Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Visual of the overall report results. Graphic credit: The State of Queensland (Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation) 2011–2026
The latest Reef Water Quality Report Card has highlighted continued progress towards improving the health of the Great Barrier Reef, with catchment health improving and progress recorded towards all water quality targets.
The Reef Water Quality Report Card 2023–2025 points to the impact of investment, collaboration and practical changes being made by landholders and industries across reef catchments.
Queensland's sugarcane, banana, grain and grazing industries have contributed to improvements through more sustainable land management practices, while targeted gully and streambank restoration projects have also helped reduce pollutants reaching waterways.
The report demonstrates and records the importance of continued action to protect the reef, with poor water quality capable of damaging seagrass ecosystems and reducing the sunlight needed for coral to grow and thrive.
The Federal Government and Queensland Government have committed more than $2 billion to 2030 to support water quality improvements, working alongside industry, Traditional Owners, scientists and local communities.
The report examines locally tailored approaches to reducing key pollutants, including fine sediments, nutrients and pesticides, which can affect coral and seagrass ecosystems.
The reef remains an important environmental and economic asset, contributing an estimated $9 billion annually to the Australian economy and supporting around 77,000 jobs.
The 2023–2025 report is the final report under the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, which has now been replaced by the Reef 2050 Catchment Water Quality Strategy. The updated reporting framework takes a whole-of-catchment approach, places greater focus on wetland condition and inshore marine health and includes new measures reflecting landholder efforts to improve water quality.
The full report is available at www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/tracking-progress/reef-report-card/2023-25
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