Regulating land use in the catchment of the Great Barrier Reef

The quality of water entering the coastal waters Great Barrier Reef continues to be urgent concern for policy makers. Beef grazing and sugarcane cultivation pose special threats at catchment scale , past approaches millions in investment have largely proved insufficient reverse associated decline quality. In this paper, we examine role regulation - as one tool governance addressing Reef. By adopting a focused study cattle grazing, by drawing upon recent developments regulatory theory, evaluate adopted government, including re-introduction legislative measures targeting nutrient sediment loads. Scientific government consensus appears that should form part functioning environmental system, but it must also supported other such economic incentives, education outreach. Where land use is required, best practice suggests risk-based, responsive, cognisant regulated industry’s attitudinal settings. • Addressing requires an effective mix instruments. Regulatory interventions support non-regulatory instruments encourage behavioral change. adopted, cognizant