FBA: Lower Fitzroy streambank stabilisation project Watching his property slowly be claimed by the river was the upsetting reality for Bill Kirkwood, property owner at Yaamba, north of Rockhampton. With 180m of land lost, and 515,000 tonnes of sediment washed down the river, it was no small victory for Bill, Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) and the Reef getting this loss under control. By stabilising the riverbank on this property, Bill has created a better local ecosystem for stock and native animals; plus has left the land in better condition for the new property owners Grant and Rebecca Cassidy.  The future of the Reef is looking dramatically less murky with an estimated 23,000 tonnes of fine sediment saved from entering the Fitzroy River every year. When sediment enters the Reef it creates turbidity which leads to reduced light for seagrasses and coral which can reduce their growth and affect their reproduction and early development along with creating other implications. Daniel Boshoff, FBA’s NRM Manager worked closely on this project and noted that, “everyone has a role to play in protecting the Reef. Land managers who reduce sediment run-off to improve waterway and reef health are helping to create long [...]

Glencore: Water management systems and initiatives at Glencore Coal's Clermont Mine In 2021, after years of persistent dry conditions and minimal rainfall, many mining operations and landowners in the Fitzroy Basin were facing the reality of a water shortage. Glencore Coal’s Clermont Mine, situated within the Wolfang Creek catchment and forming part of the Nogoa River catchment, was one of several operations adversely impacted by drought. All of Glencore’s operations have comprehensive water management strategies in place to manage droughts and floods. The strategies ensure that Glencore: Operates in accordance with their environmental authorities Minimises impacts on local waterways and groundwater systems Uses water efficiently Protects mining operations from flooding Plans for and provides sufficient water infrastructure to support mining. In the case of Clermont Mine, prolonged dry conditions posed a threat to the site’s water supply. Clermont Mine has a single open cut pit and one main water storage dam. The site has no external water supply. In 2021 the site initiated their Water Reduction Task Force, bringing together team members from a cross-section of the mining operation. The Task Force commenced monitoring and tracking daily water usage to evaluate the risk of [...]

BHP BMA: Scientists, Traditional Custodians and BHP come together on 'floating lab' for Great Barrier Reef coral spawning With Australian reefs facing ever growing pressures from a range of environmental and human-induced impacts, research to support innovative reef resilience, adaption and restoration is needed now more than ever. In November 2022, marine scientists gathered with Traditional Custodians on Woppaburra sea Country for an ambitious field event during the annual mass coral spawning on the Great Barrier Reef. The expedition, led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), advanced understanding of how to help fasttrack reef recovery and trained participants in coral aquaculture techniques to help them manage sea country in the future. Over 40 people were involved in the event at North Keppel Island (also known as Konomie by the Woppaburra people) near Yeppoon. The science team were based on a bespoke floating laboratory - a car barge turned into a science facility. The vessel holds research aquaria systems to support investigations on coral spawning and coral seeding. Land based activities were held at the Konomie Environmental Education Centre. Dr Carly Randall, AIMS ecologist and lead of the Woppaburra Coral Project said the expedition was an exciting [...]