Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grants Program
The $2 million Reef Assist Traditional Owner Grants Program empowers First Nations communities and supports a holistic and inclusive approach to protecting the Great Barrier Reef and its catchments.
It addresses key actions under the Traditional Owner-led Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan and aims to:
- assist in the development of a diverse and sustainable Indigenous business sector
- increase employment and opportunities for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in the Queensland economy
- increase capacity and capability of Indigenous businesses to successfully tender for Reef initiatives
- build a more skilled and diverse workforce focusing on youth and planning for future success.
The program funds 11 Traditional Owner-led environmental projects selected through a competitive grants process and aimed at building capacity and capability and generating jobs.
Wet Tropics region
Yirrganydji Gurabana Aboriginal Corporation: Habitat Restoration in Yirrganydji Country
- Country-based planning to improve water quality and restore habitat for threatened, endangered, keystone and culturally significant species
- riparian revegetation and coastal habitat and wetland restoration.
Dulabed and Malanbarra Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation: Jawajawa Junior Rangers
- pilot Junior Ranger Program as a second ‘tier’ to the already established Jawajawa Ranger Program
- participants will learn new skills and provide support to the rangers.
Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation: Madjandji Rangers in Russell Mulgrave
- focuses on water quality in the Russell Mulgrave catchment and aims to capture dissolved inorganic nitrogen, pesticides and fine sediments
- provides cultural benefits and training and job opportunities for Traditional Owners.
Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation: Dawul Wuru Future Ready
- provides targeted and culturally appropriate training and mentorship to build Yirrganydji leadership in cultural and environmental management
- employment pathways and knowledge preservation to strengthen participation and cultural authority.
Goondoi Arts Aboriginal Corporation: Goondoi Coastal Wetland Management Plan
- development of a Traditional Owner-led coastal wetland management plan for Dyirribarra and Bagirbarra Country using the Earthwatch Local Action Plan model and coastal wetlands data
- shovel-ready projects will be identified in the plan to protect, enhance and restore coastal wetlands in the lower Johnstone River catchment.
Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate Aboriginal Corporation (GMYPPBC) on behalf of the Rainforest Aboriginal People Think Tank: Strengthening on Country Networks: Rainforest Aboriginal Peoples Think Tank Summit
- supports a summit in 2026 which will bring together all Rainforest Aboriginal People Traditional Owner groups to help formalise a framework to establish an incorporated Rainforest bioregional entity
- peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange and strengthens Traditional Owner governance collaboration.
Choorechillum (Ngadjon Jil PBC) Aboriginal Corporation: Choorechillum Bana Project
- focuses on improving the environmental resilience of the Johnston, Russell and Barron rivers, developing a skilled workforce and sustainable job opportunities
- integrates Traditional knowledge with contemporary land and water management practices creating enhanced community cohesion and cultural pride.
Mackay Whitsunday region
Yuwi Aboriginal Corporation: Yuwi project at Cape Palmerston Wetland
- monitoring and maintenance of the Cape Palmerston Wetland with training provided on measuring indicators such as salinity, pH, water depth, vegetation (cover of Hymenachne, mangrove condition), birds, crab activity, other disturbances
- weed clearing, pest management, community education, compliance and condition monitoring by Yuwi rangers in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Girrigun Aboriginal Corporation: Warrgamay Capacity Building
- builds on previous ‘Enhancing Cultural Connectivity through Waterways’ initiative by embedding a focused Warrgamay-led approach to governance, planning, and ranger development
- ensures the Warrgamay People are project-ready and business capable to lead the protection of their Country.
Fitzroy region
Greening Australia Ltd: Fitzroy Catchment Traditional Owner Alliance Forum
- builds on the previous foundational work already achieved by the Fitzroy Catchment Traditional Owners Alliance and supports formal incorporation and the development of a whole-of-catchment plan through a Traditional Owner forum.
Burnett Mary region
Taribelang Aboriginal Corporation: Taribelang project at Lady Musgrave Island
- Traditional Owner-led approach to research, monitoring, and protection of Lady Musgrave Island and Coral Cay Lagoon — a culturally and ecologically significant site within Taribelang Bunda Country on the southern Great Barrier Reef
- focuses on engaging, supporting and upskilling disengaged youth and getting them back on Country.