The Annual Report 2005-2006 details the Reef Plan's implementation in the period July 2005 to June 2006 and provides a report on the condition and trend of water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef.
The Annual Report 2005-2006 is presented in three parts:
- A Main Report (pdf 3.0 MB) which provides an overview of implementation progress and an update on land condition and water quality
- Appendix 1 (pdf 1.25 MB) - Case studies of on-ground successes in monitoring and modelling land condition and water quality
- A detailed update on the highlights, overall progress and key strategic issues in relation to:
Highlights
- All levels of government, industry and land managers are continuing to work together to ensure water quality improves and the Reef remains healthy. In particular, 2005 – 2006 saw an increasing focus on building productive partnerships to harness resources and provide support to regional natural resource management bodies (regional bodies) to identify and implement on-ground action.
- An integration framework to guide the collection of information on water quality was developed during 2005 – 2006. This uses spatial and process linkages between catchment management, water quality and the health of the Reef to guide setting targets, monitoring changes and reporting outcomes.
- During 2005 – 2006 Reef Plan participants agreed to form a Reef Water Quality Partnership (Partnership) to coordinate and support water quality target-setting, monitoring and reporting that links management actions in the Reef catchments to the health of the Reef.
- Industry, regional natural resource management bodies and government continued to develop and promote best management practice through education and extension services, incentive schemes and promotion of conservation agreements and covenants. It is clear a major challenge is monitoring the uptake of best management practice. The coming year (2006 – 2007) will see a strong commitment by Reef Plan participants to address this issue.
- The Australian and Queensland Governments have increased land placed under conservation agreements, implemented successful management strategies on public land, mapped and classified Queensland’s wetlands to support the rehabilitation and conservation of wetlands and riparian zones, monitored water quality and ecosystem changes in the marine environment and continued to support sustainable agricultural practices among land managers in the Reef catchment through actions such as the Reef Extension Initiative.
- Other highlights include the continuing roll out of industry-led farm management systems, implementation of State-wide Investment Projects which support a range of Reef Plan actions and practical action by regional bodies to improve land management and reduce off-farm water quality impacts.
There are 65 actions under Reef Plan, the majority of which are under way or completed. A detailed outline of the implementation progress can be found at Appendix 2.
The Reef Plan is entering its fourth year of implementation and the Australian and Queensland Governments will continue their commitment to the Plan, helping to protect one of the world’s greatest natural assets the Great Barrier Reef.
Together, we can protect the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.
Last reviewed 26 April 2007
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