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FAQs

Partnership

What is the Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters?

The Townsville Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters is an initiative made up of stakeholders from community, industry, education, science and government organisations.

The Partnership produces an annual, independent regional report card on the status of our region’s waterways and associated habitats, as well as the social and economic benefits our waterways and Reef provides to the Townsville community. Through this report, we aim to improve the management of our waterways to benefit our region.

Hosted by Townsville City Council, the Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters is funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and collaborating partners.

The Partnership is independently chaired and supported by a management committee and two staff who oversee day-to-day operations.

When was the Partnership Established?

The Partnership was launched in January of 2019, and our first pilot report card was released in June 2019.

What are the Partnership’s Vision and Objectives?

The Partnerships’ Vision is: Healthy waterways, Reef and a thriving Townsville community.

To achieve our Vision the Partners are committed to delivering the following objectives:

  • Establish and maintain a diverse membership including all levels of government, community, traditional owners, industry and research organisations committed to achieving the Partnership’s vision.
  • Communicate information effectively and at a relevant scale to the broader community on waterway health issues to increase knowledge and empower the local community on Reef issues.
  • Develop an annual waterway health report card incorporating environmental, social, economic and cultural indicators, by building on existing monitoring and reporting programs, with scientific integrity, independence and transparency.
  • Focus reporting initially on the Townsville region, and in the longer term, extend to the entire North Queensland Dry Tropics region.
  • Coordinate and share data and information across a range of stakeholders to identify monitoring gaps and reduce duplication.
  • Provide scientific information that may assist in improving or maintaining the environmental, social and economic values of the region, identify long-term trends, stimulate management action and drive positive change.
  • Recognise and support the efforts of Partners and others to improve regional waterway health by building upon, complementing and enhancing their efforts.
  • Identify waterway health-related knowledge, identify priority activities, and advocate for them.

What does it take to be a Partner?

Membership of the Partnership is open to organisations or community representatives with an interest in maintaining and improving waterway health in the Townsville region.

Membership contributions are tiered according to the type and size of the member organisation and payable on an annual basis. Each Partner nominates a representative to attend and contribute to Partnership meetings and forums, and to manage the connections, relationships and opportunities that are generated through the Partnership.

For more information on joining the Partnership, and the benefits click here.

Does the Partnership undertake on-ground work?

The Partnership’s primary purpose is the development of the annual waterway health report card and addressing data gaps. As data gaps are filled, the report card will better highlight priority areas for investment in new, innovative and enhanced management activities. Currently, individual Partners undertake projects aimed at improving waterway health. This will be showcased in our upcoming Partner Stewardship Report to be released in 2021.

How long will the Partnership run for?

The longevity of the Partnership is based on future funding and the support of our Partners.

What can I do in the community to help protect our waterways?

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram to receive information on upcoming events, and our Report Card releases. These pages will provide you with information on actions planned or currently underway in our local waterways, and what you can do to help.

In addition, many individuals and community groups are dedicating their time to the protection and improvement of our waterways through activities such as tree plantings and picking up litter.

Community members who would like to get involved in protecting their local waterways can take part in waterway health initiatives through their local community or catchment groups.

Who are the Partners?

FIND OUT MORE

INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP