Plibersek targets reef with $200 million restoration funding
Next week’s federal Budget would include $204 million for the Great Barrier Reef, the first payment of a promised $1.2 billion by the Albanese Government to protect, manage and restore the reef.
$200 million would be spent from the Budget on protecting the reef
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said the funds would be used to address critical gaps in the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and speed-up reef protection activities.
Specifically, the funds would be used to restore and remediate gully and stream banks to reduce sediment run-off into the reef and improve water quality.
It would support targeted blue carbon ecosystem restoration projects.
“We’re investing in replanting seagrass meadows so our threatened species have somewhere to breed and to feed,” Plibersek told the ABC.
“We’re working with traditional owners in particular to tackle crown of thorns starfish.
“We’re investing more in the science. That means we’re even able to re-seed and replant parts of our reef with new corals. And, of course, we’re working with commercial fishers to keep non-target species out of their nets. We need to protect those dugongs, the turtles and other non-target species so that they’re not caught up in commercial fishing activities.
“Mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses are critical in protecting the reef from run off, but also provide important breeding and feeding habitats for marine life,” Plibersek said.
Another $20 million was dedicated to assist corals to evolve more quickly and adapt to their changing environment, as well as supporting natural restoration of damaged and degraded reefs.
“New funding will deliver stronger fisheries management and protect threatened species on the reef by working with commercial fishers to reduce by-catch through modifying and upgrading fishing equipment,” the Minister said.
The funding was welcomed by the Australian Conservation Foundation said the environmental budget had been slashed by 40 per cent in the past decade and the funds for the reef were welcomed.
But ACF chief executive Kelly O’Shanassy said it would make no sense if the Budget also included support for fossil fuels.
“We urge the Albanese Government not to cancel out the funding for reef restoration by continuing the Morrison Government’s support for new gas projects,” she said.
