https://www.wettropics.gov.au/

The Queensland Government’s Reef Assist program was established in 2020 to support environmental projects that improved the health of the Great Barrier Reef catchment while creating jobs and training opportunities in regional communities.

Wet Tropics Management Authority Reef Assist projects

The Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) championed the Reef Assist program, and delivered four projects in the region in partnership with local organisations, including Traditional Owner groups, supporting community-led environmental management.

Projects focused on:

  • Person planting rainforest seedlings on a bare hillside for a reforestation project.
    © WTMA/Brian Cassey

    Restoring landscapes and improving water quality

  • Spotted-tailed quoll feeding at night on a mossy log in the rainforest understorey.
    © WTMA

    Supporting threatened species

  • Building climate resilience

  • Five young people in hi-vis workwear smiling behind rows of native seedlings.
    © WTMA/NQLMS

    Creating local jobs and training opportunities

  • Indigenous ranger planting a seedling into mulched soil on a restoration site.
    © WTMA

    Supporting cultural knowledge in land management

  • Male farmer standing between young trees
    © WTMA

    Delivering on-ground environmental outcomes that reflected local priorities

A strong focus across all projects was supporting youth and First Nations Peoples incorporating cultural learning and mentorship from Traditional Custodians and Elders.

Boots on the ground

For the initial Reef Assist program, WTMA collaborated with four Rainforest Aboriginal-led organisations and one land management organisation, to deliver on ground conservation outcomes.

This project created 46 jobs and supported threatened species and climate resilience outcomes while strengthening Rainforest Aboriginal leadership and employment on Country.

Creating a sustainable environmental economy

This project supported employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Yarrabah community.

Participants were trained and employed in landscape and restoration vegetation, feral pest management and marine debris removal. The project was delivered in partnership with the Gunggandji-Mandingalbay Yidinji Peoples Prescribed Body Corporate Aboriginal Corporation.

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Atherton Tableland riparian revegetation (phase 1)

Delivered in partnership with North Queensland Land Management Services, this project focused on tree planting on Njadjon Jii, Tableland Yidinji and Mamu traditional lands across Atherton Tableland, building on the earlier 'Boots on the ground' project.

More than 38,000 native seedlings were planted, with 60,000 seeds collected and propagated.

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Atherton Tableland riparian revegetation (phase 2)

Delivered on in Ngadjon-Jii Country (Malanda) in partnership engagement with Choorechillum Prescribed Body Corporate, through their newly established restoration team.

Through this project, the Noongyanbudda Rangers undertook stream bank restoration on the Johnstone River and at Malanda Falls to significantly reduce sediment flow to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon and improve biodiversity outcomes.

WTMA is proud of our Reef Assist partners who all continue to deliver important land management and ongoing employment benefits for their communities. The success of the program in the Wet Tropics demonstrates clearly that investment in land management and restoration delivers enduring social, economic and environmental benefits.

Last updated: 13 Oct 2026