Mighty Fitzroy River can count on healthy partnership
Published on 07 March, 2012
The mighty Fitzroy River winds through Australia's second largest seaward draining catchment and it's the largest waterway flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Data on river health is already collected by 26 organisations at 450 locations throughout the catchment but there's been issues of public confidence all the same.
Now there's a new Fitzroy Partnership for River Health to ensure a complete picture, with data shared and integrated, decisions made on good science and a 'report card' to be produced from mid-2013 onwards.
This initiative is hosted by Fitzroy Basin Association and CQUniversity is a major partner, along with major government, community and commercial organisations.
Speakers at the partnership launch variously described the river as a community lifeblood, a grand old lady and a nationally significant resource.
All present welcomed news that almost $1 million will be invested over the next 18 months to create the report card process. This cash investment is backed up with water quality monitoring data from current programs that cost participating organisations more than $3 million collectively.
The new partnership is one of Australia's largest waterway monitoring alliances in terms of organisations involved and catchment size.
Partners shoulder to shoulder after the launch
The Fitzroy Basin is home to 40 of Queensland's 50 coal mining operations, contributing billions of dollars annually to the Australian economy. Most coal mining companies operating in the basin are involved in the partnership. Major players in the coal seam gas fields have also pledged their commitment.
The catchment is also home to a vast agricultural industry and the partnership includes Cotton Australia and Agforce.
Major partners Fitzroy Basin Association (host organisation), Queensland Government, Peabody Energy, BMA, Rockhampton Regional Council, Anglo American, Santos, Rio Tinto, CQUniversity and Xstrata.
Partners Jellinbah Resources, Vale, Wesfarmers, Central Highlands Regional Council, Idemitsu, Origin Energy, Stanwell, Isaac Plains Coal, New Hope Coal, Yancoal, Sojitz, CQG Consulting and Cotton Australia.
Associate Partners Australian Government Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Queensland Resources Council, Agforce.
