Partnerships Help Protect Marine Park

Australian and Queensland Government agencies and regional natural resource management bodies have teamed up in a new partnership focussing on water quality monitoring and reporting.

This collaboration is a key part of the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan (Reef Plan), a 10-year strategy to halt and reverse the decline in the quality of water entering the Marine Park.

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Water Qulaity and Coastal Development Director Hugh Yorkston said the partnership saw organisations work together to link governments' and community activities.

"The partnership supports and co-ordinates water quality target setting, monitoring and reporting to help make the link between management actions in the Great Barrier Reef catchments and the health of Great Barrier Reef lagoon ecosystems," he said.

"The partnership is one of ongoing collaboration between Australian and Queensland Government agencies and regional natural resource management bodies in the Great Barrier Reef area.

"It places a strong focus on achieving success in addressing water quality issues through the encouragement of shared responsibility and strong partnerships between stakeholders."

Hugh said government agencies and regional bodies would work together to enhance reporting on river, marine and biological monitoring and develop water quality targets and funding actions to address declining water quality.

"Tthe overall aim is to reduce pollutants from diffuse sources, such as agricultural and other cleaned areas, and rehabilitate and conserve areas such as wetlands that have a role in removing water-borne pollutants." he said.

More information on Reef Plan is available at www.gbrmpa.gov.au/core_site/key_issues/water_quality/marine_monitoring.html