Council reaffirms commitment to the Reef
Published on 23 June 2020
Rockhampton Regional Council today reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef by signing up to the Reef Guardian Council program for a further four years.
The Reef Guardian Council are recognised for their stewardship and educational programs aimed at reducing land- based impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.
Water and Supporting a Better Environment Portfolio Spokesperson, Councillor Donna Kirkland, said the program was all about councils across Queensland coming together to protect the Reef.
“Although we are a little inland, the Rockhampton Regional Council area has key connections to the Reef.” said Cr Kirkland.
“Our region has over of 407km2 of extensive wetlands, creeks, and river systems. The Fitzroy River itself is actually the largest river catchment flowing to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
“What we do in our yards, on our streets and across the landscape affects the health of our local waterways and ultimately the Reef.
“For example one of the projects we have already been doing as a Reef Guardian Council is ‘What’s Down Our Drains?’. This project, which is designed to prevent litter from entering the Reef, has seen litter traps (known as Drain Buddies) installed at local litter hotspots across Rockhampton, Gladstone and Livingstone.
“In 12 months the Drain Buddies prevented 27,191 pieces of litter, 721kg of pollutants, and 13,818 cigarette butts from entering our waterways.
“Rockhampton also has local fishing and tourism businesses, along with local fishing infrastructure, that depend on our connection to the Reef.”
Cr Kirkland said the renewed Memorandum of Understanding to the Reef Guardian Councils program meant Council would continue to work hard to be good stewards of the Reef.
“It’s important for us all to recognise the privilege we have in being able to enjoy this incredible natural phenomenon – the Great Barrier Reef has been around for thousands of lifecycles and it’s our responsibility to make sure its wonders can be enjoyed by generations to come.
“The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority – the Commonwealth agency responsible for the management of the Reef – recognises the vital role that local government plays in managing the broader reef catchment.
“We are delighted to continue our work with them, and 17 other Queensland councils, to raise awareness of the Reef’s values, threats, and positive actions that we can all take toward securing the Reef’s sustainable long term health.”