As locals, we know the Great Barrier Reef isn’t just a national treasure—it’s part of who we are. It supports our economy, sustains our ecosystems, and holds deep cultural significance for First Nations communities and all who call Far North Queensland home.
That’s why I’m proud to share a major new step forward in protecting our Reef: the launch of the $24 million Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund.
This groundbreaking initiative—jointly funded by the Queensland and Commonwealth Governments—will drive cutting-edge technologies and management strategies to tackle water pollution in urban areas that flow into our precious Reef.
Urban areas might only cover less than 1% of the Reef catchment, but their impact on water quality is still significant. Runoff from stormwater, industrial land use, and wastewater treatment can all contribute harmful pollutants like fine sediment and dissolved nutrients into the marine environment—damaging coral reefs and seagrass beds and affecting marine life that rely on these habitats.
This fund is about changing that.
The Urban Technology and Innovation Fund will:
- Support development and deployment of new technologies to treat stormwater, industrial runoff, and wastewater more effectively
- Back projects that trial or adapt proven technologies for the unique conditions of the Reef catchment
- Drive innovation across communities, local governments, and industry to ensure we’re all playing our part in protecting the Reef
The fund will be managed by the Queensland Government’s Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, and includes $12 million from the Commonwealth and $12 million from the Queensland Government, with additional co-investment from project partners.
As your representative for Barron River, I welcome this initiative because I know how much our community values the Reef—and how urgent the challenge is. This investment builds on our broader efforts under the $192 million Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef package and the $30 million Reefwise Urban Program, both designed to improve water quality and reduce pollution in priority catchments like ours.
We also know that solutions need to be local and forward-thinking. That’s why I’m excited that this fund will prioritise new and scalable approaches—whether it’s advanced filtration technologies, natural treatment systems, or better erosion control measures. It’s about supporting smart, science-led innovation that delivers real, measurable outcomes for Reef health.
A call for project proposals is expected in the new financial year, and I encourage local councils, innovators, and environmental organisations in our region to prepare to get involved. We have the talent and the passion here in Far North Queensland—and now we have a new opportunity to lead the way.
Protecting the Reef is not someone else’s job. It’s a shared responsibility, and this new fund is a clear sign that governments at all levels are stepping up. I’ll keep working to ensure our region remains front and centre in these efforts—because there’s no Far North Queensland without the Reef.
For more information about the fund and how to get involved, visit:
👉 https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/coasts-waterways/reef/reef-program/urban-technology-innovation-fund
Let’s innovate, invest, and protect the Reef—for today, and for generations to come.
