7.1.1 Roles and responsibilities

Protection and management responsibilities within the Region

The Australian and Queensland governments have statutory responsibilities for the protection and management of the Region in their respective jurisdictions (Figure 7.1). Australian Government legislation protects the Reef and Australia’s world and national heritage under specific constitutional powers. The Queensland Government is primarily responsible for the regulation of natural resource management, environment protection and land use planning.

The Reef Authority manages the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in accordance with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Cth) (Marine Park Act). The main object of this legislation is to provide for the long-term protection and conservation of the environment, biodiversity and heritage values of the Region. The Australian and Queensland governments work in partnership, as formalised in the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement 2015 1300, on many matters within the Marine Park, the adjacent Queensland Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and Queensland Island National Parks. The Reef 2050 Plan provides an overarching strategic direction and framework for the Australian and Queensland governments to work with partners to protect and manage the Reef (Box 7.1).2

Australian and Queensland governments share management responsibilities in the Region

Figure 7.1
Jurisdictional boundaries and a subset of relevant key legislation

This diagram depicts some relevant legislation within the Region. The Commonwealth and the State of Queensland have jurisdiction over various parts of the Region (red and blue lines, respectively). A Commonwealth and Queensland intergovernmental agreement ensures integrated field management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the abutting Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park through joint management of marine parks and island national parks. The Queensland territory extends from the mainland to the three nautical mile limit. The Queensland territory includes Queensland-owned islands that lie within the Region, as well as the three nautical mile area surrounding Queensland-owned islands within the twelve nautical mile limit of the mainland (inset image).* Asterisk indicates that the boundary for the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park may be high water or highest astronomical tide depending on location — pursuant to the Marine Parks (Declaration) Regulation 2006. The dotted lines indicate the possible extent of the relevant legislation or jurisdiction (for example depending on species or fishery). The Queensland Government regulates fisheries management with the Region. The assessment and approval provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) apply throughout the Region. However, its Commonwealth reserve provisions only apply in the Coral Sea Marine Park.

An indicative infographic showing a cross section of the Great Barrier Reef Region, ranging from beyond the highest astronomical tide on land to the left, to the mean low water mark, the three nautical mile limit, the Great Barrier Reef Region boundary and the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary on the right.
Box 7.1

Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan 2021–2025

The Reef 2050 Plan is the Australian and Queensland governments’ overarching framework for protecting and managing the Great Barrier Reef by delivering coordinated local, national and global action in key areas. The Reef 2050 Plan includes 20 objectives across elements of the Reef’s habitats, species, Indigenous heritage and human dimensions. These objectives guide delivery of the Plan’s vision and outcome of Healthy Reef, Healthy People. 

Collective effort is a central concept of the Plan, recognising that achieving its ambitions will depend on strong collaboration and lasting partnerships. Governments, industry, land managers, scientists, Traditional Owners and the community all have a role to play in helping to protect and sustain the Reef. The Plan provides a strategic framework for action and is intended to guide governments, key sectors and individuals on actions they can take to contribute to improving the Reef’s future.

Protection and management responsibilities outside the Region

Some threats to the Region’s ecosystem (natural heritage values) and heritage values (Indigenous, historic and other) arise beyond its boundaries. All levels of government (Australian, Queensland and local) have interrelated regulatory responsibilities to manage these threats, which include those associated with climate change, coastal development, and land-based runoff from the Catchment.

The Australian Government is responsible, both nationally and internationally, for environment and heritage protection of the World Heritage Area. Actions that have, or are likely to have, a significant impact on matters of national environmental significance, regardless of whether they are undertaken in or outside the Region, are regulated by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act). 

The Queensland government, through the Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (Planning Act), Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Qld) and Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld), is responsible for natural resource management and land use for Queensland protected areas, such as islands, coast and hinterland.

Partners in management

Various partners directly participate in protection and management activities within the Region and the adjacent Catchment (Table 7.1). These partnerships spread across terrestrial and marine environments and include government agencies, First Nations people — who maintain strong connections with Land and Sea Country — industry bodies and the community.

The Reef Authority is supported by two Reef Advisory Committees (Indigenous and tourism), which are sub-committees of the Marine Park Authority Board, and 12 Local Marine Advisory Committees. 

Table 7.1
Partners in the management of the Region
A table showing the different partners in management across Commonwealth, Queensland and other partners
  • 2. Australian Government and Queensland Government 2023, Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan 2021-2025, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra.
  • 1300. Commonwealth of Australia and State of Queensland 2015, Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement, Commonwealth of Australia and State of Queensland, Canberra and Brisbane.