The Australian and Queensland Governments have been working together for the long-term protection and conservation of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park since its inception in 1975. This cooperative approach was formalised by the Emerald Agreement in 1979 and a series of collaborative arrangements have evolved over time since this original agreement. The Australian and Queensland Governments agreed to update these arrangements, recognising that the challenges facing the protection of the Great Barrier Reef are constantly changing.  In July 2009 a new agreement was created called the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement.

The objective of the Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement is to ensure an integrated and collaborative approach is taken by the Australian and Queensland Governments to manage marine and land environments within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Related information

• Great Barrier Reef Intergovernmental Agreement [pdf 553.7 KB]