Reef and Rainforest Research Centre (RRRC)

Reef and Rainforest Research Centre

Over 20 years, we have coordinated more than $600 million in large-scale, complex environmental research and management programs, translating world-class science into practical solutions that protect ecosystems and strengthen communities.

Through our network of more than 80 partners, including Traditional Owners, research institutions, governments, industry, and community organisations, we connect scientific expertise with the people and places where it can make the greatest difference.

Our capabilities span tropical marine and terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, water quality, climate change, and natural resource management. As a trusted knowledge broker, we facilitate collaborative research, strengthen regional capacity, and ensure scientific evidence informs policy, environmental management, and decision-making.

Our focus is on delivering lasting benefits for people, ecosystems, and regional economies.

Website

https://rrrc.org.au

Organisation type

• Not-for-profit

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

Suite F4 Level 1 The Conservatory Building 9 Abbot Street, Cairns QLD 4870

Strengths and capabilities

• Environmental research program design, coordination, and management
• Tropical marine and terrestrial ecosystem research
• Biodiversity conservation and ecological monitoring
• Great Barrier Reef and coastal ecosystem management
• Water quality and catchment management
• Climate change impacts, adaptation, and resilience
• Sustainable agriculture and fisheries management
• Invasive species and pest management
• Indigenous knowledge integration and co-designed research
• Traditional Owner partnerships and capacity building
• Community-based natural resource management
• Environmental data management, analysis, and synthesis
• Science communication and knowledge translation
• Research partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Research impact evaluation and evidence-based policy development

Lead researchers

• Dr Suzanne Long: Leads development of the Great Barrier Reef Regional Ocean Model (GBR ROMS), advancing ocean forecasting and evidence-based reef management.
• Dr Rickard Abom: Leads applied research into crown-of-thorns starfish control, invasive species management, and integrated catchment restoration through RCREST.
• Dr Tammie Matson: Specialises in biodiversity conservation, community-based natural resource management, and collaborative environmental programs in Papua New Guinea.

Achievements of the centre

• 2023 National Banksia Biodiversity Award: Crown-of-thorns starfish control program recognised for its science-based approach to protecting the Great Barrier Reef.
• 2023 National Banksia Agriculture and Regional Development Award: Mulgrave-Russell program recognised for reducing nitrogen runoff through agricultural partnerships.
• Mulgrave-Russell Water Quality Program: Engaged 82 sugarcane growers across 11,000 hectares, preventing over nine tonnes of nitrogen entering Reef waters annually.
• TOPCOTS Indigenous Training Program: Trained 19 Indigenous Rangers, including five Dive Masters and six accredited Coxswains, strengthening Indigenous reef management capabilities.
• Great Barrier Reef Regional Ocean Model: Commissioned high-resolution ocean forecasting technology, supported by field experiments collecting 2,823 GPS observations across 1,355 kilometres.

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Environment and nature
• Food and agriculture
• Social sciences
• Tropical