Our Work
From major national research programs to practical on-ground initiatives, RRRC brings together collaboration, evidence, and expertise to respond to the needs of the region and deliver lasting outcomes. Explore the timeline to see how RRRC’s work has grown, connected, and delivered impact over time.
Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (CRC Reef)
1999 – 2006
RRRC now hosts the legacy of CRC Reef, a $100+ million research partnership. Delivered pivotal science on reef fisheries, biodiversity, zoning, water quality, and socio-economic values. Trained 68 PhDs, produced the eAtlas, and laid foundations for the MTSRF and NERP programs.
Torres Strait Cooperative Research Centre (CRC Torres Strait)
2003 – 2006
$13 million research collaboration led by CRC Reef and supported by RRRC. Addressed fisheries, biophysical processes and marine systems management in Torres Strait. Produced stock assessments, habitat mapping, and culturally appropriate research guidelines. Invested in community training, building knowledge that continues to inform conservation and fisheries management.
Catchment to Reef Research Program
2003 – 2006
RRRC hosted the outputs of this collaborative initiative addressing land–sea connections. Developed new water quality monitoring approaches, ecosystem health assessments, and management tools for tropical catchments. Strengthened understanding of how farming and land use affect coastal rivers and the GBR, shaping modern water quality policy.
Reef Rescue Marine Monitoring Program
2005 – 2009
RRRC managed this core program under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Established consistent, long-term monitoring of key water quality indicators, seagrass and coral reef health across the GBR. Provided critical baseline data and evaluation methods still used to track catchment impacts and management effectiveness today.
Reef & Rainforest Research Centre established
2006
The Reef & Rainforest Research Centre was established in 2006 as the successor to the Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (CRC Reef), carrying forward an established legacy of collaborative tropical research. RRRC would go on to expand this model across the reef, rainforest, Torres Strait, and northern Australia, connecting research with the needs of communities, industries, Traditional Owners, and environmental managers.
Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility
2006 – 2010
$40 million program managed by RRRC under the Australian Government’s Commonwealth Environment Research Facilities (CERF) program, uniting 300 scientists and 40 end-user groups. Delivered tools including the eAtlas, early COTS warnings, climate insights for turtles, and data guiding fisheries and seagrass management. Established a highly collaborative, solutions-focused model for tropical environmental research.
eAtlas
2008 – Ongoing
RRRC contributes maps and data to this AIMS-managed platform funded by NESP. Provides open access to biophysical and socio-economic data across northern Australia. Integrates research into maps, reports and interactive tools used by governments, industries and communities to guide conservation and planning.
Papua New Guinea South-Fly Resilience Program
2009 – 2023
RRRC and INLOC delivered this DFAT-funded program in 40 remote PNG villages. Trained 180+ Rangers, one-third women, to tackle health, sanitation, food security, and conservation. Improved maternal health, climate resilience and women’s empowerment. Adapted the Indigenous Ranger model for PNG, achieving transformative community development outcomes.
National Environmental Research Program – Tropical Ecosystems Hub
2011 – 2014
$32 million NERP program managed by RRRC. Supported 240 scientists across 38 projects. Identified biodiversity hotspots, climate-resilient refuges, seagrass and seabird dynamics, and turtle and dugong populations. Strengthened Indigenous and community capacity and laid foundations for today’s NESP Marine and Coastal Hub.
Reef Rescue Research and Development Water Quality Program
2011 – 2015
RRRC managed this core program under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Established consistent, long-term monitoring of key water quality indicators, seagrass and coral reef health across the GBR. Provided critical baseline data and evaluation methods still used to track catchment impacts and management effectiveness today.
National Environmental Science Program – Tropical Water Quality Hub
2014 – 2021
Largest NESP Phase 1 Hub, $32 million, managed by RRRC. Advanced water quality science, improved coral bleaching and COTS understanding, tested wetland and reef restoration, and embedded Indigenous leadership. Supported Sea Rangers, farmers, and industries to reduce sediment and nutrient flows to the Great Barrier Reef.
TOPCOTS Training Program
2016 – 2024
Joint RRRC–INLOC initiative training young Indigenous Rangers in COTS control and marine operations. Delivered PADI diving certifications, coxswain qualifications, tourism and ecosystem management skills. Built a skilled Indigenous workforce for reef protection while creating pathways to employment in marine industries.
