First Nations
Living Coral Biobank
Hub Network
A key part of the Forever Reef Project is the leadership of Traditional Custodians — caring for coral on Country, as they have cared for these waters for generations.
The Forever Reef First Nations Hub Network is beginning with a pilot hub — an onshore, containerised, community-led facility that enables Traditional Custodians to collect and care for coral on Country, while building meaningful jobs, skills and future pathways within communities and laying the foundation for a broader network.
These hubs are living places of knowledge and action, where culture and science come together — inspiring hope and resilience for the future of the Reef.
With a mission as urgent as it is ambitious, the Forever Reef Project is a deeply collaborative undertaking to preserve the Great Barrier Reef’s coral biodiversity for generations to come.
At the heart of this effort is the Forever Reef First Nations Living Coral Biobank Hub Network—containerised, community-led facilities that enable Traditional Custodians to collect and care for coral on Country.
In partnership with Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation and Yirrganydji Traditional Custodians, Great Barrier Reef Legacy is proud to be establishing the world’s first containerised Living Coral Biobank in Cairns.
Created to safeguard coral biodiversity across cultural and geographic regions, these facilities nurture strong, supportive places for conservation, education, research and community leadership.
Our long-term vision is a series of First Nations-led living biobank hubs spanning Bundaberg to the Torres Strait—and eventually supporting reef communities across Australia and around the world. Together, these hubs will help protect the full diversity of hard coral species found on the Great Barrier Reef and, ultimately, globally.
Each hub is guided by community decision-making, supported by sustainable business models, and designed to create local skills, jobs and career pathways for First Nations people.
These hubs are places where cultural knowledge and science stand side-by-side, inspiring new hope for the future of the Reef.
How the network is rolling out
The Forever Reef First Nations Hub Network is being delivered in stages:
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Engagement, planning and development of the Hub Network model.
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Establishing the Dawul Wuru Pilot Hub in Cairns—the first proof-of-concept facility.
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Insights from the pilot hub will guide expansion across the Reef, supporting Traditional Custodians interested in developing their own living coral biobank.
Our Shared Vision
The Dawul Wuru Pilot Hub is the first step in building a network of coral care facilities—managed by Traditional Custodians from Bundaberg to the Torres Strait.
These hubs will protect coral biodiversity, support local jobs, strengthen cultural knowledge, expand education opportunities and deepen Sea Country partnerships.
From Yirrganydji Country, this pilot is shaping a community-led future for Reef protection
Dawul Wuru Pilot Hub: A World-First
A Milestone for Coral Conservation
Great Barrier Reef Legacy and the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation are establishing the world’s first containerised Living Coral Biobank. Over the past year, this partnership has taken the project from concept to construction—marking a breakthrough moment in community-driven coral stewardship.
From Concept to Construction
Planning is complete and the build is underway. Hub containers are now on-site and being fitted out with advanced life-support systems. Two purpose-built tanks will safely house living coral specimens, and a solar awning will provide shelter for the containers and meeting areas while fully powering the facility.
Building Capacity on Country
A major focus is training and skills development. Yirrganydji Land and Sea Dawul Wuru rangers have completed extensive coral-care training at GBRL’s Forever Reef Port Douglas facility. A shared employment model is being co-designed to support long-term, community-led operations. Great Barrier Reef Legacy and project partners will continue to provide support throughout the hub’s development and operations.
Preparing for Activation
Revenue opportunities and research collaboration protocols are being developed to ensure a culturally grounded, financially sustainable future. As construction continues, the team is finalising systems installation, strengthening community engagement elements and preparing for a staged opening once training and infrastructure are complete.
The Dawul Wuru Pilot Hub is setting a new global benchmark—uniting cultural knowledge with scientific expertise to care for coral and Country, and to inspire the next generation of Reef custodians.