Experts to gather to promote healthy waterways

Leaders in water-quality management and research will gather at CQUniversity Mackay to share ideas and work towards protecting the Mackay Whitsunday catchments at the Healthy Waterways Symposium from 13-15 June.

The Healthy Waterways Symposium, Mackay Whitsunday Isaac, hosted by Reef Catchments, will feature the latest research findings around land and water management impacting the Great Barrier Reef. Dr Siwan Lovett, an expert in science communication for river and waterway management, is the opening keynote speaker.

CQUniversity’s Dr Larelle Fabro and Dr Leo Duivenvoorden will present a collaborative learning workshop ‘Wetland Resilience Management and Human Health Impacts’. The presentation will provide information on wetland processes, impacts of pollutants and various land-management practices, wetland management and remediation prioritisation, blue green algae and more, as well as a hands-on aquatic plant identification session.

Other featured presentations over the three-day symposium will include the Great Barrier Reef Marine Monitoring Program, achievements in sustainable agriculture through the Reef Rescue program and Project Catalyst and investigations into the effectiveness of engineered log jams in reducing streambank erosion to the Great Barrier Reef.

Wetland processes, impacts of pollutants and land-management practices, wetland management and remediation prioritisation and blue green algae (including human health impacts) are among the many workshop topics. As workshop places are strictly limited, registration is necessary.

For delegate registration and further information for the Healthy Waterways Symposium and Workshop, please email Reef Catchments’ Land and Water Coordinator Sal Gray at sally.gray@reefcatchments.com.au or visit the event webpage.