PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Queensland state government has appointed Chief Scientist Dr Geoff Garrett to head the Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce, aimed at advising the state government on how to achieve its reef water quality improvement targets.

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Steven Mills said on Thursday said the taskforce would harness a wealth of expertise, experience and knowledge across reef and water quality issues, land management practice and the different industries that operate within the reef catchment.

“The taskforce has been given the job of grappling head on with one of the most significant threats to the long-term health and sustainability of the Great Barrier Reef: the quality of water running into the reef catchments.”

Miles also announced the creation of the first ever Office of the Great Barrier Reef, to be established within the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection.

“The Office of the Great Barrier Reef will be responsible for overseeing implementation of the government's reef management strategies and programmes, including its recent election commitments,” he said.

“There are at least 11 Queensland government agencies with some interest or involvement in reef management, as well as three commonwealth agencies and multiple local governments. By consolidating our expertise in one office we can better coordinate our activities on reef matters and ensure we are delivering on our commitments across the government.”

Miles said the creation of an Office of the Great Barrier Reef and formation of the Taskforce underscored the high priority the government attached to effectively implementing reef-related policies and programmes.

Meanwhile, federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt also announced the roll-out of Phase 2 of the federal government’s Reef Trust, which would see an investment of some A$15-billion to strengthen protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef.

Projects include remediating gullies in grazing landscapes to control erosion, a competitive tender to reduce fertiliser run-off from sugar cane farms in the Burdekin region and a further A$7-million to help control the outbreak of coral eating crown-of-thorns starfish on high-value reefs.

“This second phase of Reef Trust projects will help to directly address the greatest threats to the Great Barrier Reef. They will make an important contribution to implementing the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan to protect and manage the Reef for future generations,” Hunt said.

Last year the federal government delivered on a key election commitment to establishing the Reef Trust with an initial injection of A$40-million. Just last month the Prime Minister announced an additional injection of A$100-million, bringing the total Reef Trust commitment to A$140-million.

The Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the state and federal news, with the industry body saying that industries working alongside the reef, together with both levels of government were all putting their efforts into real on-the-ground projects to improve the reef’s health based on science and backed by the best research.