Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program

The Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef program) provides the framework for evaluating and reporting progress towards Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef 2050 WQIP) targets, objectives and long-term outcome through the delivery of the Great Barrier Reef Water Quality Report Card.

Launched in 2009, the program unites more than 20 industry bodies, government agencies, Natural Resource Management bodies, landholders and research organisations – working together to measure and report on water quality factors that impact Reef health.

Monitoring and modelling occurs across a range of attributes, from paddock scale through to sub-catchment, catchment, regional and Great Barrier Reef-wide.

In line with the Reef 2050 WQIP overarching framework of targets, objectives and the long-term outcome the program evaluates management practice adoption, management practice effectiveness (in terms of water quality benefits and economic outcomes), catchment condition, pollutant run-off and marine condition. The program areas are inter-linked and integrated through a common assessment and reporting framework.

Key messages

• Cape York Paddock to Reef is a world-leading example of an integrated monitoring, modelling and reporting program that links many on-ground practice changes by farmers to measurable improvements in water quality flowing to the GBR
• Cape York Paddock to Reef collects and integrates data and information on land management practices, catchment water quality and the health of the Reef
• Cape York Paddock to Reef monitors and models the impact management change is having on water quality improvement at a number of scales: paddock, catchment and marine.

Project objectives

• Collecting and integrating regional data and information on land management practices focusing on fertiliser and pesticide use.
• Data collection, data management and reporting for industry specific nutrient and pesticide information for use as an alternate line of evidence in Reef reporting
• High quality measurement and reporting of regional activities toward achieving Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan (Reef WQIP) targets 
  Improving:
  • Cape York NRM group capacities to engage land holders to implement management practice change for land, catchment, water quality and community outcomes.
  • Awareness of reef science, research strategies for effective and efficient outcomes, and research programs (government and non-government) for reef protection.
  • Engagement through targeted science communication forums and teleconferences, training programs, science synthesis workshops and technical working groups.

Objectives of the Paddock to Reef program

• Monitor, interpret and report on water quality status and trends and related ecosystem health in the Great Barrier Reef, and the pressures and drivers of water quality condition from the Great Barrier Reef catchment
• Report on the progress towards Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan targets, objectives and long-term outcome through the delivery of the Great Barrier Reef Report Card.
• Develop and improve the evidence base that provides the foundation for learning and improvement to support adaptive management for actions within the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.
• Provide knowledge and insights to enable partners to evaluate, prioritise and continuously improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan delivery and implementation at Great Barrier Reef-wide, regional and catchment scales.
• Provide the primary mechanism for evaluation of the water quality theme of the Reef 2050 Plan and in conjunction with the regional report cards, the Catchment and Estuaries theme of the Reef Integrated Monitoring and Reporting Program.