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The Reef Authority recently hosted meetings with the Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee (IRAC) and Tourism Reef Advisory Committee (TRAC) in Townsville, bringing together committee members and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Board to discuss the management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Across the meetings, members provided advice, insights and received information across key program areas and focus topics including Reef health, Marine Park management, industry updates, and partnerships with Traditional Owners. A joint IRAC and TRAC session was also held to strengthen collaboration and discuss cross-cutting topics.  

IRAC connects the Reef Authority with Traditional Owners to share knowledge and provide advice on policy and management decisions concerning the Marine Park.  

Five people including board members and Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee members pose for a photo.
From L to R: Board members Mr Tibau Stanley (Stan) Lui and Ms Elissa Keenan stand beside new Indigenous Reef Advisory Committee Members Mr Wahtjah Johnson and Ms Leah Gardiner alongside Chair of the Board, Dr Ian Poiner.

The committee recently welcomed two new members, including:

  • Ms Leah Gardiner, a Central Desert woman connected to the Tiwi people (saltwater people) through the impacts of the Stolen Generations and her grandmother’s upbringing at Garden Point Mission. Leah has dedicated her career to ensuring government policies reflect the priorities of Traditional Owners to keep Country, culture and communities strong, including supporting Aboriginal Marine Rangers in fisheries compliance and managing the Aboriginal Coastal Licence program. She now works in the Australian Government’s Indigenous Protected Areas program, supporting Traditional Owner-led management of Country.  
  • Mr Wahtjah Johnson a Kaanju (Cape York) and Bwgaman (Palm Island) man with strong connections to sea and Country across North Queensland. He is passionate about ensuring Traditional Owner knowledge and perspectives contribute to the ongoing protection, management and sustainable future of the Great Barrier Reef.  

TRAC brings together tourism professionals from across the Marine Park to provide advice on the sustainable use and protection of the Reef. This was the final meeting of the current term.  

The Reef Authority is proud to work alongside Traditional Owners and the tourism industry to strengthen the protection and sustainable use of the Reef.

You can learn more about our advisory committees here.

Updated 5 Jun 2026
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