The waterways of South East Queensland underpin our unique lifestyle and cultural identity. Not only are they a cultural and historical asset, they are vital to our tourism, recreation and fishing industries which provide thousands of jobs and inject approximately $5 billion per year into the economy.

As a result of our rapidly growing population and unpredictable climate, our waterways are under increasing pressure from threats such as soil erosion, stormwater run-off, land clearing and litter.

Established in 2000, Healthy Waterways is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that works to protect and improve South East Queensland’s waterways. Together with our members, we have one clear vision to achieve healthy waterways for a healthy economy. Through funding from our members, sponsorship and project grants, we work to understand and report on waterway condition, educate on the value of our waterways and inform decisions, policy and actions where it will benefit the environment, economy and community.

Healthy Waterways provides the science, tools and expertise to drive and support targeted, cost-effective best practice waterway management.

1 Bunn S.E., Abal E.G., Greenfield P.F., Tarte D.M., Saxton N.E 2008. Linking science, monitoring and management to improve the health of waterways in SEQ, Australia. 4th ECRR Conference on River Restoration

Our Region

Healthy Waterways

“Healthy Waterways provides the vehicle to move towards a future that achieves both the sustainability and protection of our waterways. The organisation’s rigorous and innovative science identifies the most effective waterway health activities in which investments should be made. Healthy Waterways also provides opportunities for people from a diverse range of sectors to participate and share their concerns, seek solutions together and develop initiatives to make a difference, and then disseminate these to the wider public.”

Anne Clarke OAM – Executive Officer, Oxley Creek Catchment Association

“The continuous improvement of knowledge is a core element of the Healthy Waterways collaborative model which has been extensively studied by organisations across the world. Griffith University has been a core research contributor to Healthy Waterways since the organisation’s inception in 2000. Our involvement helps to ensure the organisation’s Monitoring Program, products and advice to members are underpinned by rigorous, cutting-edge science.”

Professor Stuart Bunn - Director, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University and Chairman of the Healthy Waterways Executive Science Advisory Committee

We bring together a diverse range of scientific experts to ensure our members’ efforts are underpinned and informed by rigorous science, maximising environmental outcomes and their return on investment.

We unite key stakeholders and foster regional collaboration to increase efficiencies and enhance socio-economic waterway benefits such as tourism, recreation and employment. Our established networks with politicians, media and industry allow us to be a voice for our members and waterway issues, decisions and actions.

The work of Healthy Waterways is guided by the values of respect, integrity, willingness to partner and an open-minded approach.

Our scientific modelling studies consistently predict that without significant action, our waterways will deteriorate. Half of our 48,000 kilometres of creek and river networks already require critical repair and restoration1.

A consistent, regional approach to waterway management is critical in order to safeguard valuable agricultural land and infrastructure, ensure the security of our drinking water supply and support our significant tourism and recreation industries.

Supporting lifestyles and livelihoods in our region

healthywaterways.org

The waterways of South East Queensland underpin our unique lifestyle and cultural identity. Not only are they a cultural and historical asset, they are vital to our tourism, recreation and fishing industries which provide thousands of jobs and inject approximately $5 billion per year into the economy.

As a result of our rapidly growing population and unpredictable climate, our waterways are under increasing pressure from threats such as soil erosion, stormwater run-off, land clearing and litter.

Established in 2000, Healthy Waterways is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that works to protect and improve South East Queensland’s waterways. Together with our members, we have one clear vision to achieve healthy waterways for a healthy economy. Through funding from our members, sponsorship and project grants, we work to understand and report on waterway condition, educate on the value of our waterways and inform decisions, policy and actions where it will benefit the environment, economy and community.

Healthy Waterways provides the science, tools and expertise to drive and support targeted, cost-effective best practice waterway management.

Our Region

Healthy Waterways

“Healthy Waterways provides the vehicle to move towards a future that achieves both the sustainability and protection of our waterways. The organisation’s rigorous and innovative science identifies the most effective waterway health activities in which investments should be made. Healthy Waterways also provides opportunities for people from a diverse range of sectors to participate and share their concerns, seek solutions together and develop initiatives to make a difference, and then disseminate these to the wider public.”

