Industry:
Not for Profit
Services:
Grant Rollout
Optimising Outcomes
The Great Barrier Reef remains one of the best-managed ecosystems in the world, and Australia is committed to continuing the work of protect it. Progress is being made, but there is still much more to do. Climate change is the greatest threat to the Reef, but there are still things that can be done to mitigate its effects. By working together, work continues towards improving water quality by reducing agricultural runoff and urban pollution, managing crown-of-thorns starfish populations, restoring damaged reefs, and raising awareness of the threats facing the Reef.
The Challenge
Our client had been awarded a highly contentious grant from the Federal Government to be spent on improving the future of the Great Barrier Reef. Under high scrutiny from a hostile press, the client needed to award the initial $20.2M Water Quality Grant Funding in such a manner that the grants would stand up to intense public scrutiny.
Our Role
Understanding the intense political pressure, we developed a probity plan that would stand up to public review, while also encouraging recipients to participate in the Queensland Government Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program. The plan covered the approach to market via an Expression of Interest, the development of thorough investment selection criteria, the selection process and suitable governance frameworks for endorsement. After design workshops, it was agreed to implement selection pathways from both high impact proposals, and First Nations peoples with sea country. Each proposal was assessed against standard criteria and an investment benefit profile developed. Then using a process of investment appraisal and triage the client was able to present successful candidate applications to the Board from funding approval.
With the first round of investments approved, MagniStrat developed program delivery controls including a visible portfolio dashboard for day to day operational delivery, portfolio benefit summaries, and Federal Government progress reports.
Delivering Value to Reef Communities
The portfolio successfully invested the first $20.2 million grant without raising undue political interference. Selected projects ranged from large scale fertiliser and pesticide reduction programs to First Nations sea cadetships with a focus on Reef protection leading to a pathway to commercial maritime operations careers.
