Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund

Jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian governments, the $24 million Great Barrier Reef Urban Technology and Innovation Fund drives innovation in urban water management to reduce water pollution flowing to the Great Barrier Reef from our urban landscapes.

The fund focuses on:

• generating examples of novel, low-cost treatment or management solutions to address nutrients and fine sediment in treated sewage wastewater, stormwater and run-off from urban land development sites
• driving the uptake of successful solutions by the urban sector through sharing knowledge around their design and implementation
• improving the ability of local councils and developers to implement cost-effective and site-appropriate treatment systems that reduce nutrient and fine sediment loads flowing to the Reef.

The Queensland Government called for tenders from suitably qualified and experienced external service providers to manage the delivery of the fund, including the call for project proposals later in 2025.

Tenders are currently being assessed with the successful provider to be announced shortly.

Managing urban and non-agricultural run-off to the Reef

Urban land use covers less than one per cent of the Great Barrier Reef catchment yet contributes disproportionately high nutrient and fine sediment run-off per unit area compared to other land uses.

To meet the water quality targets for a healthy Reef, it’s important that we better manage erosion from urban development, stormwater run-off and treated effluent releases from sewage treatment plants. This means providing innovative, practical and affordable solutions for urban water management.

The Queensland Reef Water Quality Program funds a range of initiatives to manage urban and non-agricultural run-off to the Reef.