Reef to benefit from environment budget

The Great Barrier Reef will benefit from a $535.8 million program to improve water quality and control pests.

The five-year reef package is the centrepiece of the environment budget and, combined with philanthropic and other funding sources, "will improve water quality, control crown-of-thorns starfish and boost science for reef restoration", Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg said in a statement on Tuesday.

The budget also includes $13 million a year for Antarctic research and $5.3 million in annual grants for heritage sites and groups.