The Mackay Whitsunday Natural Resource Management Group is
uniquely located in beautiful, tropical Central Queensland -our
area of operation covers 250km of coast and boasts numerous
beaches, coastal lagoons, 74 offshore islands and reefs -
all within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage
Area.
More than 70% of our regions population lives
in Mackay where the retail, sugar
and mining industries dominate our economy.
As a Regional Body, we are designated by the State and
Australian Governments to involve the community in a cooperative,
ongoing, sustainable management of the land, water and biological
resources of this region.
As a community-representative
group our membership is open to all. People from across
the community participate in our organisation's business.
Membership includes industry, conservation, horticulture, grazing,
cane, fishers, Indigenous people and local government. Australian
and State Government representatives act in an advisory capacity on
our Management Committee.
As a peak Natural Resource Management organization in
this region, we strategically organise the way in which our
natural resources are managed.Through consultation with community
organisations, industry and government, our Regional Plan
was developed to be strategic and inclusive of the Proserpine,
OConnell, Pioneer and Plane Creek Catchments.
We partner with agricultural industries, research groups,
Landcare & Catchment Groups, Local and State Government
and science and social science consultants to do work with
the community which will protect, restore, and perpetuate our
natural and cultural assets.
Some key
achievements include:
-
Sustainable Landscapes - our
region's own innovative model- an incentive scheme.
It encourages land managers to value-add to the Australian
Government Natural Heritage Trust Funds given directly to them
to undertake on-ground works which improve the
sustainability and productivity of this regions agricultural
industries and enhance the management and biodiversity of
coastal public lands.
-
Scientific
Reports have been published which detail
the condition and trends in regional Water Quality and
Mangrove Health.
-
Water Quality Improvement Draft
Plan is being informed through a network of
community water quality monitoring, community consultation
meetings, and scientific studies.
-
Indigenous
partnerships fostered through our
Traditional Owner Reference Group are working
towards Historic Fish Trap Artifact conservation and the recording
of Indigenous Knowledge.
-
Our Regional Investment
Strategy -delivered by our Catchment &
Landcare Groups, focuses on making a difference'by
ensuring the future of our key natural resources, biodiversity,
coastal and cultural assets as the region rapidly develops by the
strategic delivery of land, water, vegetation community, and
cultural improvements across the Mackay-Whitsunday area.
