Reef Trust Discussion Paper
Introduction
The Reef Trust will be a key mechanism for delivering on the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan and will focus on
improving coastal habitat, water quality and enhancing species protection.
The Reef Trust will commence operation in 2014–15. There will be a strong focus on evaluating and adaptively managing the
implementation of the Reef Trust to ensure it will contribute to the long-term sustainable management of the reef.
The Reef Trust will be jointly coordinated between the Australian Government Department of the Environment and Queensland
Government Department of Environment and Heritage Protection with advice from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
(GBRMPA), the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and other agencies. The Trust will complement investments
made through other government initiatives such as the Green Army and the National Landcare Programme.
This Discussion Paper is designed to seek community input to inform key design features and the future direction of the
investment for the long-term sustainable management of the reef. This paper identifies the policy context and parameters for the
Reef Trust and seeks your thoughts and suggestions on a number of issues.
Have your say
The Australian Government is giving consideration to design and implementation options to inform the establishment of the Reef
Trust.
To ensure the Reef Trust adopts an effective, strategic and transparent approach and that Government investment in the
management of the reef continues to be delivered in partnership with the community and industry, we have identified the
following key design features on which we welcome your thoughts and suggestions:
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investment approach and principles
investment priorities and the process for prioritisation
delivery mechanisms
monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement
stakeholder engagement and future consultation.
You are invited to comment on the Reef Trust discussion themes identified in this paper. All comments will be taken into
consideration and inform further development of the Reef Trust. Please email comments to reef2050@environment.gov.au by 21
May 2014.
Reef 2050 Plan
The Government’s election commitment to develop a Reef 2050 Plan is a key component of the clean water pillar, part of the
Australian Government’s commitment to a healthier environment. The Reef 2050 Plan will be a strategic, long-term plan for the
sustainability of the Great Barrier Reef, addressing key threats such as nutrient run-off and crown-of-thorns starfish, and species
protection, particularly turtles and dugongs. The Reef 2050 Plan will include the establishment of a Reef Trust to deliver funding
to address key threats to the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Trust
Governance arrangements will be developed to enable efficient and transparent management of Trust funds. This will include
mechanisms for harnessing a range of expertise, arrangements to ensure transparency and accountability, legal and financial
practices, and supporting institutions for the ongoing management of the Trust and administrative and reporting functions.
Design
In determining the best design for the Reef Trust, consideration will be given to simple processes, value for money and
arrangements that do not create unintended consequences for the market. The following design principles are proposed:
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strategic focus on the long-term improvement of coastal habitats and water quality in the reef catchments
an opportunity for long-term investment in the sustainability of the reef
collaborative delivery of coastal and water quality management based on the best available science
focus on maintaining and lifting the productivity of farmers and the provision of public benefit through improving urban
amenity and enhancing ecological processes
building on the existing efforts of the Australian and Queensland Governments, farmers, local environment groups, councils,
regional natural resource management groups, Landcare groups and the community.
Investment approach
The Reef Trust will be a major investment in the long-term sustainability of the Reef, carried out in an effective, strategic and
transparent manner. The Australian Government has committed an initial $40 million contribution to the Reef Trust. It is anticipated
that investment in Reef Trust priorities and specific commitments will commence from July 2014.
In addition to the initial contribution from the Australian Government, funding may also be derived from the pooling of offset
funds that target specific residual significant impacts on the Great Barrier Reef from development activities, as required under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). There is also potential for future funding
through private investments and philanthropic contributions. Through this approach funding for the protection of the reef will be
delivered in a coordinated manner to enhance coastal and water quality management.
As articulated in the Government’s election commitment, the Reef Trust will include the following specific commitments:
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long-term improvement in water quality and coastal habitats in the reef catchments
support for the control of crown-of-thorns starfish
Dugong and Turtle Protection Plan to provide greater protection of marine turtles and dugongs, including support for:
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marine debris cleanup activities
the Cairns and Fitzroy Island Turtle Rehabilitation Centres
specialised Indigenous ranger programme for marine conservation and for strengthened enforcement and compliance
Australian Crime Commission investigation into the practice of illegal killing, poaching and transportation of turtle and
dugong meat.
Additional to the committed investments, the Reef Trust will invest in projects to improve coastal habitat and water quality along
the reef and will deliver offsets required under environmental approvals to address impacts associated with permitted activities.
The Reef Trust investment will be guided by a strategic approach that prioritises investment to meet the Reef Trust’s overarching
objectives and builds on existing funding commitments. The strategic approach will be based on the latest peer-reviewed scientific
information and will be informed by the outcomes of the strategic assessments and Great Barrier Reef Outlook Report 2014,
existing planning systems and policies such as the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013, outcomes of previous and ongoing
investments, 2013 Scientific Consensus Statement, Water Quality Improvement Plans and regional natural resource management
plans.
Funding will need to be coordinated and integrated with other investments to avoid duplication, help leverage support and
partnerships, and ensure strategic investment. Investments will also need to be flexible and regularly reviewed to encourage
adaptive management based on learnings and the latest emerging information.
