Twenty-six organisations have worked together to deliver the first report card for the Fitzroy Basin, focusing on the collective health of rivers, creeks, the estuary and marine environment...

CQUniversity academics Professor John Rolfe, Associate Professor Larelle Fabbro, Dr Claire Sellens, Dr Nicole Flint and Cassie Jones have been involved in producing background technical reports.

The Partners get together to launch the Report Card

The report card developed by the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health uses the best available science to assess waterway health for the Nogoa, Isaac, Connors, Dawson and Mackenzie river systems and the Fitzroy River estuary, as well as reporting on the condition of the marine environment.

The website is now live via: http://riverhealth.org.au/

Results were scrutinised by an independent science panel chaired by Professor Barry Hart to ensure that methods used for assessment were relevant to Fitzroy Basin waterways.

Partners invested almost $1 million to establish the Partnership and deliver the first report card for the period from July 2010 to June 2011. They supplied data collected via existing monitoring programs, which represent a collective investment of almost $10 million.

Professor Rolfe said CQUniversity was proud of its contribution as a major partner to achieving the Fitzroy Partnership's aim to provide a more complete picture on river health via the public report card.

The full report card, reporting area overviews, detailed data sets, additional information, river stewardship and grading information are available at www.riverhealth.org.au .

The Isaac River pictured beside the Peak Downs Highway

The 2010/11 report card will provide valuable information for comparison in future years as more report cards are produced.

Report Card results will be showcased at the Emerald Show June 4-5, Rockhampton Show June 7-9, and Biloela Shopping Centre June 13-15.

Fitzroy Partnership staff will also run several rural barbecues to offer the opportunity to discuss report card results and local waterways in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

For full details on sessions or to confirm your spot visit www.riverhealth.org.au/news or if you would like to offer to host a barbecue on your property, please call the Partnership staff on (07) 4999 2823 or email nathan.johnston@riverhealth.org.au

Fitzroy Partnership for River Health -

Major Partners: Fitzroy Basin Association (host organisation), Queensland Government, Peabody Energy, BMA, Rockhampton Regional Council, Anglo American, Santos, Rio Tinto, CQUniversity, Xstrata and Arrow Energy.

Partners: Jellinbah Resources, Vale, Wesfarmers, Central Highlands Regional Council, Idemitsu, Origin Energy, Stanwell, Isaac Plains Coal, New Hope Coal, Yancoal, CQG Consulting and Cotton Australia

Associate Partners: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Resources Council, Agforce