About Reef Plan

The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan) (PDF, 2.39 MB) is a collaborative program of coordinated projects and partnerships designed to improve the quality of water in the Great Barrier Reef though improved land management in reef catchments.

The plan is a joint Australian and Queensland Government initiative that specifically focuses on non-point-source pollution. This is where irrigation or rainfall carries pollutants such as sediments, nutrients and pesticides into waterways and the reef lagoon.

Reef Plan sets ambitious but achievable targets for water quality and land management improvement, and identifies actions to improve the quality of water entering the reef. Initially established in 2003, the plan was updated in 2009. It details specific actions and deliverables to be completed by 2013 when Reef Plan will be reviewed. Find out more about the history of Reef Plan.

Goals

• To halt and reverse the decline in water quality entering the reef by 2013.
• To ensure that by 2020 the quality of water entering the reef from adjacent catchments has no detrimental impact on the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef.

Water quality targets

• By 2013, there will be a minimum 50 per cent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loads at the end-of-catchments.
• By 2013, there will be a minimum of 50 per cent reduction in pesticides at the end-of-catchments.
• By 2013, there will be a minimum of 50 per cent late dry season groundcover on dry tropical grazing land.
• By 2020, there will be a minimum 20 per cent reduction in sediment load at the end-of-catchments.

Land management targets

• By 2013, 80 per cent of landholders in agricultural enterprises (sugarcane, horticulture, dairy, cotton and grains) will have adopted improved soil, nutrient and chemical management practices.
• By 2013, 50 per cent of landholders in the grazing sector will have adopted improved pasture and riparian management practices.
• By 2013, there will have been no net loss or degradation of natural wetlands.
• By 2013, the condition and extent of riparian areas will have improved.

Actions

Reef Plan has identified and prioritised 11 actions critical to ensuring the success of Reef Plan.  These actions are categorised as:

• Focusing the activity
• Responding to the challenge
• Measuring success.

Find out more about Reef Plan actions.