Steve Skull, Carole Sweatman, Joe Marani

25 Aug Steve Skull, Carole Sweatman, Joe Marani

Steve Skull, Australia

Steve Skull is the Regional Manager for Alluvium in SEQ and has played a significant role in understanding river health management issues which contribute to the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Steve led the delivery of the Reef 2050 Costings review and represents Alluvium in the Wet Tropics MIP.

Carole Sweatman, Australia

Carole Sweatman is the CEO of Terrain NRM and is leading the MIP process. Carole has been the Chief Executive Officer with Terrain since 2010. Terrain is an independent not-for-profit organisation working with the community, industry and government in Queensland’s Wet Tropics region. Terrain’s role is to work with farmers and communities to ensure profitable and enduring rural industries and communities and the sustainable management of water, land and soils.

Joe Marani, Australia

Joe Marano is the Chairman of CANEGROWERS Innisfail and represents cane growers in the Innisfaail district on the CANEGROWERS Queensland Policy Council. Joe represents CANEGROWERS in the Wet Tropics MIP.

Presentation Title: Integrated solutions takes an integrated team – reshaping catchment and river health investment and action in the Wet Tropics

The Queensland Government has committed to implement two Major Integrated Projects (MIPs) to reduce nutrient, sediment and pesticide loads into waterways in the Wet Tropics and Burdekin regions. With $33 million in new funds it is a very substantial investment which will improve river health. Terrain NRM has been engaged to coordinate local ‘grass roots’ design of the Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project on behalf of a broader consortium of partners, including industry groups, science institutions, and non-government organisations. The MIPs aim to work with producers and the broader community, to develop water quality solutions tailored to meet the needs of landholders that live in MIP areas. Agricultural practice change, water treatment systems and river health and landscape restoration activities such as, streambank and habitat repair will also be trialed. The MIPs will evaluate the consortium approach to local design, how effective different actions and combintations of actions are in improving local water quality and whether actions are suitable for broader application. The work will reduce sediments, nutrients and pesticides flowing to local waterways and ultimately reduce the level of pollutants in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. The project is not without its challenges. The combination of over 40 partners from NRM Groups, industry groups, academics, consultants, and community all need to be able to work together to deliver outcomes and value for money to the State Government. This is a feat rarely seen in River Health management from both a national and international perspective. The presentation will provide an overview of the MIP and its function in river health management across the wet tropics, and we will hear from Terrain, CANEGROWERS and Alluvium Consulting on the individual challenges and the synergistic outcomes needed to make the project a success.