FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce (ReefTO Taskforce) has been set up to oversee delivery of the Traditional Owner Implementation Plan. It is the first time resources have been dedicated to an independent Traditional Owner-led body to drive implementation of actions under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan. The work to build the strong foundations that underpin the ReefTO Taskforce was led by the independent Traditional Owner Steering Group.  

The ReefTO Taskforce has three key priorities:  

1. Engaging with Traditional Owners on options for a Sea Country Alliance and implementing the preferred option 

1. Overseeing the delivery of strategic policy and capacity building actions in the Implementation Plan while a Sea Country Alliance is being established 

1. Monitoring and reporting on the delivery of Traditional Owner actions in the Implementation Plan as part of the broader Reef 2050 integrated monitoring and reporting. 

The Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan brings Traditional Owner and supporting actions from across the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan (2021-2025) together into one place. It provides a cohesive framework and operational platform for delivery. It lays out six critical work areas and a host of actions that will deliver on Traditional Owner priorities for a Healthy Reef and Healthy People. 

The ReefTO Taskforce currently has five voting members (all Reef Traditional Owners) and one non-voting member (a non-Indigenous General Manager). The Taskforce is co-chaired by Duane Fraser and Manuwuri Forester, and members include: Dr Leah Talbot, Dr Cass Hunter and Rev Shayne Blackman. 

ReefTO is supported by a Coordination Unit, which currently has five staff members: Emma Pethybridge (General Manager), Kat Hollis (Executive Manager), Lyndal Pontello (Digital Communications Officer), Shikierra Thorne (Event Planner), and Destina Rose Lee (Research Assistant).  

The ReefTO Coordination Unit will be growing in 2025, so if you (or anyone you know) might be interested in opportunities to join us, make sure you subscribe to the ReefTO newsletter.  

No. ReefTO is a Traditional Owner-led, grassroots initiative that honours the decades of work by Elders to assert their cultural authority and rights to sea country and to drive genuine partnerships across the Reef. In doing so, ReefTO aims to achieve Traditional Owners’ aspirations for the health, management and protection of the Reef and interconnecting Country.  

ReefTO does receive funding from government to progress the three key priorities. The Queensland Government has committed $1.5 million towards establishment of the ReefTO Taskforce and Coordination Unit, while the Commonwealth Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has committed $4.3 million. 

No, ReefTO is not an incorporated entity. One of the key objectives of the ReefTO Taskforce is to engage and consult with Reef Traditional Owners on options and preferences for setting up a Sea Country Alliance. If that is something we as Traditional Owners confirm we want, then the Sea Country Alliance would be set up (and incorporated). 

Until then, ReefTO is hosted by Pollination Foundation until 30 June 2026. As the Host Organisation, Pollination Foundation provides a range of corporate services (such as entering into legal contracts, and use of their financial, accounting and payroll systems, etc) and enabling conditions that support the ReefTO Taskforce in the interim.  

The Sea Country Forum will bring together all Traditional Owners clan groups that hold inherent Sea Country rights within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. One of the critical topics we’ll be talking about is the possibility of creating a Sea Country Alliance and what it could look like as we shape it, together. A future Sea Country Alliance could give us, the Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef, a collective voice to lead on matters affecting our Sea Country and is potentially a way of driving real change for our mob.  

Other topics we’ll discuss include:  

• Sustainable financing to support Sea Country initiatives and enterprises 

• How the 70+ actions in the Traditional Owner Implementation Plan should be prioritised 

• How communities would like their voices heard on these and related topics over the next 12+ months 

The Sea Country Forum is held over 2 days in Cairns (Tuesday 11 March and Wednesday 12 March 2025). The venue is the Pulman Cairns International.  

No. The Sea Country Forum in March 2025 has a tight agenda over the two days, so unfortunately there isn’t an opportunity for individual Traditional Owner groups to present at this particular event. There will, however, be various breakout sessions in which groups will be able to share about current projects and discuss current priorities. There will be plenty of opportunities to have a say, but not to formally present on a topic at this event.  

ReefTO is planning on hosting a second, larger (and longer!) Sea Country Summit in 2026. That event is likely to have more opportunities for groups to share about Sea Country projects and other topics.   

ReefTO has invited four (4) representatives from each Traditional Owner clan group that has inherent Sea Country rights in the Great Barrier Reef. We’d ideally like each clan group to bring 2 x adults (29 years and older) and 2 x young leaders (18-28 years), so there is a balance of current leaders and/or Elders, as well as a contingent of young people who are interested in strengthening their capacity to lead on Reef issues.  

However, if that age split doesn’t work for your group, don’t worry! Simply register up to four (4) representatives from your clan group to attend (any age but must be 18 years or older). 

For any further questions on registration or attendance, please contact Emma Pethybridge. 

Several speakers are already confirmed for panel discussions, including: 

• Karen Liddy (Lama Lama) 

• Eddie Smallwood (Bindal) 

• Uncle Bob Muir (Woppaburra) 

• Gail Barry (Eastern Kuku Yalanji) 

• Phil Rist (Nywaigi) 

We are still in the process of confirming additional speakers. However, we are keeping the “talking at you” sessions to a minimum – because we want to hear from you. This means we have plenty of breakout sessions and opportunities for you to have a say. 

ReefTO is covering the cost of travel to Cairns and accommodation in Cairns – if you require it. These costs will be covered for all four (4) representatives from each Traditional Owner clan group. In terms of meals:  

• Breakfast – provided as part of your accommodation 

• Lunch – provided at the Sea Country Forum on 11-12 March (so is morning and afternoon tea) 

• Dinner – provided on Wednesday 12 March at the closing event. Dinner is not provided on Tuesday 11 March. 

As part of the registration process, you’ll be asked to say where you’ll be travelling from and your preferred method of travel. We’ve partnered with Indigenous-owned travel agency, InTravel Group, to book travel. From February, the team from InTravel Group will start reaching out to you to confirm details so they can book travel on your behalf. 

The Sea Country Forum is just the beginning. This event is the first time all Traditional Owners of the Great Barrier Reef will come together in many years. While we will start the discussion around the potential for a Sea Country Alliance at this event, the conversation will continue over the next 12-18 months. ReefTO will be organising regional dialogue sessions to listen deeply to groups about their concerns and aspirations. Once engagement is complete, we will all come together again for a big Sea Country Summit in 2026 where we will share all the learnings and insights we have heard over the past 12-18 months.