The Australian Government is investing up to AUD 80 million in two new Reefwise Programs aimed at enhancing the quality of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.
The initiatives—an AUD 50 million Reefwise Wetlands Grants Program and an AUD 30 million Reefwise Urban Program—are designed to:
- Maximize water quality outcomes
- Enhance ecosystem services
- Support co-benefits to accelerate actions towards Reef 2050 targets
Reefwise Wetlands Grants Program
Grant applications are now open for projects that rehabilitate, restore, and modify large-scale Reef wetland and riparian systems to improve water quality.
Reefwise Urban Program
This program will fund activities to reduce water pollution from urban sources in priority Reef catchments, including stormwater runoff and wastewater discharges. Funding applications for this program are not yet open.
These programs complement the AUD 30 million Reefwise Farming Program, announced in August 2024, as part of the broader AUD 192 million Clearer Water for a Healthy Reef funding package.
This initiative is a key component of the Australian Government’s record AUD 1.2 billion investment to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.