The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland

Red reef crab. Photo: GBRMPA.

Protecting the Reef

The Australian and Queensland governments have a cooperative and integrated approach to managing the Great Barrier Reef.

Intergovernmental Agreement

In 2009 the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement was signed by both governments formalising this approach to manage marine and land environments within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

More on the Intergovernmental Agreement

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is the Australian Government agency responsible for overall management, and the Queensland Government, particularly the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency, provides day-to-day management of the marine park for the Authority.

More on managing and protecting the Reef

Strategic Assessment

The Australian Government, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, and the Queensland Government, have formally agreed to undertake a comprehensive strategic assessment of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and adjacent coastal zone.

Strategic assessments enable a 'big-picture' approach to environment and heritage protection that provides certainty in the long term, by determining areas where no development will be allowed as well as those areas where sustainable development can go, the type of development that will be allowed and the conditions under which such development may proceed.