Project 25
2016 – 2020
RRRC program in the Mulgrave-Russell catchment reducing dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) runoff through precision agriculture, controlled drainage and farmer–scientist partnerships. Built grower trust, produced high-resolution monitoring data, and trialled innovative management. Received a Banksia Award for demonstrating practical, collaborative solutions to farm productivity and water quality challenges.
Crown-of-thorns Starfish Control Program
2016 – Ongoing
RRRC co-leads this major applied management effort. Phase 1 developed Integrated Pest Management tools; Phase 2 deploys 100+ divers across 120 reefs, removing 14,000 starfish annually. Indigenous youth training, community engagement, and science integration underpin its success. Awarded the 2023 National Banksia Biodiversity Award.
Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Aspirations Project
2018
RRRC supported 70 Traditional Owner groups to articulate Sea Country priorities for the Reef 2050 Plan. Delivered the first Traditional Owner Implementation Plan, embedding cultural authority in Reef governance. Strengthened Indigenous leadership and created a foundation for co-management across the Great Barrier Reef.
Reef Havens Research Project
2018 – Ongoing
RRRC led this $2.2 million project investigating the fine-scale oceanography of coral bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef, and then using this new understanding to pilot interventions that could improve outcomes for corals at the scale of a reef tourism site. Analyses of millions of in-water data points during bleaching and non-bleaching years revealed that acute periods of stratification resulting from low winds (and failed natural vertical mixing of the water column) were associated with mass coral bleaching. A prototype mixer was trialled that supplemented failed vertical mixing under stratified conditions.
Deadly Women
2021–2024
RRRC designed and managed this program addressing the lack of culturally safe training for Indigenous women. Delivered VET certificates in workplace skills and tourism across QLD and NT. 71 qualifications awarded, 34% employed within six months. Boosted confidence, leadership, and economic opportunities in remote communities.
Mulgrave-Russell Regional Water Quality Program
2021–2024
The Mulgrave-Russell Regional Water Quality Program is a $6.2 million Reef Trust Partnership initiative improving water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. Delivered by RRRC with CANEGROWERS Cairns, Farmacist, JCU TropWATER and the Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation, the program reduces dissolved inorganic nitrogen through precision agriculture, real-time monitoring and controlled drainage interventions.
National Environmental Science Program – Marine and Coastal Hub
2021–2027
RRRC co-leads the $23.5 million NESP Phase 2 Marine and Coastal Hub, coordinating more than 36 projects addressing threatened species, feral pig impacts, extreme event recovery, COTS control, Indigenous Sea Country mapping, and data systems. The program ensures research is translated into practical outcomes through collaboration with communities, governments, industry, and Traditional Owners.
Muugar Saltwater Foundation
2023 – Ongoing
Indigenous-led foundation directed by Duane Fraser, sponsored by RRRC. Supports 70 Aboriginal custodial groups of Muugar (coral reef Country) to strengthen governance, ranger programs, social enterprise and aquaculture. Creates pathways for Traditional Owner co-management and ensures initiatives are led by, and for, Sea Country custodians.
Reef Coastal Restoration Project
2024 – 2026
RRRC is delivering the $1.8 million Reef Coastal Restoration Project (RCREST) with the Madjandji Aboriginal Corporation and local landholders, combining Traditional Owner knowledge, science, and practical restoration to improve coastal habitats and Reef water quality. The project tackles interconnected pressures including invasive species, erosion, sediment and nutrient runoff, weeds, and habitat degradation through coordinated on-ground interventions.
Great Barrier Reef Regional Ocean Model
2025 – Ongoing
RRRC funded a high-resolution Regional Ocean Modelling System for the Great Barrier Reef, forecasting ocean temperature, salinity, currents, and water-column conditions across the Reef lagoon. Designed for applied reef management, the model can operate in forecast mode and is being validated against real-world data from ocean gliders and purpose-built surface drifters.
Integrated Pest Management
Emerging focus
RRRC is building on research and practical experience in invasive species management to explore new integrated pest management approaches for northern Australia. Drawing on work addressing feral pigs, tilapia, and other environmental threats, we are actively working to develop collaborative, evidence-based methods that connect research, technology, Traditional Owner knowledge, and on-ground delivery.
