Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan

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2015
Australian Government and Queensland Government
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This plan was updated in 2018. The new plan is available at: Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan

About the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan

The Reef 2050 Plan responds to the World Heritage Committee’s recommendation that Australia develop a long-term plan for sustainable development to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef.

The Plan is informed by both the Outlook Report 2014 and the comprehensive two-year strategic assessment of the region — the most complex and comprehensive analysis of environmental management arrangements ever undertaken in Australia.

With input from scientists, communities, Traditional Owners, industry and non-government organisations, a key principle of the Plan is developing Reef resilience in the face of a variable and changing climate. By improving water quality, maintaining biodiversity and ensuring port development and shipping have minimal impact on the Reef, we are targeting activities over which we have most control.

The Plan has seven overarching themes reflecting the priorities for action — ecosystem health, biodiversity, heritage, water quality, community benefits, economic benefits and governance.

Governance and implementing the Plan

The Australian Government, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government will lead implementation of the Reef 2050 Plan to protect the Outstanding Universal Value of the Reef. The Plan builds upon, and does not replace, the existing statutory and management arrangements for the World Heritage Area.

An implementation strategy has been developed to outline how the Australian and Queensland governments will implement the Plan in 2015. It identifies lead agencies, timeframes, reporting and governance arrangements for the Reef 2050 Plan. The implementation strategy is designed to be a living document, which will be updated regularly with advice from industry, science bodies, experts and the community.

Oversight of the Plan’s implementation will continue through the Great Barrier Reef Ministerial Forum, comprised of ministers from both the Australian and Queensland governments. An annual report on progress will be publicly available. The Reef 2050 Plan will be a schedule to the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement signed by the Prime Minister of Australia and the Queensland Premier.

The Plan sets out a structure to oversee its implementation and engage with industry, science bodies and the community.

Five yearly revisions to the Plan, the first due in 2020, will be informed by the Outlook Report 2019. Each review cycle will be informed by improved scientific understanding and the incorporation of diverse knowledge systems and community views. It is anticipated that targets, actions and priorities within the Plan could change following the review process.

Further information