Queensland Wetlands Program

In 2003, the Australian and Queensland governments established the Queensland Wetlands Program to support projects that will result in long-term benefits to the sustainable use, management, conservation and protection of Queensland wetlands.

Since then the Program has supported more than 70 projects to deliver a range of new mapping, information and decision-making tools and products to enable local, state and federal government agencies, landowners, regional natural resource management bodies and conservation groups to protect and manage wetlands into the future.

These tools and products are designed to help with all aspects of wetland management, from mapping and classification, through assessment and rehabilitation to monitoring and communication of wetlands information.

For more information on the projects and products, visit the project information sheets.

The Program is a multi-agency partnership between the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) and Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI), the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Aurthority.

To date, the Program has been funded through the Great Barrier Reef Coastal Wetlands Protection Program, the Queensland Natural Heritage Trust Wetlands Program, Caring for our Country Reef Rescue initiative and Q2 Coasts and Country Program.

The initial $23 million investment finished in 2009. An independent evaluation of the first phase of the Program found it has supported and enabled a range of quality projects and programs to enhance the sustainable use, management, conservation and protection of Queensland wetlands and has set new benchmarks for wetlands management.

The governments recognise the significant contribution of the Program as a first-stop-shop for wetland resources and tools to improve wetland management and have continued their investment to 2013.