Improving water quality

More than 140 people have been part of community workshops focused on the next 10 years of investment in water quality improvements for the Wet Tropics region’s nine river catchments.

From Cardwell to the Tablelands and Cairns, workshops have brought together landholders, industries, traditional owners, river catchment groups and local government. Workshops are also happening further north, in Mossman and the Daintree region, in coming months.

New strategy to guide investment in water quality programs

Terrain NRM’s Charles Hammond said the sessions would help to guide strategic investment in land-based water quality programs over the next decade. Terrain is being funded through the Australian Government’s Reef Trust program to lead the development of catchment priorities.

Identifying regional priorities

“In the workshops, we’ve been identifying regional priorities,’’ Charles said. “We’ve also been looking for opportunities that’ll maximise investment by delivering multiple benefits to the environment and local communities.

“The response has been great. People are telling us how useful it is to talk with other industries and groups, and to share information about a wide range of past, current and future projects and resources.

“They’re seeing just how many organisations are working towards improvements for river catchments and water quality, and the value of working together.”

He said a huge amount of effort and investment had already gone into improving reef water quality over the last 15 years, and good progress had been made.

“There has been significant work with landholders on farm management practice changes to improve everything from the land and production to the quality of water leaving properties.