Who we are

The Cooperative Research Centre for the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area is implemented by a research and development company, CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd (ABN 62 089 499 034) which is limited by guarantee. It operates through a Board which has an independent Chair with private sector and user group representatives.

Our members

CRC Reef Research Centre Ltd is a collaborative venture with the following organisations:

• Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators (AMPTO)
• Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS)
• Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA)
• Great Barrier Reef Research Foundation (GBRRF)
• James Cook University (JCU)
• Queensland Seafood Industry Association (QSIA)
• The State of Queensland through its Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F)
• SUNFISH Queensland Inc.

The University of Queensland is an associate member.

Registered Research Agency

CRC Reef Research Centre Limited is a Registered Research Agency (RRA) under AusIndustry's Registered Research Agency Program. This means that the centre is capable of carrying out contracted Australian R&D on behalf of eligible companies in the following classes of activity listed under the program: Oceanography; Information Systems and Technologies; Other General Engineering; Ecology; and Fisheries Science.

RRAs offer their clients a number of advantages including:

• Expenditure for Australian R&D work contracted to an RRA within approved classes of activity is eligible for the full 150 percent deduction in the year of income, irrespective of the annual R&D expenditure of the claimant, i.e. the normal annual expenditure threshold of $20,000 does not apply;
• Prepayments for contract Australian R&D may be claimed by companies up to 12 months in advance of the work being carried out.

For further information contact Ms Michelle Warrington by email on michelle.warrington@crcreef.com.

Structure and management

The CRC Reef Board comprises an independent Chairman and 11 Directors. Board members at 30 June 2005 were:

Sir S Schubert, BE, BA, GDip (Highways & Traffic), GDip (Bus Admin), independent Chairman
Mr M Burgess, Deputy Chairman, AMPTO
Hon V Chadwick, BA, DipEd, Chair, GBRMPA
Dr I Poiner, Director, AIMS
Mr D Hutchen, Chair, AMPTO
Mr P Neville, BEcon (Hons), Deputy Director General, Fisheries Group, DPI&F
Professor N Palmer, BSc (Hons), PhD, Pro Vice Chancellor (Research & International), JCU
Mr M Pope, LLB
Mr W Sawynok, AssocDip Land Surveying, Research Officer, Sunfish
Mr N Green, QSIA
Mrs J Stewart, LLB, Executive Director, GBRRF
Professor D Siddle, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research), UQ

The Alternate Board members as at June 2005 were Mr I Gordon (AMPTO), Mr C McKenzie (AMPTO), Mr A Pelt (AMPTO), Dr D Wachenfeld (GBRMPA), Dr P Isdale (GBRRF), Professor H Marsh (JCU), Mr C Bishop (DPI&F) and Mr V Veitch (Sunfish).

The Board receives comprehensive business reports at each meeting to enable it to assess company performance, financial status and conformance to all requirements of the company, whether they come from legislation or obligation to members and stakeholders. An audit committee reviews the external audit reports once per year and advises the Board accordingly. The Board evaluates its own performance and that of management through an annual survey. A procedure exists for disclosure and recording of conflict of interest. Details of CRC Reef organisational structure are listed below.

A set of standing committees advises the CRC Reef Board and assists CRC Reef management. These are the Board Executive Committee (BEC); Task Review Committee (TRC); Audit Committee; Intellectual Property Committee; and Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

The Board Executive Committee provides guidance to management between quarterly full Board meetings; undertakes the role of Audit Committee; reviews Board performance and operations including remuneration matters; examines funding opportunities; and advises the Board on the above matters. The Committee met three times during the year. Membership at 30 June 2005 was Sir S Schubert (Chairman), Dr Russell Reichelt (CEO), Dr Ian Poiner (AIMS), The Hon V Chadwick (GBRMPA), Ms J Stewart (GBRRF) and Professor N Palmer (JCU).

The Task Review Committee reviews tasks and policy proposals on behalf of members of CRC Reef and advises and makes recommendations to the Board on such matters. The membership at 30 June 2005 was Sir S Schubert (Chairman), Dr I Poiner (AIMS), Mr C McKenzie (AMPTO), Dr D Wachenfeld (GBRMPA), Mrs J Stewart (GBRRF), Professor N Palmer (JCU), Ms A Clarke (DPI&F), Mr N Green (QSIA) and Mr V Veitch (Sunfish).

The Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) provides scientific and technical advice to the Board through the CEO and Task Review Committee on the research and technology transfer aspects of CRC Reef’s programs. The committee met on four occasions and membership as at 30 June 2005 was Dr D Williams (Chairman), Professor R Reichelt (CEO); Program Leaders, Social Science Representative, Postgraduate Student, Mr C McKenzie (AMPTO), Dr L McCook & Mr J Innes (GBRMPA), Dr R Johnston, UQ and Mrs J Stewart (GBRRF).

The Intellectual Property Committee provides advice to the Board through the CEO and membership as at 30 June 2005 was Professor R Reichelt (Chairman), Ms S Riding (AIMS), Ms F McDonald (GBRMPA), Mr J Taylor (JCU) and Dr P Isdale (UQ).

The Indigenous Working Group (IWG), with a majority of Indigenous representatives, advises CRC Reef on developing and implementing the Indigenous Engagement Strategy.The IWG met twice during the year to advise on appropriate communication channels and the development of protocols for CRC Reef researchers engaging with Indigenous people. Members at 30 June 2005 were Ms B Barnett (CRC Reef), Ms L Craig (Indigenous Conservation Coordination Unit, EPA); Ms M George (Wulgurukaba Aboriginal Corporation and NRM State Indigenous Network Coordinator), Mr V Jose (Torres Strait Mainland Community), Ms M Nursey-Bray (CRC Reef researcher), Dr S Pannell (Program Manager, Rainforest CRC), Mr P Rist (Girringun Aboriginal Corporation), Mr C Turner (Indigenous Policy Liaison Unit, GBRMPA).

In addition, task- or issue-specific committees (Effects of Fishing Steering Committee, Seabed Biodiversity Steering Committee, Catchment to Reef Steering Committee, Water Quality and Ecosystem Monitoring Programs Management Steering Committee) have assisted cooperation and integration in research programs and tasks.

The Board has developed effective systems to manage resources contributed to CRC Reef. Processes undertaken in the development and approval stages of research tasks ensure that they are scientifically rigorous and relevant to end-users. The Board approves the tasks after advice from the SAC and TRC. All research tasks are reviewed in December (checking progress) and June/July (full review of progress and achievements against milestones).