Far North Queensland is home to some of the most unique and precious environments in the world, from the Great Barrier Reef to tropical rainforests, wetlands, rivers, and productive agricultural landscapes. Protecting these natural assets is not only essential for biodiversity, but also for tourism, regional economies, and the long-term liveability of our communities.
Across the region, a range of important environmental projects are underway that reflect a strong commitment to conservation, innovation, and practical, on-ground action.
Protecting Marine Life and the Great Barrier Reef
A key focus of environmental investment in FNQ is the protection of marine ecosystems, particularly the Great Barrier Reef.
Initiatives such as the Green Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centre play an important role in caring for and rehabilitating injured and endangered sea turtles, supporting long-term marine conservation efforts.
In addition, reef protection programs are supporting innovation and targeted interventions to improve coral health, strengthen resilience, and help safeguard the Reef for future generations.
Expanding Queensland’s Protected Areas
Queensland continues to expand its protected estate to safeguard important ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
- In June 2025, around 9,000 hectares were added to Queensland’s national parks and nature refuges
- This included approximately 6,000 hectares in the Wet Tropics, strengthening protection of one of the most biologically rich rainforest regions in the world
- A further major expansion saw the creation of Vergemont Station, a new 300,000-hectare national park in Western Queensland, significantly increasing protected land across the state
These expansions support biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage protection, and long-term ecosystem resilience.
Strengthening Park Management and Ranger Capacity
Recent investments have also focused on improving the management of Queensland’s protected areas.
Media reports from March 2026 confirm funding for a More Rangers Program, aimed at:
- Strengthening fire management across national parks
- Managing increasing visitor numbers
- Supporting conservation, compliance, and land protection activities
- Improving on-ground environmental outcomes across the estate
This ensures protected areas are actively managed and resilient in the face of growing environmental pressures.
Fighting Invasive Species and Protecting Biodiversity
Environmental protection in FNQ also means tackling invasive species that threaten native ecosystems.
Programs targeting pests such as yellow crazy ants are helping reduce their impact on native wildlife, vegetation, and biodiversity. These efforts are critical to maintaining ecological balance across sensitive environments.
Innovation in Environmental Management
FNQ is also leading in innovative environmental monitoring and safety initiatives, including world-first technology such as the crocodile detection buoy in Cairns. This system supports both wildlife management and community safety by improving real-time monitoring of crocodile activity in waterways.
Water Quality – Protecting the Reef from the Ground Up
Queensland also continues to invest heavily in water quality improvement programs to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
These programs focus on:
- Reducing sediment, nutrient and pesticide runoff
- Improving farm and land management practices
- Restoring wetlands and waterways
- Supporting catchment-wide environmental improvements
With almost $300 million invested over five years, this is one of the most significant environmental programs in the state.
Coral Reefs to Cattle Country: New Investment in FNQ’s Environment
A further almost $4 million investment through the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program is supporting practical, on-ground environmental work across the region.
This funding is being delivered through:
- Gulf Savannah Natural Resource Management (NRM)
- NRM Regions Queensland
Together, these organisations are delivering projects that restore native vegetation, improve wetlands, and strengthen threatened species habitat across Far North Queensland.
Gulf Savannah NRM – Restoring Landscapes
Gulf Savannah NRM is delivering:
- A $1.6 million ranger program supporting restoration across more than 400 hectares in the Northern Gulf
- A $1.39 million wetlands project improving 30 hectares of wetland habitat and biodiversity outcomes
- Practical support for graziers through improved land and farm dam management
These projects strengthen both environmental outcomes and sustainable agricultural practices.
NRM Regions Queensland – Protecting Reef Systems
NRM Regions Queensland is delivering close to $1 million in reef protection work, focusing on:
- Reducing Crown of Thorns Starfish populations
- Strengthening coral resilience
- Protecting approximately 1,750 hectares of marine habitat in the Torres Strait (Erub and Mer)
This work is critical to maintaining the health of northern reef systems and preventing further coral decline.
Through continued investment, collaboration, and innovation, the region is strengthening its ability to protect coral reefs, restore landscapes, and support sustainable industries, ensuring FNQ remains one of the most environmentally significant regions in the world for generations to come.
