Eight local councils have each received a $920,000 funding boost from the Australian Government to extend their actions to help protect the reef.

The Councils are part of the Reef Authority’s Reef Guardian Councils program, and their projects will help us to meet goals in the Reef 2050 Plan, the Australian and Queensland governments’ long-term plan for protecting and managing the Reef. Here’s a snapshot of some of the new projects:

Cairns Regional Council

In Cairns, the new funding is being used to undertake more revegetation of bushland and riparian corridors, continue working with Land and Sea Rangers to reduce the amount of litter entering the reef lagoon and pilot battery electric passenger vehicles in the Council’s fleet. Despite being the gateway to the reef, Cairns’ uptake of electric vehicles lags behind the national average so this project will help boost awareness of the benefits to drive down the region’s emissions.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council

Road upgrades and improvements in the management of unsealed roads, including a 2kms section of road that is frequently inundated, will help reduce sediment runoff. The Council is also using the new funding to develop a climate change strategy, upgrade its solar network and install infrastructure to support the transition of its fleet to electric vehicles. A project, engaging First Nations people and local organisations, to reinstate and rejuvenate wetlands in Innisfail will also be undertaken.

Douglas Shire Council

Besides increasing its capacity to undertake feral pig control work to reduce erosion and sediment runoff, the new funding will enable 283.4kW of solar systems to be installed across Council’s facilities. Support will also be provided for Council and the construction industry to implement a sediment control and stormwater education and compliance program, and ground water sampling in non-sewered communities will form the basis of a community education program to reduce the risk of contamination.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council

Roof-top solar systems are being installed on council buildings – from offices to a water treatment plant and a conference centre – to reduce emissions.

Mareeba Shire Council

The sewer network will be improved in Mareeba and Kuranda, with manholes replaced and repaired, to reduce the risk of sewage overflows in the Barron River catchment.

Tablelands Regional Council

A range of activities are planned on the Tablelands including a feral pig control program, solar panel installation and restoration of riverbank areas including at Priors Creek where an interpretative walk will help to raise community awareness about waterway health. Native vegetation along roadsides will also be trialled to shade out weeds and minimise chemical use and upgrades to stormwater drainage infrastructure in the Tolga area will help improve sediment runoff.

Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Council

This Council is aiming to reduce erosion and sediment runoff into the Bloomfield River from a site that has high visitor traffic. Activities include road stabilisation, erosion control and sediment trapping.

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

A sewage treatment plant is being upgraded and old underground fuel tanks will be replaced with above-ground refuelling tanks with advanced safety features, to reduce the risk of contaminants entering local waterways.

The Reef Guardian Councils Program is a stewardship partnership between the Reef Authority and local governments. For more information go to: https://www2.gbrmpa.gov.au/our-work/programs-and-projects/reef-guardian-councils