Partnership Formed to Improve Water Quality

A program to monitor and improve the health of North Queensland waterways from the rivers to the Reef was launched in Mackay today.

Chief Executive of the Queensland Resources Council (QRC) Michael Roche, who was at the launch, said that the QRC was proud to be a financial contributor to get off the ground the Mackay-Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef partnership, which will assess waterway health from Abbot Point to south of Mackay.

“The health of the Great Barrier Reef and our waterways is of vital importance to our communities, our governments and all the industries that operate alongside, or within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park,” Mr Roche said.

“This is yet another example of the partnerships that have been formed to improve the water quality in and adjacent to the Reef.

“Funding has come from a variety of sectors, including from the QRC, to ensure that we have a fact-based and scientific approach to target the biggest threats to the health of North Queensland waterways.

“An annual report card will be produced and cover catchments of the Don, O’Connell, Proserpine, Pioneer and Plane basins, the urban area of Mackay, the ports of Abbot Point, Mackay and Hay Point, marinas and the coastal marine area,” Mr Roche said.

The report card will specifically report on the health of freshwater rivers, wetlands, estuaries, near shore coastal and marine environments.

“This is the third initiative of its type along the Great Barrier Reef coastline and the QRC is proud to be involved with all of them,” Mr Roche said.