first nations people to clean up the water and keep it that way.

It is part of an audacious bid to protect global icon worth $6 billion a year to the nation and protect the 64,000 jobs that go with it, as the government seeks to stave off any moves to have the reef listed as “in-danger” due to climate change after it received a stay of execution last year.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will make the announcement in Cairns on Friday, revealing an additional $1 billion over nine years will be added to the already $2 billion Reef 2050 plan.

Experimental Scientist with the Australian Institute of Marine Science with a Crown of Thorns starfish on the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

It will split into four key streams – water quality, reef management, research and traditional owner led projects.

Almost $580 million will go towards improving the water quality by increasing efforts in working with farmers in the reef catchment to remediate erosion and prevent harmful nutrient and pesticide run-off.

It is one of the key areas required by the World Heritage Committee to prevent an in-danger listing, with Australia required to send a progress report next month ahead of the next review.

Cash to cull crown-of-thorns starfish and prevent illegal fishing will be doubled with another $250 million to expand it to cover 500 reefs, more than the current 253.

There will be $92 million for research programs to improve the reef’s resilience, to include coral seeding, reef stabilisation, the development of heat-resistant coral and climate adaptation work with turtles.

Another $74.4 million will be set aside for traditional owner and community-led projects including species protection and habitat restoration.

Mr Morrison said the investment was backing the economic future of tourism operators, hospitality providers and Queensland communities that were dependent on the reef.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will announce a $1 billion investment in the Great Barrier Reef on Friday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“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.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley, who successfully led the government’s efforts to prevent the “in-danger” listing last year, said the investment was informed by science and worked across every aspect of the reef.

“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,” she said.

The existing $2 billion for the Reef 2050 plan has been built up over time, with the previous biggest reef investment being the $444 million announced by the Turnbull Government for the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

As well as shoring up support in the seat of Leichhardt, held by LNP veteran Warren Entsch, it will also play will in green-fringed inner-city seats like Brisbane and Ryan.

Opposition leader Anthony Albanese earlier this month made a $163 million election commitment to add to the Reef 2050 program, including scaling up “shovel-ready” work for reef resilience and land restoration projects in reef catchments.

Originally published as How we will save the Great Barrier Reef and what it means for jobs