- Integrated projects are providing critical habitat for threatened species and improving water quality in the Mary River catchment.
- The $2 million integrated projects involve genuine environmental action to improve water quality to protect the Great Barrier Reef.
- Key outcomes include increased Mary River cod spawning and reduced sediment and pollution from the Mary River catchment.
Critical habitats for threatened species in Queensland's Mary River have been given a much-needed boost thanks to more than $2 million in joint funding from the Albanese and Crisafulli governments.
Protecting critical habitats for threatened species and improving water quality are at the heart of integrated projects designed to build resilience in the Mary River and her catchments.
To help drive the Mary River Integrated Project (MRIP), the Mary River Catchment Coordination Committee (MRCCC) was awarded more than $2 million in funding.
MRCCC received more than $550,000 in joint funding from the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) to improve and extend key habitat areas for the Australian lungfish, Mary River turtle, white-throated snapping turtle, and Mary River cod.
They were also awarded $1.5 million through the Queensland Government's $5.5 million Reef Place-Based Integrated Projects initiative which focuses on a collaborative, localised approach to projects that improve water quality and reduce pollution.
The projects include key partnerships with Griffith University, Tiaro Landcare, Burnett Mary Regional Group, Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners, Jinibara People Aboriginal Corporation, local councils, and other stakeholders.
MRCCC's recovery efforts for the Mary River and catchment include:
- Installing submerged timber structures known as 'cod logs' to support Mary River cod spawning.
- Rehabilitating aquatic plant beds for Australian lungfish food and breeding.
- Protecting turtle nesting banks, controlling predators and designing and installing turtle hatchling habitat structures.
- Dairy Farmer Network Program and Small Grazier Program – collaborating with Seqwater, James Cook University, local dairy farmers and small-scale graziers to improve water quality and farm practices.
- Jinibara Water Quality Monitoring Program – building capacity for Jinibara Rangers for water quality monitoring and catchment management.
- Unsealed Road Sediment Management – partnering with HQ Plantations, dairy farmers, and ANU Enterprise to reduce sediment runoff from rural roads and laneways.
- Riparian Zone Management – restoring and protecting Mary River banks in partnership with Noosa Landcare and community groups to enhance ecosystem health and connectivity.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said recovery efforts in the Mary River and its catchments were critical.
"The Albanese Government is working closely with the Crisafulli Government to ensure that recovery efforts towards the Mary River Catchments result in the improvement of water quality and habitats occupied by marine wildlife," Minister McBain said.
Queensland Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said community-led recovery initiatives were vital to protecting Queensland's unique biodiversity and building future resilience for the Great Barrier Reef.
"We are protecting our iconic Great Barrier Reef through genuine environmental action, which includes stakeholder partnerships to reduce run-off and improve water quality," Minister Powell said.
"This program tackles nutrient and sediment pollution in the Upper and Lower Mary River through five targeted sub-projects.
"In the Mary River catchment, our partnerships are boosting conservation outcomes for threatened species of fish and turtles.
"With more than 25 years of conservation experience, the MRCCC fosters trust and long-term engagement through community-driven, co-designed projects.
"We're building on the MRCCC's successes, and these projects showcase the power of partnerships to deliver catchment-wide benefits for the environment and the community."
