Queenslanders to set new water quality targets

The Palaszczuk Government’s is asking Queenslanders to help set new water quality targets for the Great Barrier Reef and other catchments.

Environment Minister Steven Miles announced in Cairns today (Monday) the start of community consultation to update the Environmental Protection Policy for Water to protect the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland’s part of the Murray-Darling Basin and south east Queensland (SEQ) waters.

“Water quality affects every local community, which is why I am asking local communities to comment on the draft water quality objectives,” Mr Miles said.

"Whether you fish, swim, sail or just enjoy spending time around our waterways, I want to hear what you think about water quality.

“Once we set targets for water quality we can work with Councils, industry and farmers to achieve those targets.

“Protecting and improving water quality underpins thousands of jobs dependent on good water quality and the huge economic contribution to Queensland’s economy from tourism, recreation, agriculture and mining..

“Extensive background analysis has been completed by the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection in collaboration with other departments and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to prepare the consultation information.

“This information is based on the most comprehensive local water quality datasets yet assembled by the Department.”

Mr Miles said this work addressed priority actions under the Reef 2050 Plan, the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and the development of SEQ sustainable loads targets to improve water quality of Moreton Bay’s marine waters of international significance.

“The release of the consultation information is another example of the Palaszczuk Government working with the community and industry, and I look forward to receiving broad community comment”.

Dr Miles invited the community and industry to make submissions through the department’s website, the Queensland Government ‘Get involved’ website and through social media, before the closure of consultation on 31 May 2017.

www.ehp.qld.gov.au or https://www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au//

ENDS

MEDIA 0422 580 342