Australia website. Program output and outcome performance Monitoring performance against agreed actions and (Appendix C) provides key performance indicators The Reef Trust program logic (Appendix A) the Department with up-to-date project level data to provides a visual interpretation of the connection indicate the progress and performance of delivery of between the actions, outputs and four outcomes of the project outputs and project outcomes against specified Reef Trust. This also establishes the points where Reef Trust outcomes. Reporting through MERIT assumptions are made in the choice of actions and enables the Department to meet the Australian outputs to deliver against the Reef Trust outcomes. National Audit Office’s requirement of reporting by The Reef Trust program logic also provides the outcomes, enabling continuous improvement and opportunity to accountability for the use of public funds. While identify key evaluation questions (Appendix B) to test this site allows public access to location, name and these assumptions and inform options for adaptive description of projects, it does not allow the public to management of the program. monitor progress. Performance of the Reef Outcomes one, two and three are assessed through the effectiveness of projects Impact monitoring in completing their outputs and measured and modelled impacts in relation to water quality, health and The impact of Reef Trust investments are monitored resilience of coastal habitats and improvements in through a number of processes. These include: marine biodiversity. The impacts of investments in quality, coastal habitat protection and improvements Monitoring and reporting of Outcome four will and protection of marine biodiversity will be consider outcomes from projects implemented with monitored through the . This program will draw on offset funding and evaluate how the activities have existing monitoring programs and collaboration addressed the residual adverse environmental impacts similar to the Paddock to Reef Program. This is of an action on the environment in the Great Barrier currently under development Reef World Heritage Area. to secure essential status and trend information Progress of the Reef Trust program investments to inform periodical reporting requirements are monitored six monthly and reported annually under the Reef 2050 Plan, including the through the (MERIT) located on Atlas of Living 2019 Outlook report. 7
Program output and outcome performance The Reef Trust program logic (Appendix A) provides a visual interpretation of the connection between the actions, outputs and four outcomes of the Reef Trust. This also establishes the points where assumptions are made in the choice of actions and outputs to deliver against the Reef Trust outcomes. The Reef Trust program logic also provides the opportunity to identify key evaluation questions (Appendix B) to test these assumptions and inform options for adaptive management of the program. Performance of the Reef Outcomes one, two and three are assessed through the effectiveness of projects in completing their outputs and measured and modelled impacts in relation to water quality, health and resilience of coastal habitats and improvements in marine biodiversity. Monitoring and reporting of Outcome four will consider outcomes from projects implemented with offset funding and evaluate how the activities have addressed the residual adverse environmental impacts of an action on the environment in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Progress of the Reef Trust program investments are monitored six monthly and reported annually through the (MERIT) located on Atlas of Living Australia website. Monitoring performance against agreed actions and key performance indicators (Appendix C) provides the Department with up-to-date project level data to indicate the progress and performance of delivery of project outputs and project outcomes against specified Reef Trust outcomes. Reporting through MERIT enables the Department to meet the Australian National Audit Office’s requirement of reporting by outcomes, enabling continuous improvement and accountability for the use of public funds. While this site allows public access to location, name and description of projects, it does not allow the public to monitor progress. Impact monitoring The impact of Reef Trust investments are monitored through a number of processes. These include: The impacts of investments in quality, coastal habitat protection and improvements and protection of marine biodiversity will be monitored through the . This program will draw on existing monitoring programs and collaboration similar to the Paddock to Reef Program. This is currently under development to secure essential status and trend information to inform periodical reporting requirements under the Reef 2050 Plan, including the 2019 Outlook report. 7
reef-trust-monitoring-reporting.docx