Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy
Overview
The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy: a Strategy to manage wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments (Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy) is a joint commitment between the Australian and Queensland Governments, providing direction for wetland science, planning, coordination and management in the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments.
The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy is part of the delivery framework for the Reef 2050 Long–Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan), which provides the overarching direction to improve the health of the Great Barrier Reef.
The development of an updated Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy, released in 2024, incorporate:
- the outcomes of the independent evaluation of the of the 2016-2021 Strategy
- extensive consultation with Queensland Government agencies, Australian Government agencies (DCCEEW, Reef Authority), GBR Wetlands Network, local governments, conservation organisations, Queensland Ports Association, agricultural and water supply representatives and peak bodies, and Traditional Owner representatives.
The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy identifies five broad themes with goals, objectives and activities to guide actions that help achieve its vision and outcomes. vision and outcomes:
- Theme 1: Improving wetlands information for decision-making and action
- Theme 2: Wetland planning
- Theme 3: On-ground activities to protect, manage, rehabilitate and restore wetlands
- Theme 4: Engagement, education, communication and capacity building
- Theme 5: Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement
Targets
The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy will be used to inform the development and implementation of:
- operational and land use plans and programs
- strategic planning documents
- on-ground works and activities
- research programs and projects
- monitoring frameworks.
Outcomes
The Reef 2050 Wetlands Strategy contributes to the following outcomes.
- Wetlands that connect to the reef lagoon are healthy, functioning ecosystems due to proactive and shared management, contributing to healthy landscapes, a sustainable economy and a healthy reef.
- A community of well-connected landowners and managers across all reef catchments work consistently towards collective goals to protect, manage and improve wetlands’ health for the many intrinsic values and ecosystems they provide.
- Integrated and available scientific, economic and cultural information inform the management.
- Traditional Owner knowledge informs management programs and on-ground activities, and cultural values are celebrated and managed respectfully.
- Information and knowledge inform the development of management tools and programs, policies, legislation and investment decisions to ensure the wise use of resources and value for money.
- The community understands the benefits of wetlands and supports wetland conservation and management.
- Improvements are made to the health of reef catchments and wetlands and the quality of water entering the reef.