Fixing the Broken River
The Sustainable Landscapes Project is a cross-regional
partnership between BDTNRM and Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource
Management Group. We are re-focusing natural resource management
attention on the Eungella community where we hope to
‘fix’ the ‘Broken’ River, primarily by
focusing on grazing practices, native vegetation and riparian
zones. Working with BDTNRM and MWNRM are the Queensland Parks
Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Landholders,
Eungella Business Association and Eungella Community. The
Sustainable Landscapes project is divided into two parts:
1. Platypus Futures - focusing on the upper Broken
catchment
Located in the Broken River region above the platypus viewing
area, the Platypus Futures project is working with landholders to
improve water quality in Broken River. The Broken River has had
water quality problems for several years. Frequent algal blooms and
extremely high faecal coliforms continue to impact on the waterway
health. The decline in water quality in the Broken River catchment
is threatening the tourism values of the area and E. coli
contamination in Broken River have been at levels considered unsafe
for swimming by the EPA in previous years.
Peter Alden, local Sustainable Landscapes Project Officer, said
'the damage has been done, high nutrients are sitting in the mud at
the bottom of the creek so we need to reduce excess nutrient loads
coming into the river and let natural processes reduce the high
nutrient load already there'.
Above: John Graftdyk and Peter Alden
Peter Alden and Jon Graftdyk, the Mackay Whitsunday Natural
Resource Management Group’s Sustainable Landscapes Project
Manager, aim to improve water quality to the point where the
‘no swimming’ sign at Broken River in the National Park
can be removed.
‘Watch this space.’ Peter said.
2. Sustainable Landscapes in the Bowen and Broken
Catchments
Landscape function and water quality improvement downstream from
the Broken River National Park Picnic Area and platypus viewing
area, in the Broken and Broken catchments is the focus of the
second component of the Sustainable Landscapes Program.
In the first six months of this project, Peter Alden will
contact landholders to assess the best way to provide technical and
financial assistance to those who want to modify farming practices
to incorporate improved environmental outcomes.
Peter said, ‘We will be talking to landholders, evaluating
projects, and together figuring out how to best assist them with
new ways to increase their productivity and sustainability whilst
reducing their environmental footprint ‘ One of the bonuses
that come from sustainable farming practices is improved water
quality, and this can be achieved by actions such as fencing off
and revegetating drainage lines, and keeping stock away from
watercourses.
Peter Alden has been an active and passionate Landcarer
for many years. He has a wealth of botanical information and has
learnt from many years of hands-on experience.
He remembers a very active upper catchment Landcare group in the
Eungella region 15 years ago and hopes to renew this level of
energy by reforming a Landcare–type group with the community
so they can all continue to make a contribution in their area.
‘Firstly, we will gauge community interest’, Peter
said.
Ultimately , Peter hopes a group combining the interests of
farmers, rural block holders and community members will once again
be working together to take care of their country.
Peter will hold landholder meetings in the region and will
notify people via this newsletter and a series of posters to be
displayed around the community. You can also catch up on activities
via BDTNRM’s fortnightly newsletter and on the BDTNRM
website.
Peter hopes to have had phone contact with every land holder
within the next six months.
“If you haven’t seen me within that time, give me a
ring”, he said. Peter can be contacted on Mob: 040712104
Peter Arthofer, BDTNRM Community Engagement Facilitator, and
Peter Alden will be working together on the Sustainable Landscapes
project.