$20 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR SEQ WATERWAYS
Published Wednesday, 24 October, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
The State Government will spend $20 million over the next four years on improving and maintaining the health of waterways in south-east Queensland.
Speaking at the launch of the 2007 SEQ Healthy Waterways Report Card, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the region’s major river catchments and marine systems are under stress from population growth and development.
“The health of south-east Queensland’s diverse and important waterways - including Moreton Bay - is vital to maintaining and improving the lifestyles and livelihoods of our communities,” Mr McNamara said.
“Industries such as tourism, fisheries and recreation depend on the condition of our region’s waterways.
“The contemplation of a future characterised by increased population growth and urban and industrial development compels our unified commitment to maintain the quality of our waterways.
“Increased urbanisation and development will yield increases in sediment, nutrients and other pollutants entering waterways; modify natural flows; and decrease natural habitat areas – on land and in the water.
“The annual report card is an important tool to help us assess the success of past efforts towards improving the quality of our waterways, and an indicator of where we need to go in the future.
“The Queensland Government is working hard to ensure that the nexus between quantity and quality is assured, and is committed to seeing this synergistic relationship flourish.”
Mr McNamara said the Queensland Government has committed $20 million over the next four years towards the implementation of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007 –2012:
• $8 million for planning and delivering waterway restoration projects in high-risk catchments, and to helping landowners adopt sustainable land use practices to minimise water pollution loads entering our waterways;
• $4 million to reduce sediment and nutrient loads from development-related land clearing and stormwater run-off;
• $1.6 million to better manage and prevent coastal algal bloom hazards that deplete water quality and marine biodiversity; and
• $6.3 million for targeted communication and education programs, and investments in the vital science required to monitor progress.
In 2007–08, the State Government will invest more than $5.5 million in delivering the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy.
The strategy focuses on the following key areas:
• protection and conservation of high ecological value areas already contributing to good waterway health;
• management of pollution through wastewater reuse and discharge standards;
• management of non-urban sources of pollution by achieving good land management practices and addressing stream and gully erosion to achieve load reductions at the source; and
• management of urban sources through ‘water sensitive urban design’ in proposed and existing urban areas throughout SEQ.
Overall, the Strategy will also focus on increasing community awareness and motivation about the importance of maintaining clean waterways as central to our future sustainability.
“Sustainability is one of the crucial issues of modern times,” Mr McNamara said.
“Strategies to manage built and natural environmental pressures - and ensure our waterways’ ongoing health - are also a critical component of the South-east Queensland Regional Plan.
“Some of the outcomes in the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy won’t be delivered within the next five years, but making a start is essential if longterm goals are to be achieved.
“Maintaining our waterways in a healthy condition is an ongoing challenge, and one we must continue to meet to secure the prosperity of future generations.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Speaking at the launch of the 2007 SEQ Healthy Waterways Report Card, Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said the region’s major river catchments and marine systems are under stress from population growth and development.
“The health of south-east Queensland’s diverse and important waterways - including Moreton Bay - is vital to maintaining and improving the lifestyles and livelihoods of our communities,” Mr McNamara said.
“Industries such as tourism, fisheries and recreation depend on the condition of our region’s waterways.
“The contemplation of a future characterised by increased population growth and urban and industrial development compels our unified commitment to maintain the quality of our waterways.
“Increased urbanisation and development will yield increases in sediment, nutrients and other pollutants entering waterways; modify natural flows; and decrease natural habitat areas – on land and in the water.
“The annual report card is an important tool to help us assess the success of past efforts towards improving the quality of our waterways, and an indicator of where we need to go in the future.
“The Queensland Government is working hard to ensure that the nexus between quantity and quality is assured, and is committed to seeing this synergistic relationship flourish.”
Mr McNamara said the Queensland Government has committed $20 million over the next four years towards the implementation of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007 –2012:
• $8 million for planning and delivering waterway restoration projects in high-risk catchments, and to helping landowners adopt sustainable land use practices to minimise water pollution loads entering our waterways;
• $4 million to reduce sediment and nutrient loads from development-related land clearing and stormwater run-off;
• $1.6 million to better manage and prevent coastal algal bloom hazards that deplete water quality and marine biodiversity; and
• $6.3 million for targeted communication and education programs, and investments in the vital science required to monitor progress.
In 2007–08, the State Government will invest more than $5.5 million in delivering the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy.
The strategy focuses on the following key areas:
• protection and conservation of high ecological value areas already contributing to good waterway health;
• management of pollution through wastewater reuse and discharge standards;
• management of non-urban sources of pollution by achieving good land management practices and addressing stream and gully erosion to achieve load reductions at the source; and
• management of urban sources through ‘water sensitive urban design’ in proposed and existing urban areas throughout SEQ.
Overall, the Strategy will also focus on increasing community awareness and motivation about the importance of maintaining clean waterways as central to our future sustainability.
“Sustainability is one of the crucial issues of modern times,” Mr McNamara said.
“Strategies to manage built and natural environmental pressures - and ensure our waterways’ ongoing health - are also a critical component of the South-east Queensland Regional Plan.
“Some of the outcomes in the SEQ Healthy Waterways Strategy won’t be delivered within the next five years, but making a start is essential if longterm goals are to be achieved.
“Maintaining our waterways in a healthy condition is an ongoing challenge, and one we must continue to meet to secure the prosperity of future generations.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004