Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Program - Pilot Program 2005-2007 - Final Report
Prepared for the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Introduction
The Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Programme (GBRCWPP) was announced by the Australian Government in 2003 with the aim to develop and implement measures for the long term conservation and management of priority wetlands in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment. The $8 million programme, to be managed by the Department of Environment and Heritage (now the Department of Environment and Water Resources DEW), would assist in achieving the goal of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan1 over 5 years.
The GBRCWPP is part of the Queensland Wetlands Programme, which is jointly funded by both Australian and Queensland Governments.
In July 2004 a $2 million Pilot Programme was announced to fast track the delivery of tangible outcomes that protect priority wetlands in the Reef catchment area. Tenders were called for a consultant to deliver the programme and in early 2005 a contract was awarded to a consortium comprising Conservation Volunteers Australia, WetlandCare Australia, Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research at James Cook University, Econcern, and CSIRO. The consortium’s task was to develop and implement projects by direct negotiation with stakeholders. There was no public call for applications and projects were assessed by an Independent Reference Group (IRG) appointed by the Minister. The IRG comprised agency, community and industry representatives (Appendix 1). The 2-year programme was due for completion in February 07 but an extension was granted until 30 June 07, mainly due to delays in the assessment and approval of proposals.
Note:
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, Heritage and the Arts or the Minister for Climate Change and Water