Statutory review of the Reef protection regulations
A statutory review of the Reef protection regulations commenced in February 2023 and was completed in February 2024. The review was required under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act).
The Statutory review of the Reef protection regulations report can be found on the Queensland Parliament website.
Purpose and scope
The purpose of the review was to assess the extent to which the Reef protection regulations have been effective in reducing pollutant loads (specifically dissolved inorganic nitrogen and sediment suspended in the water).
To do this, the review looked at whether practices had improved and explored if there were any challenges with implementation.
The review did not include broader matters such as water quality targets or water quality science. These issues were outside the scope set under the EP Act and are being considered as part of the review of the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.
Approach
To inform the review, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (department) used a range of data from:
- the Reef Compliance Program
- producer engagement in practice change projects and industry-led Best Management Practice programs
- social research and monitoring projects relating to motivations and engagement with the Reef protection regulations
- results of independent stakeholder consultation
- feedback received by the department since 2019.
The independent consultation involved interviews with peak agricultural, conservation and regional natural resource management organisations, partners, and producers to learn more about the regulated community’s experiences with implementing the regulations.
Review results
The review did not recommend any changes to the Reef protection regulations, but did find that they:
- have resulted in practice change
- are an influential part of a suite of practice change interventions being implemented to generally address poor Reef water quality (including both agricultural and industrial sources of sediment and nutrient loads)
- are complemented by targeted investment and delivery of voluntary practice change programs and projects and this enhances progress.
The review identified opportunities to improve engagement with the regulated community and to continue to assist them to comply with and go beyond the regulated standards.
The opportunities will be considered as part of the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program as the Queensland Government continues to work alongside and support the State’s agriculture and industrial sectors as we all play our part in improving Reef water quality.
For further information regarding the review, please contact officeofthegbr@des.qld.gov.au