Water pollution is the greatest local threat to the Great Barrier Reef, threatening the survival of corals and seagrass and weakening its ability to recover from marine heatwaves, cyclones and flooding.
Reducing pollution remains one of the most important local actions we can take to keep the Reef as healthy as possible, giving it a better chance to recover from the effects of climate change, like coral bleaching, and protect our wildlife and the jobs, tourism, and fishing industries that depend on it.
Yet in 2025, the Australian and Queensland governments missed their water quality targets for the third time. These targets set specific goals to reduce sediment, nutrient, and pesticide pollution from land-based runoff into Reef waters. These targets are designed to protect the Reef, and failing to meet them again will put the Reef at high risk from the impacts of climate change.
Our governments have a joint responsibility to Australians, like you, and the world to meet these targets and fully protect the Reef from water pollution by 2030.
Our Reef is running out of time. Our governments need to rethink their approach, starting with an evaluation of existing programs, followed by a coordinated and fully costed plan that sets out how to quickly reduce water pollution and boost the health of our Reef.
Help to protect our Reef, Email the Queensland and Australian Environment Ministers now, and urge them to deliver a fully funded plan to reduce water pollution and protect the Reef for generations to come.
The future of our Reef depends on cleaner water.