It is proposed that investment funds would be disbursed in a phased approach. The first phase (to be delivered in 2014–15) would
provide investment in the above mentioned specific commitments and in additional priority actions that would deliver a
guaranteed net benefit outcome and address key threats. For the subsequent phases of investment, it is proposed that the Trust
utilise a more sophisticated approach for identifying and ranking potential investment opportunities to identify projects with
greatest benefit for least cost. All investment will aim to find a balance between short and long term investments and between
prescribed potential projects and allowing for greater innovation to achieve Reef Trust outcomes.
Investment principles
It is proposed that Reef Trust investments adhere to the following principles:
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additionality—investments should build on existing efforts, not duplicate or replace them
on-ground—investments through the Reef Trust would primarily be targeted to on-ground activity
alignment—the investment portfolio should align with and consider concurrent activities and relevant policies
cost effectiveness—Reef Trust should invest in cost-effective activities and consider a range of disbursement mechanisms
including market-based instruments like competitive tender processes
cognisant of available funds—investment priorities should practically consider the likely size of available funds in the Reef
Trust
evidence based and scientifically defensible—identification of priority projects should be aligned with best available
scientific and expert knowledge and guided by outcomes of existing research and prioritisation exercises (e.g. high risks
identified through the scientific consensus statement)
targeted investments arising from offsets—funded activities must target the relevant ecosystem or attribute of the reef that is
being impacted and be of sufficient magnitude to improve or maintain the integrity of the reef
collaboration—identification and development of priority projects should be guided by effective stakeholder input
strategic on-ground change—making the most of consolidated/pooled funds and collaborative efforts with a strong on-ground
delivery focus and minimal administrative overheads
action research—priority research and/or extension projects to be implemented with sound scientific methodology and
monitoring and evaluation to facilitate adaptive management and
effective delivery—investment to consider how best we can work with a range of stakeholders to deliver projects including
the community, volunteers, Landcare, regional natural resource management groups, Indigenous groups and local
government.
Investment priorities and process for prioritisation
Priority areas for investment will be determined to identify a clear pathway to achieving the objectives of the Reef Trust. Priorities
have already been drawn from the Australian Government’s election commitment and will address outcomes and targets that are
being identified through the development of the Reef 2050 Plan. Further priority areas which may be considered include:
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improving the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef—addressing high risk management issues and areas
improving coastal and marine habitats—maintaining and improving ecosystem services, including through preserving
existing habitat and ensuring functional connectivity of these habitats, for productivity and conservation purposes
enhancing species protection—protecting matters of national environment significance impacted by pressures such as fishing,
development, marine debris, vessel strike
environmental offset activities—the delivery of offsets and types of activities funded will be determined consistent with the
requirements of the EPBC Act Environmental Offsets Policy. Offset amounts to be provided to the Trust will be determined
through the assessment process and in consultation with proponents.
There will be opportunity to further refine the investment priorities through adaptive management processes over time (as
informed by monitoring and improved knowledge from research and development).
A process for project prioritisation will be established and rely heavily on expert advice and the Reef Trust investment principles.
Advice will be drawn from GBRMPA, AIMS, industry bodies, non-government organisations and research institutions.
Regular review of the priorities for the Reef Trust, the activities proposed, including locations and the prioritisation process, the
process of delivery and review of the project proposals will be imperative for the ongoing success of the Reef Trust.
Existing advisory bodies will be used where possible to provide input into specific aspects of Reef Trust investments.
Delivery mechanisms
Reef Trust projects will be delivered through a range of mechanisms, dependant on the specific outcome sought, allowing for
collaboration, innovation and cost-effectiveness. Through the Reef Trust there is potential to fund activities through partnerships,
co-investments, grants, specialised procurement, reverse auctions and direct payments. The use of market based instruments have
the potential to maximise outcomes for the reef at least cost. The funding approach chosen will be dependent on the intended
outcomes from the particular project. There may be opportunities to support projects at a range of scales, including small, medium
and larger, strategic scales.
The Australian Government is committed to simplifying processes for participants. The delivery model of the Reef Trust will
address intersects between various government funding streams and simplify processes for applicants and delivery partners,
deliver funding in a cost-effective manner and provide outcomes that improve coastal habitat, water quality and species
protection.
Adaptive management
The Australian and Queensland Governments will be responsible for undertaking monitoring and evaluation of projects, with
support from the GBRMPA and other key agencies. The monitoring and reporting of outcomes will be used to inform other
investments. Monitoring and reporting will be aligned with other plans and programmes being delivered in the Great Barrier Reef
and be consistent with the Integrated Monitoring and Reporting programme being established under the Reef 2050 Plan.
Stakeholder engagement and consultation
Consultation is being undertaken by the Australian and Queensland Governments to provide awareness of Reef Trust activities
and priorities. This paper provides an opportunity to consider the issues associated with the Reef Trust and provide input into the
design and delivery of the Trust.
© Commonwealth of Australia, 2014.
This fact sheet is licensed by Commonwealth of Australia under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Australian Government
or the Minister for the Environment.