Regions for the Reef program

The Regions for the Reef program supports integrated, place-based water quality projects across Cape York, the Wet Tropics, Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Burnett Mary regions.

At least $56 million is available for the program funded through the Queensland Reef and Catchment Water Quality Program.

Regions for the Reef provides funding for locally designed and led on-ground projects that address local water quality priorities and provide broader environmental, economic and social benefits at a basin or sub-catchment scale.

Specifically, projects will:

• focus on a basin/sub-catchment within a Reef region
• be locally designed and led
• provide tangible, measurable water quality benefits
• apply a multi-sector approach and include a range of activities
• leverage co-investment and where possible, link with local complementary initiatives
• deliver additional environmental, economic and social benefits.

View examples of current Reef place-based projects.

How does the program work?

The new Regions for the Reef program is being delivered in two stages.

Idea stage

Expressions of interest are currently being called for organisations to facilitate local regional collaboration and the delivery of regional workshops to explore and develop project ideas.

Funding is available to support host organisations and workshop delivery.

A Request for Quote has been issued on the government procurement portal VendorPanel (reference VP530483) which will close at 5pm on Thursday, 19 November 2026. Please note you will need to register to submit an EOI.

It’s anticipated that the Idea Stage will finish in early 2027.

Implementation stage

In late 2026, a grant call will be released to support projects across each of the Reef regions.

Future grant applicants are strongly encouraged to read the detailed guidelines for full criteria and eligibility requirements which will be released shortly.

It’s anticipated that successful projects will commence on-ground work in mid 2027.