28-Sep-2011

SEQ Catchments showcased its work in the Logan, Bremer and Lockyer catchments to 50 scientists and professionals from Australia and around the world when it hosted the International River Symposium Healthy Country Study Tour yesterday. Download the Healthy Country Booklet handed out on the day.

Delegates from 10 countries, including Australia, got to see first hand the devastating impacts of the January 2011 floods which generated international headlines, as well as visit examples of ‘real life’ projects on the ground as part of the Healthy Country Project.

Healthy Country is a collaborative $8 million project between SEQ Catchments, Healthy Waterways, Queensland Government and South East Queensland Traditional Owners Alliance to support communities, farmers and scientists to work together to improve water quality in South East Queensland’s catchments and Moreton Bay.

Tony Mckew, SEQ Catchments Landscape Restoration Manager, who led the tour, said it was an opportunity for people to see first-hand the impact of the floods as well as the work being undertaken with landholders to protect South East Queensland’s waterways.

‘’We visited three examples of water and soil management interventions with local landholders, including an award winning floodplain reinstatement project which won the Rural Award and the 2011 Minister's Grand Prize at the Healthy Water Way's awards in July.’’

‘‘Bringing people here from around the world makes it a much more personal experience and if people can see the interventions with their own eyes, they’ll leave having a much better understanding of our work in South East Queensland.’’

‘‘Working with local landholders is a key part of our work, as so much of the land is privately owned, which may differ from other countries where flood plains for example are state owned. It is all about sharing experiences and learning from each other.’’

The tour also included a visit to Wivenhoe Dam, where Seqwater who are responsible for managing the dam, gave a run down of the challenges of flood mitigation in a key water supply catchment, with specific reference to how the dam was managed during the recent floods.

The International River Symposium is the preeminent international river management conference attended by leading scientists, community groups, government agencies and corporate leaders from across the globe. The 14th International Riversymposium, 26-29 September 2011 in Brisbane, QLD will explore the multiple reasons that rivers are valuable ranging from economics through to cultural and spiritual values.

SEQ Catchments Ltd is an environmental not-for-profit business which works with the community, the corporate sector and all levels of government to enhance environmental sustainability in South East Queensland.

For more information please contact:

Tony Mckew, Landscape Restoration Manager at SEQ Catchments, 0439 852 162 or TMcKew@seqcatchments.com.au
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Further information: Sibel Korhaliller, Communications Officer, 0488 713 340 or skorhaliller@seqcatchments.com.au