First full Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef report card released

The Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef report card released today (Tuesday) delivers mixed results for local waterways, according to Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Dr Steven Miles.

Dr Miles said the results of the report card – developed by the Mackay Whitsunday Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership – were generally consistent with last year.

“Some areas improved primarily due to lower rainfall than average. For example, water quality in the Whitsunday region improved from a D to a B,” Dr Miles said.

“The offshore marine area continues to be the only zone to score a B overall.

“Water quality in this zone again scored an A and ranked highest regionally. Importantly, the number of juvenile coral has increased in the offshore marine zone – a positive indicator for reef health.

“Contaminants like pesticides continue to be an issue in freshwater streams particularly the Plane Creek, Sandy Creek and Rocky Dam Creek which received an E for contaminants and the Pioneer River which received a D.

“By tracking trends, the community has a better understanding of the health of their local waterways and can decide what further management actions are needed,” he said.

The 2015 Report Card details the environmental, economic, social and cultural health of the region’s waterways, including the adjacent Great Barrier Reef.

It is first full report card prepared by the Partnership - which draws members from across the community, industry, research groups and governments - following the release of the pilot report card a year ago.

Dr Miles said the report card built on the pilot with a range of new data including cultural heritage indicators which recognise the importance of understanding the value and condition of Indigenous cultural heritage sites.

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert thanked the Mackay Whitsunday Traditional Owner Reference Group, which helped assess the many cultural heritage sites in the region.

“This report card is also an excellent example of how to integrate over $4 million of existing monitoring and reporting actions at a regional scale,” Ms Gilbert said.

“However, we recognise further work is required to provide a complete picture of the health of the region’s waterways. This report card highlights some important information gaps that we will try to fill in the future.”

Dr Miles said the stewardship ratings for agriculture and other industries assessed the management of the region’s natural resources.

“While there is always room for improvement, the stewardship results show the positive actions being undertaken by different industries and land managers," he said.

The development of regional report card partnerships at major ports and priority catchments, such as Mackay Whitsunday, is an action under the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan.

The Queensland Government has committed $6 million over four years to support regional waterway health report cards including those for Gladstone Harbour, Mackay Whitsunday and the Wet Tropics regions. The program will also expand to the Townsville/Burdekin region.

“These regional partnerships demonstrate our unwavering commitment to protect the iconic Great Barrier Reef and ensure local communities are better informed about waterway health issues," Dr Miles said.

To view the report card, go to http://healthyriverstoreef.org.au/

ENDS

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