Runoff Threat to Reef: Local Solutions Needed

Soil erosion and runoff of fertilisers and chemicals pose a significant threat to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), particularly the inner reefs.

But the Productivity Commission concluded, in a report released today, that there is no single highly-effective policy measure that can reduce threats at reasonable cost to both governments and land users. Different combinations of measures will be needed for the grazing lands, such as the upper Fitzroy and Burdekin catchments, compared to the cropping areas along the coast.

‘Best Management Practices for a particular region, or individual property, cannot just be decreed from Brisbane or Canberra. What works well in one place could be counter-productive elsewhere’, said Commissioner Dr Neil Byron.

‘Targeting hazard areas is important, since much of the threats comes from a relatively small proportion of the GBR catchment and particular land management practices. Local knowledge is so important. That is why the proposed regional Natural Resource Management bodies must be carefully set up to be workable and accountable’, said Dr Byron.

The Commission’s suggestions to governments include removing perverse incentives in existing programs; modifying conditions on pastoral leases; targeted incentive payments; more information-extension; and, in specific high-hazard areas, some smart regulation. But parties other than governments — such as industry associations and farmer groups — could also take actions to address the threats.

The Commission also argues for more research to better understand the links between land uses and the health of GBR ecosystems, and for continued monitoring of the effectiveness of the measures taken.

The Commission’s report — Industries, Land Use and Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment — was requested by the Commonwealth Government. A draft of the report, released in November 2002 for public discussion and input, focused on the importance of industries in the GBR catchment and land management practices relevant to water quality. The final report includes information covered in the draft report, as well as an examination of policy options.