World's longest water-monitoring network to protect reef
Published Friday, 14 March, 2008 at 06:30 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Natural Resources and Water and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland
The Honourable Craig Wallace
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Mackay: The State Government has established the world’s longest water-monitoring network – covering 1500 kilometres of coastline - to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said scientists from the Department of NR&W had installed complex monitoring equipment at 30 collection stations over the 1500 kms in the past two years.
“This huge network can more accurately track sediment, nutrient and chemical levels in the rivers and creeks which send water out to the reef. It will monitor very large flow events such as the recent floods,” said the Premier.
“It will allow Queensland scientists to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from Queensland river catchments onto the Great Barrier Reef.
“While the Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring water quality for a long time, we are stepping up monitoring efforts as part of my Government’s commitment to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan,” she said.
The Protection Plan is a 10-year project between the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments
Mr Wallace said that this project is a key part of the Reef Plan because it will help our researchers to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from our catchments into the Great Barrier Reef.
“Once our scientists know how much sediment and pollutants are finding their way to the Reef, we will be able to determine the best way to improve water quality.”
Mr Wallace said new and upgraded water monitoring sites included Kalpowar, Mareeba, the Herbert River near Ingham, Pioneer River, the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton and several locations across the Burnett region.
“Most monitoring locations are on the coast or near to it, however, several are well inland monitoring water quality in the higher reaches of some rivers,” he said..
The information from the network will be used to prepare catchment models, which determine trends and can work out how increasing ground cover or revegetating waterways improves water quality.
Scientists are now collecting data from the new monitoring sites. However, it could take several years to prepare meaningful comparisons between seasons, taking into account unusual weather events - such as floods or drought.
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan is a 10-year project between the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
Media contact: Minister’s Office 3896 3698
Premier Anna Bligh and Minister for Natural Resources and Water Craig Wallace said scientists from the Department of NR&W had installed complex monitoring equipment at 30 collection stations over the 1500 kms in the past two years.
“This huge network can more accurately track sediment, nutrient and chemical levels in the rivers and creeks which send water out to the reef. It will monitor very large flow events such as the recent floods,” said the Premier.
“It will allow Queensland scientists to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from Queensland river catchments onto the Great Barrier Reef.
“While the Department of Natural Resources has been monitoring water quality for a long time, we are stepping up monitoring efforts as part of my Government’s commitment to the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan,” she said.
The Protection Plan is a 10-year project between the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments
Mr Wallace said that this project is a key part of the Reef Plan because it will help our researchers to better predict how much sediment and pollutants are travelling from our catchments into the Great Barrier Reef.
“Once our scientists know how much sediment and pollutants are finding their way to the Reef, we will be able to determine the best way to improve water quality.”
Mr Wallace said new and upgraded water monitoring sites included Kalpowar, Mareeba, the Herbert River near Ingham, Pioneer River, the Fitzroy River near Rockhampton and several locations across the Burnett region.
“Most monitoring locations are on the coast or near to it, however, several are well inland monitoring water quality in the higher reaches of some rivers,” he said..
The information from the network will be used to prepare catchment models, which determine trends and can work out how increasing ground cover or revegetating waterways improves water quality.
Scientists are now collecting data from the new monitoring sites. However, it could take several years to prepare meaningful comparisons between seasons, taking into account unusual weather events - such as floods or drought.
The Reef Water Quality Protection Plan is a 10-year project between the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
Media contact: Minister’s Office 3896 3698