Reef Assist program
The $34 million Reef Assist program (the program) delivers environmental projects and creates regional jobs for Queenslanders in the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
Originally established in 2020 to create alternative employment opportunities in tourism-dependent regions impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has had two phases and also includes the Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grants Program.
On this page
Reef Assist 1.0
Reef Assist 1.0 commenced in October 2020 with a total investment of $13.5 million delivered over a two-year period in the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Mackay Whitsunday regions.
Eleven projects were delivered in partnership with local governments, natural resource management organisations and public and private organisations generating more than 230 full-time, part-time and casual jobs.
Read more about the projects delivered during 2020–2022 under Reef Assist 1.0.
Reef Assist 2.0
In 2022, the Queensland Government invested $20 million into the program for Reef Assist 2.0 and contracted eleven projects across multiple remote, regional, peri-urban and urban locations, generating an additional 200+ regional jobs.
Many of the projects provide valuable opportunities for First Nations participants to undertake practical work on Country, with approximately half of the jobs created being filled by First Nations people, and over a quarter of the jobs being undertaken by youth, many in their first paid employment.
In addition to creating jobs and providing diverse training programs which upskill participants, there is a wide range of landscape repair work underway which will lead to improvement in the quality of water entering the Reef.
On-ground activities include:
- gully and streambank restoration
- riparian revegetation
- natural wetland restoration and constructed wetland development
- cane drainage management systems
- urban development erosion management
- pastoral land management.
As of July 2025, five projects have been completed so far.
Wet Tropics region
Jaragun Ecoservices: Restoration of Wetland Function in the Russell River Catchment
- revegetation of both natural and constructed wetlands for reductions in dissolved inorganic nitrogen pollutant loads to the Great Barrier Reef
- provision of professional development opportunities including formal training in maritime operations, horticulture, first aid and fire management to leadership training.
Johnstone Region Landcare Group: Cassowary Coast Propagation and Riparian Repair Project
- revegetation of riparian sites along the Johnstone River reducing sediment and nutrient loads entering waterways and extending corridors and habitats for wildlife (including endangered species such as the Southern Cassowary)
- collection of seeds and propagation of over 100,000 native trees for current and future projects.
Wet Tropics Management Authority: Atherton Tablelands Riparian Revegetation Project (phase 1)
- continued work with NQ Land Management Services from the Reef Assist 1.0 Boots on the Ground project, focusing on new sites
- revegetation of degraded Atherton Tablelands landscapes, including planting and maintaining 65,000 seedlings, plus 50,000 seeds collected and propagated.
Wet Tropics Management Authority: Atherton Tablelands Riparian Revegetation Project (phase 2)
- is improving water quality on the Atherton Tablelands through a partnership with the Choorechillum Prescribed Body Corporate, which represents the Ngadjon-jii people and traditional custodians of the land
- focusing on key sites identified by Ngadjon-jii Peoples and the Wet Tropics Management Authority that are contributing to poor water quality.
Burdekin region
Townsville City Council: Townsville Landscape Regeneration through First Nations Knowledge and Delivery
- catchment restoration activities in the Black-Ross basins, including gully, sheet and streambank erosion remediation, and soil and land improvement work
- utilisation of innovative urban development erosion control products and techniques.
Mackay Whitsunday region
Reef Catchments: Mackay Whitsunday Streambank Stewardship Program
- riparian revegetation, bank stabilisation and gully erosion remediation to reduce sediment run-off, undertaken in partnership with three Landcare organisations: Whitsunday Catchment Landcare, Pioneer Catchment Landcare and Sarina Landcare Catchment Management Association, Traditional Owners and First Nations people
- supporting the development of a Healthy Country Plan for Koinjmal Country
- enhance the wetland function and improve ecosystem services of the Sandringham wetland.
Burnett Mary region
Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management (BMRG): Burnett River Rubyanna Riparian Restoration Project
- wetland and riparian restoration to restore 18.7 hectares of riparian vegetation at the Burnett River Rubyanna site
- environmental training and employment for Indigenous Land and Sea Rangers.
Completed projects
Cape York NRM: Cape York Gully Remediation and Creation of Indigenous Employment Pathways
This project delivered environmental, social and employment outcomes providing formal and practical training, increasing skills, confidence and employment prospects while reducing sediment entering the Reef through Cape York’s Bloomfield River and Normanby River catchment.
- 17 First Nations people trained in heavy machinery use and road and track construction on traditional Country in remote parts of Cape York
- 10 large-scale erosion control structures installed over 14.4 hectares
- 13 tonnes of sediment expected to be prevented from reaching the Reef annually.
Greening Australia: Wet Tropics Wetland and Cane Drainage Water Quality Treatment Systems
Undertaken in partnership with Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation and Mulgrave Landcare, this project targeted the repair and revegetation of wetlands and riparian cane drainage systems in the Mulgrave catchment to deliver improved Great Barrier Reef water quality. The project delivered significant employment, training and environmental restoration outcomes.
- 14 people employed
- 6 Madjandji Rangers completed accredited and informal training programs
- 19,500 trees planted
- 20,200 seedlings propagated
- 257 kilograms of seeds processed
- 9 hectares of riparian vegetation restored
- 142 nursery events and 22 planting days.
Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation: Daintree River Wawu Dimbi Riparian Revegetation
This project created employment for five Eastern Kuku Yalanji people to work on their land along the Daintree River undertaking revegetation work. The work improved sediment filtration, strengthened the riparian buffer and created a rainforest corridor and habitat for marsupials such as the Bennet’s Tree Climbing Kangaroo, Spotted Quoll and Southern Cassowary at the culturally significant Wawu Dimbi ‘Place of Spirits’.
- over 10,000 trees planted
- 1.9 hectares of riparian habitat restored
- youth engaged through Junior Rangers, with the additional community benefit of significantly improving school attendance from 5% to over 80%.
Despite Cyclone Jasper in December 2023 causing the Daintree River to flood and destroy 3,000 planted trees, and an extended dry season, the project team was able to recover the site and meet their target of 10,000 trees planted.
NQ Dry Tropics: Healing Country 2.0: Burdekin Water Quality Outcomes through Indigenous Partnerships
This project built on the success of a Reef Assist 1.0 project, reducing sediment loss into waterways by installing erosion control structures and targeted weed management and revegetation. It also supported the Birriah people to complete a Caring for Country plan, formalising their goals for their Country.
- 433 small-scale erosion control structures built across almost 200 hectares
- 27 people (5.8 full-time positions) employed with 13 First Nations people employed on Country
- 28 formal and informal training opportunities (including cultural awareness and heritage training) provided.
This project partnered with the Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council to provide training and employment opportunities in the Woorabinda Aboriginal community. Work included installing erosion control structures, revegetating streambanks and undertaking cultural heritage work. Over $1 million spent with local and First Nations businesses through on-ground works.
- 700 hours of informal and on-the-job training on Country provided to nine community members
- 31.5 tonnes of sediment expected to be prevented from reaching the Reef annually.