News & Events

On 11th October 2007, the Queensland EPA kindly supported the Burdekin CCI team  by  running an expert panel workshop  to determine the high ecological values (HEVs) of the Burdekin waterbodies and waterways. Over twenty five experts on the Burdekin region gathered in Townsville for a full day of lively discussion which aimed to:

• review ‘default’ and ‘potential’ HEV waterways in the Burdekin region
  
• review representativeness of HEVs by stream/wetland type
• determine adequate representation of different stream/wetland types
  
• identify any remnant ecological values in modified waterways.

HEVs  were determined based on the following:

• draft ‘default’ HEVs.  These were based on existing protected areas, eg National Park, World Heritage
• additional ‘potential’ HEVs based on 1) other conservation listings 2) previous technical assessments
• review of representation of different stream/wetland types by default and potential HEVs

Wetland in the Upper Burdekin near Valley of Lagoons.  Photo: S. Connor

The expert panel used various sources of information in the process of identifying HEV waterways. These included reports from ACTFR and others, the Water Resource Plan for the Burdekin, State of the Rivers  reports and GBR wetlands mapping, amongst others.

Results from the discussion on agreed HEV waterbodies were recorded and  are currently being  mapped by the EPA.  The proposed HEV waterways will then be presented  back to the Burdekin CCI, reviewed by the expert panel  and submitted for public consultation.  Once there is agreement on HEVs, these will form part of the WQIP's water quality objectives and become part of the WQIP  target setting process.

Workshop session with Ian Dight.  Photo:S.Connor

On 20-21 September, the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM hosted a two day forum at Riverway for professionals involved in monitoring our region’s waterways. The forum, aptly named “Link Up”, was organised by the BDT NRM together with Creek to Coral, NRW, ACTFR and EPA. The idea was to provide an opportunity for different agencies and organisations to get together under one roof to showcase and discuss the water quality monitoring activities they are undertaking in our region

The Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan and Ross Black Water Quality Improvement Plan, since both are based in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region, were central to the Link Up forum as future monitoring strategies need to be developed for both WQIPs and coordinated within the BDT region.

Presentations at “LinkUp” highlighted the wide range of water quality monitoring activities currently being undertaken in our region. These include small or “paddock” scale monitoring for nutrients and pesticides leaving farms to large scale monitoring of water bodies such as the GBR lagoon.

The “Link Up” forum also provided the opportunity to discuss a number of other topics relevant to water quality monitoring. The idea of developing a set of local water quality guidelines ( applicable to the Burdekin Dry tropics region) was widely discussed, also, participants recognised the value of community support in water quality monitoring and it was suggested that community programs be encouraged to expand. Participants at the Link Up forum ranged from representatives from state and federal government agencies such as NRW, QEPA, QDPI&F, Dept. of Defence, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; researchers and scientists from James Cook University, the Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research and CSIRO; members of the Townsville and Thuringowa City Councils, including Creek to Coral; the Townsville Port Authority, Conservation Volunteers Australia plus numerous representatives from the agricultural, mining and other sectors and private consultants, all of whom take an active role in monitoring the waterways.

Questions on monitoring in the agricultural sector. Link Up 2007.  Photo S. Connor.

Forum: 6th June, Seagulls resort in Townsville

Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM and  BSES, with the collaboration of Canegrowers Ltd.  jointly organised a forum to discuss pesticide management in the Lower Burdekin. Click here for more information.

As part of the process of developing a Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) for the Burdekin region, the Burdekin WQIP Steering Committee participated in a half day workshop on 26 April in Ayr to agree on what needs to change to improve water quality and how those changes may be implemented.

The workshop discussion focussed on refining a conceptual model for water quality improvement and developing an Adaptive Management Framework for taking the plan forward to implementation and beyond. The workshop provided a forum for the exchange of ideas by Steering Committee members and other participants from diverse backgrounds.

Burdekin WQIP steering committee in session

Dr Ian Dight, Program Manager for the Coastal Catchments Initiative working with the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM, presented an update of the progress of the development of the WQIP and an indication of the next steps in plan development.

Dr Kathleen Broderick, from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, facilitated the workshop, presenting the results of interviews carried out earlier in the year aimed at gauging stakeholder’s thoughts on establishing a model for improving water quality.

Dr Broderick facilitates the workshop

The discussion highlighted the complexity of interactions relating to water quality improvement, the diversity of water quality issues facing the Burdekin region and the importance of involving the wider Burdekin community at all stages of development of the WQIP.

The need for an adaptive management framework to facilitate the WQIP was clearly supported by all workshop participants. An adaptive management approach provides a flexible and more responsive approach to ‘change’ in NRM. One of the workshop’s activities included a discussion of the range of factors that could necessitate change in a WQIP. Factors included biophysical changes to the landscape, economic and social changes and ranged from land use changes, climate change, shifts in community expectations, institutional engagement, to name but a few.

It is anticipated that the  adaptive management framework for the WQIP will be finalised and endorsed by the WQIP Steering Committee at the next meeting.