Reef Water Quality Report Card 2021-2022

LATEST RESULTS RELEASED

19 June 2024

The Reef Water Quality Report Card helps us track how well we are progressing towards our water quality improvement and catchment management targets outlined in the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

These results are produced by the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program (Paddock to Reef program), which evaluates and reports on catchment management, reductions in terrestrial pollutant run-off discharging to the Reef and links on-ground practice changes with water quality outcomes.

The latest report card is based on data for the 2021 and 2022 reporting periods, which were comparatively dry years.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Sediment: Target met in Mulgrave-Russell catchments
  • Particulate Phosphorus: Targets met in Mulgrave-Russell, Tully and Murray catchments.
  • Particular Nitrogen: Targets met in Mulgrave-Russell and Murray catchments.
  • Pesticides: Targets met in Daintree, Barron catchments and the pesticide risk improved to Very Good for the first time in the Murray catchment.
  • Ground cover: Targets met in the Barron and Herbert catchments.

Farmers have been working hard over the past 15 years making practice changes with support from the Australian and Queensland governments. In the Wet Tropics, the focus has been on reducing sediment, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) (from excess fertilisers) and pesticide runoff. These results show that we are making progress but it’s not fast enough and, in some catchments, much more work is needed to meet the targets.

What Next?

The Wet Tropics continues to be a hotspot for DIN runoff due to high rainfall, short sharp rivers and intensive agriculture along the coastal plain. Progress has been made but more work needs to be done.

Sediment runoff from streambank erosion is also an issue that needs more work, particularly in light of recent flood events.

Currently, more government funding is in the process of being released and community consultation is beginning to help shape the next phase of Reef water quality programs.

To find out more:

DOWNLOAD: Summary of Wet Tropics Results

LINK: https://www.reefplan.qld.gov.au/tracking-progress/reef-report-card/2021-22

Keeping topsoil on the land

Keeping topsoil on the land

Template 1 Landscape repair Water
How 7 years of projects solved erosion problems, helping landholders and the Reef...
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Farm wetlands to improve water quality

Farm wetlands to improve water quality

Corporate Water Template 1
Monitoring at two constructed wetlands on farmland is helping to maximise their impact...
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Restoring Daintree wetlands

Restoring Daintree wetlands

Template 1 Corporate Water
Flood-damaged riverbank will be repaired and nearby wetlands restored in a new project.
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