Save Moreton Bay
For a number of years Queensland Conservation has been campaigning to Save Moreton Bay and in the last two years has produced a public report on the impacts and solutions to the pollution problem. In essence, we have said that the pollution to the bay and surrounding coastlines (Gold Coast and Sunshine Coasts) comes from three principal sources:
erosion from farmlands and disturbed landscapes
stormwater
runoff from new urban development.
Moreton Bay – picture Tourisim QLD
Beautiful Moreton Bay. Picture courtesy Tourism Queensland.
During last State and local elections we brought the issues to the public attention, through our work promoting the solutions around the bayside. Thousands of people signed our petition calling on action to stop the pollution. That petition was delivered to Premier Campbell Newman. We know that we have put the issue on the political agenda. What we have yet to see is effective actions to reduce the pollution. Every time we experienced heavy rain, more sediment and more pollution enters the bay, threatening its health. Will we start to see more effective actions soon?
The answer is maybe, but only if we maintain the pressure. We have sought a coordinated plan for the Bay and surrounding coasts that involves the State and local government, key stakeholders and the community, working together with a target of quantifiably reducing pollution within two years. There are existing and committed funds to do this. It is not enough, but a start can be made now with what is available. Doing this means addressing those primary causes of erosion, stormwater and new urban development.
The signs are that this is close.
Queensland Conservation has also developed an alliance with catchment, rural and community groups to seek additional funding from the Commonwealth Government. The premise of this proposal is that every year, erosion from one of Queensland best agricultural areas is being washed into the Bay and surrounding coastal waters. Stopping this pollution means protecting that productive farmland.
Our alliance of organisations includes: SEQ Catchments, Healthywaterways, Growcom, Queensland Farmers Federation and Agforce.
For more information read the Moreton Bay Priority Catchments Sediment Reduction Scheme proposal.
If you want to help, there are 60 constituencies in the catchment of Moreton Bay and surrounding coasts. So there are 60 Members of Parliament who could be making a difference and seeking action. Why not call, write or email your local member and urge that they support action to stop the pollution and protect the catchment.
Support our efforts to protect the health of Moreton Bay by becoming a monthly donor or making a single donation today.