There are a number of main projects which fall under the coastal
and marine programme area.
Sustainable Coastal Development
Townsville has been amongst the most rapidly growing local
government areas in Queensland. Development pressures associated
with this rapid population growth pose threats to sensitive coastal
processes and environments, including coastal waters, dunes,
wetlands, and distinctive landscapes. Governments, at all levels,
are working hard to manage this growth and the pressures it is
creating. Nonetheless, coastal management remains challenging.
Recreational Beach Use
Establish a planning framework for the management of recreational
beach use in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region.
Coastal Development
Improved integration of regional land and water management outcomes
into coastal development considerations.
Reef Guardian Councils
Support provided by
NQ Dry Tropics to Burdekin and Townsville Councils and GBRMPA to
develop their 'Reef Guardian Council' action plans.
Healthy Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
The Burdekin Dry
Tropics coastal and marine area sits within the Great Barrier Reef
World Heritage Area and Marine Park. Also, the region’s coast
and marine area includes RAMSAR and nationally recognised wetlands,
Fish Habitat Areas, Dugong Protection Areas, and a number of
coastal national and conservation parks.
Major threats to
the estuarine, coastal and marine habitats and species in the
Burdekin Dry Tropics Region include coastal development,
inappropriate recreational activities; removal and/or disturbance
of habitats and species, vegetation removal, stormwater run-off and
pests and weeds.
Fish Habitat Areas
Raise Awareness of the
importance of estuarine and coastal fish habitat and threats to it
and raise awareness of the impacts of gross pollutants from
stormwater, beaches and the marine environment.
Building Community Capacity and Engagement in Coastal
Management
This is an enabling
initiative, aimed at delivering more effective understanding,
engagement and participation within the community and community
groups.
There are at
least 10 community based groups undertaking ‘Coastcare’
activities within the Burdekin dry Tropics region. There
are also at least six identified Traditional Owner
groups.
Traditional Owners and Sea Country
Raise awareness within Traditional Owner groups of
opportunities in relation to sea country management and capturing
Traditional Owner aspirations for sea country management.
Community Coastcare
Increased community awareness and application of best practice
coastal management.
Commonwealth Community Coastcare Grant
Empowering the Community Coastcare Movement in the Burdekin Dry
Tropics region. This project raises the awareness and capacity of
the Burdekin Dry Tropics coastal community (specifically volunteer
community NRM groups, Traditional Owner groups, schools and the
broader community) to implement future land and water
management projects, understand the significance of migratory
shorebirds and appreciate the relationship Traditional Owners have
with dugong and turtle, which are all issues of national
significance.
