The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is the Australian Government agency responsible for managing the Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage-listed natural wonder.
GBRMPA was operating in a high profile and rapidly-changing environment. The health of the Reef was deteriorating, bringing increased attention, and with it an increased focus from other organisations.
The key threats to the Reef – climate change, poor water quality, coastal development and fishing – were mostly outside GBRMPA’s control. GBRMPA was concerned it was being distracted from its core responsibilities and was spreading its resources too thin, so it engaged Nous Group to undertake a strategic review of its work program.
Nous took a three-step approach to the project. We:
Nous delivered a compelling strategic narrative that inspired 11 detailed recommendations for a new prioritised work program, organisational design improvements and cultural changes. We presented these recommendations as a roadmap, each with an attached timeframe and responsibility.
GBRMPA is implementing these changes with support from Nous. It convened a Reef Summit with diverse stakeholders to agree on a way to increase the resilience of coral reefs. External stakeholders have said GBRMPA’s new direction, focusing on partnership and collaboration, is positive and unprecedented. Nous is continuing to work with GBRMPA to embed these changes, including developing a detailed work program and developing performance measures.
