Partnerships receive $3.75 million investment
The Queensland Government has announced it will invest $3.75 million over three years to continue the Regional Report Card Partnerships Initiative, which includes the Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters.
Four other Regional Report Card Partnerships operate within the Great Barrier Reef catchment: Wet Tropics Waterways; Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership; Fitzroy Partnership for River Health and Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership. See them here.
Executive Officer Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins in Townsville’s Bohle Wetland
“Our Partnership gains strength and reach every year, and we appreciate having both the Australian and Queensland Governments at our table,” says our Executive Officer, Kara-Mae Coulter-Atkins. “The hunger for collective action for Dry Tropics waterways is very real.”
“The work the Regional Report Card Partnerships are doing in their respective regions is impressive,” says Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard. “Helping to build an understanding in regional communities of the health of our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.
“Water quality is an area that takes the work and investment of many organisations over a sustained period to achieve improvements.
“The partnerships are examples of a successful collaboration between all levels of government, Traditional Owners, industry, scientists, tourism operators, and conservation groups, in tackling waterway health and bringing the local community along in the journey.”
The Regional Report Cards support the overall Reef Water Quality Report Card, communicating science and environmental information in an easy-to-understand format for local communities.
The funding announced this week complements Australian Government support of $1 million annually.
“Some partnerships have been in operation for over a decade and it’s fantastic to know that our long-term investment is achieving results and helping to deliver a healthy Reef, while supporting strong, collaborative community partnerships,” says Minister Linard.
Partners of the Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters will gather on 20 July to launch the 2023 Townsville Dry Tropics Waterways Report Card. Prospective members and interested waterways stakeholders are invited to join us. Connect with us here.
