Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Striving to protect a pressured coast
A monitoring and education project with 200 volunteers has been operating successfully on the Woongarra Coast near Bundaberg for the past decade.
"Our aim is to increase awareness of issues affecting the coastal environment and to develop a sense of community stewardship," said project officer Liz Tanner. "The coastline here is dynamic and easily accessible and it's now facing considerable development pressures.
"We want to add to available knowledge. And we also want to encourage the community to become more involved in decision making and in looking at the future impacts of coastal development."
Funding
The Australian Government has provided funding to the Woongarra Coast Monitoring and Education Project, which is sponsored by Central Queensland University with assistance from Burnett Shire Council, Burnett Mary Regional Group and the Queensland Government.
In 2004/05, the Australian Government provided $13,000 for a project initiative to improve storm water management and understanding of coastal biodiversity and in 2006 it gave a further $15,000 for monitoring tide pool and storm water quality.
Activities
A wealth of information on coastal water quality and the condition of the fringing reef has come from the project. This has been made available to local, regional and state management bodies. A Woongarra Coast Monitoring and Education Project website has been developed and education materials like posters, brochures and displays made available throughout the community.
Recent activities focused on raising awareness of the need to manage storm water responsibly for a healthy coastal and marine environment.
Existing stormwater drain marking activities were expanded and covered about 25 kilometres of coast. Local school students participated in marking the stormwater drains with stencils featuring turtle and crab motifs and the catch phrase, 'Protect Me, This Pipe Leads to the Sea'.
Achievements
"The project has become a really important marine and coastal resource for the community" said Liz.
"We believe we have raised the level of awareness on issues affecting the coast in our region, and as an organisation, we are frequently consulted now when people want information or advice on coastal processes and impacts."
However, as Liz Tanner knows, raising awareness is an on-going task She said residents and visitors alike still needed to be reminded of the stunning coral reefs fringing their coastline and the need to protect them.
More information
- Liz Tanner Project Officer, Woongarra Marine Park Monitoring and Education Project : (07) 4150 5473
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window