Tackling pollution in South-East Queensland waterways is high on the agenda for the Department of Environment and Science allocating $5 million in funds to deal with it over the next three years.
According to the Department, the funding will support continuing efforts to reduce sediment runoff into local rivers and creeks, as well as important monitoring and report card programs.
Programs to benefit include Healthy Land and Water, Growcom Australia and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ agronomic research projects.
Minister for the Environment, Meaghan Scanlon said the projects were built on the work already done across the region and would implement actions to help address some of the key water-quality pressures facing South-East Queensland in the future.
She said key outcomes from the water quality programs included the delivery of multiple assessments of erosion and sediment control practices; reduced sediment, nutrient and pesticides entering local waterways and flowing to the Pumicestone Passage and Moreton Bay, and more innovative agronomic research to reduce nutrient and pesticide application.
Chief Executive of Healthy Land and Water, Julie McLellan said that as the pressures on South-East Queensland water quality rise with increasing population, development and climate change, initiatives such these become critical.
“The latest funding will support the work being undertaken to improve the health of our waterways and catchments, iconic Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) and the other natural assets of the region,” Ms McLellan said.
