Townsville City Council is working to further improve the quality of the water that flows to the Great Barrier Reef.
Council has received more than $450,000 through the Queensland Government's Reef Water Quality Program to develop the Bohle River Catchment Offsets Roadmap.
The project will identify specific sites for stormwater quality improvement devices on Council owned or controlled land in the catchment.
Community Health, Safety and Environmental Sustainability chairperson Margie Ryder said Council is keen to reduce its impact on the reef.
"Excessive nutrients promote algal growth which negatively impacts corals in our in-shore reef areas," Cr Ryder said.
"Improvements in the catchment may reduce the need for an expensive upgrade at the Condon Water Purification Plant so this approach should save ratepayers money."
Cr Ryder said the expected benefits also include job creation, improved biodiversity and more shade in the catchment.
"Council could trade off water emissions from its Condon plant with improved stormwater management in our urban areas so it is a good time to explore our options in the catchment," Cr Ryder said.
"This plan will guide us moving forward – our local waterways and inshore reefs are a key part of the ecosystem and it's important to reduce the impact of our urban areas."
