The Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (Reef 2050 Plan) was developed by the Australian and Queensland governments, together with its partners, including Traditional Owners, industry, scientists and communities, as an overarching strategy for managing the Great Barrier Reef.
A key initiative of the Reef 2050 Plan is the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program (or ‘RIMReP’).
- The Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program is a partnership involving key Australian government environmental management and science agencies, including:
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority)
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW)
- Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Queensland Government Department of Environment and Science (DES)
- Traditional Owner members also form a key part of the Program’s governance.
Reef Knowledge System
The Reef Knowledge System, is the online access point for the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program, with parts of it accessible to the public.
It provides a ‘first stop shop’ or portal, linking to monitoring information drawn from multiples sources, links to Program partner systems and interactive maps and information.
The program’s knowledge system is intended to enable the early detection of trends and changes in the Reef’s environment.
The goal is to drive effective, efficient and transparent management decisions. The knowledge system will evolve in response to changes in the Reef’s condition, new science and technologies, and high priority needs of management and stakeholders.
It will be used to guide day-to-day decisions, shape strategic policy and inform future Great Barrier Reef Outlook Reports.
The Reef Knowledge System is continuously improving. Over time it will show monitoring and modelling data from a wide range of sources in useful and interactive ways.
Key governance partners executed a Statement of Collaboration to formalise the governance and management framework under which the partners will cooperate and collaborate to achieve the purpose and aims of RIMReP.
A dedicated and experienced Program Management Office (PMO), operated by the Authority, will coordinate the required governance mechanisms and provide program support to those responsible for shaping and delivering on the RIMReP five-year Business Strategy and the Annual Business Plans.
- The purpose of the governance structure is to:
- govern the relationship, roles and responsibilities of the Parties; and
- support the effective delivery of the Program, including the implementation transition.
- The Program governance structure comprises:
- the Executive Group;
- the Operations Group; and
- The Program Management Office
The Executive Group may recommend the Operations Group establish additional working groups to undertake specific tasks. Working groups will generally comprise operational staff from the partner agencies.
Executive Group
The Executive Group is the primary body that sets the strategy and overall direction of the Program. It provides the key interface between the Program and the Parties at an executive level.
The Executive Group functions in accordance with the RIMReP Statement of Collaboration and the Executive Group Terms of Reference.
- The Executive Group membership includes:
- Chief Executive Officer, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) – Chair
- Two Traditional Owner representatives (1 male and 1 female)
- Chief Executive Officer, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- Executive Director – Energy and Environment, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Director, Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS)
- Assistant Secretary, Reef Policy and International Heritage, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
- Executive Director, Office of the Great Barrier Reef (OGBR), Queensland Department of Environment and Science (DES)
- Chair of the RIMReP Operations Group
Operations Group
The Operations Group is the primary working group for the Program. The Operations Group reports to the Executive Group.
The Executive Group functions in accordance with the RIMReP Statement of Collaboration and the Executive Group Terms of Reference.
- The Operations Group membership includes:
- General Manager, Major Projects Branch, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), responsible for the PMO – Chair
- Two Traditional Owner representatives (1 male and 1 female)
- Research Program Leader, A Healthy and Resilient Great Barrier Reef, Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
- Coordinator GBR, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
- Director, Science for Management, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
- Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) representative
Program Management Office
The Program Management Office (the PMO) supports the operational delivery of the Program’s Annual Business Plan.
The Program Management Office reports to the Executive Group and supports the Operations Group and Project Managers (Leads).
- The Program Management Office mission is to:
- Establish an effective approach to program and project management.
- Develop a strong and adopted project management culture.
- Work to ensure administration of projects does not materially impact delivery.
The Program Management Office functions in accordance with the RIMReP Statement of Collaboration and the Program Management Office Charter.
Bringing knowledge together for Reef management
The vision for the Reef 2050 Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program is to develop a knowledge system for resilience-based management of the Reef and its Catchment. It will also provide managers with an understanding of how the Reef 2050 Plan is progressing.
Program development commenced in 2016, and more than 70 experts have been involved in the design of the program. A prototype, designed to be the first edition of the knowledge system, is scheduled for testing from mid–2019.
- Program development focuses on three knowledge system components:
- Collecting and integrating data: For the first time, access to information from monitoring and modelling of the Reef’s biophysical, social, economic, Indigenous and heritage values, as well as the drivers and pressures on those values, will occur through a centralised location.
- Improving data access: Enabling access to data through the knowledge system requires meeting sufficient standards for data management collection and sharing. This complex task involves input from those involved in collecting Reef data and establishing technical infrastructure.
- Visualising data: The knowledge system will allow users to access consolidated and integrated information, becoming a ‘first-stop-shop’ for Reef managers.
The program’s knowledge system is intended to enable the early detection of trends and changes in the Reef’s environment. The goal is to drive effective, efficient and transparent management decisions. The knowledge system will evolve in response to changes in the Reef’s condition, new science and technologies, and high priority needs of management and stakeholders. It will be used to guide day-to-day decisions, shape strategic policy and inform future Great Barrier Reef Outlook Reports.
Read more in our 2019 Outlook Report.