It seems that Central Queenslanders have not yet caught the canal fever evident on the State's southern coast.

The CQ folk have rated residential development amongst the lowest categories in a survey of waterway use values.

The survey shows they are much more concerned about the ability of waterways to support the environment, safe drinking water, scenic landscapes, agriculture and tourism.

The Central Queensland Healthy Waterways Survey was carried out by Associate Professor Stewart Lockie and Susan Jennings of Central Queensland University, on behalf of the Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management and the CQU Centre for Social Science Research.

Assoc Prof Lockie said the survey of residents in urban areas in the Lower Fitzroy and Port Curtis catchments had gleaned few surprises but was a useful benchmarking exercise.

He said the survey gained feedback on water quality perceptions, waterway information sources and attitudes towards a range of issues.

"Strong support was shown for strict regulation of activities that effect waterway health and for the complete exclusion of mining from the Great Barrier Reef," Dr Lockie said.

"The polluter-pays principle was endorsed, but people also believed the whole community should contribute to the cost of addressing problems.

"There was strong support for the use of water meters.

"People were uncertain about the environmental impacts of large dams, but tended to believe that coastal developments such as urban growth, port expansion and industrial development would have major environmental impacts."