Anne Clarke OAM – Executive Officer, Oxley Creek Catchment Association

“The continuous improvement of knowledge is a core element of the Healthy Waterways collaborative model which has been extensively studied by organisations across the world. Griffith University has been a core research contributor to Healthy Waterways since the organisation’s inception in 2000. Our involvement helps to ensure the organisation’s Monitoring Program, products and advice to members are underpinned by rigorous, cutting-edge science.”

Professor Stuart Bunn - Director, Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University and Chairman of the Healthy Waterways Executive Science Advisory Committee

We bring together a diverse range of scientific experts to ensure our members’ efforts are underpinned and informed by rigorous science, maximising environmental outcomes and return on investment.

We unite key stakeholders and foster regional collaboration to increase efficiencies and enhance socio-economic waterway benefits such as tourism, recreation and employment. Our established networks with politicians, media and industry allow us to be a voice for our members and waterway issues, decisions and actions.

The work of Healthy Waterways is guided by the values of respect, integrity, willingness to partner and an open-minded approach.

Our scientific modelling studies consistently predict that without significant action, our waterways will deteriorate. Half of our 48,000 kilometres of creek and river networks already require critical repair and restoration.

A consistent, regional approach to waterway management is critical in order to safeguard valuable agricultural land and infrastructure, ensure the security of our drinking water supply and support our significant tourism and recreation industries.

Oxley Creek Brisbane. Courtesy of Oxley Creek Catchment Association Inc

Brisbane River. Source: iStock

Healthy Waterways works with our members to drive, inform and support best practice management in a number of priority areas including stormwater, construction, point source, riparian, land, tourism and recreation management.

We take a whole-of-catchment approach with a focus on the challenges of point and diffuse source pollution, and mitigating the impacts on water quality from urban expansion, rural land use and climate variability.

Our scientific experts have consistently identified sediment as the number one issue affecting the region’s water quality, threatening the livelihoods and lifestyles of our region. Healthy Waterways has been instrumental in addressing the issue and pushing it to the forefront as a regional priority.

We play a critical role in informing the development and assessment of Catchment Action Plans through the Resilient Rivers Initiative.

Priorities

Invest in the Ripple Effect

OUR ROLE

UNDERSTAND

We assess and report on waterway pressures, condition and socio-economic benefits, identifying priority areas for investment and track the effectiveness of management actions.

INFORM

We drive regional collaboration, provide expert scientific advice and inform policy to ensure waterway management decisions are consistent, targeted and equitable.

EDUCATE

We develop targeted education and behaviour change initiatives, training, resources, tools and guidelines to support best practice waterway management, as well as enhance the community’s waterway values and increase positive behaviour.

YOUR BENEFITS

SAVE MONEY

Reduced costs and increased efficiencies for your waterway investments.

INCREASE BEST PRACTICE

Increased capacity to deliver best practice waterway management and opportunities to showcase your work on a national scale.

ENHANCE OUTCOMES

Enhanced social and economic outcomes from your waterway investments.

STRENGTHEN BRAND

Strengthened brand credibility and awareness through high profile member recognition and leveraging our environmental credentials.

UNITE AND SHARE

United, collaborative and regional approach that fosters cost-sharing and provides access to potential customers and partnerships.

ON-GROUND OUTCOMES

ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE

Improved waterway condition and resilience to major weather events.

LIVELIHOODS

A secure, clean drinking water supply, sustainable fisheries, and protected agricultural land and infrastructure.

LIFESTYLES

Increased access for the community to sustainably enjoy waterways, as well as an increase in the community’s value and use of waterways.

HEALTHY WATERWAYS FOR A HEALTHY ECONOMY

UNDERSTAND

ENVIRONMENTALRESILIENCE

LIVELIHOODS

LIFESTYLES

INFORM

SAVE

INCREASE

ENHANCE

STRENGTHEN

UNITE

EDUCATE

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

Since 2000, the renowned Healthy Waterways Monitoring Program and Report Card have been instrumental in tracking waterway condition in South East Queensland. The Report Card has been studied and adapted nationally and internationally in areas such as Chesapeake Bay in America, Fitzroy in Melbourne and the Tamar River in Tasmania. In 2015, Healthy Waterways will release a world class expansion of the Monitoring Program which will include measuring and reporting on socio-economic waterway benefits. This new program will be the first of its kind to consider the intrinsic links between waterway values, actions, benefits and waterway condition and pressures.

Our work has attracted international and national attention with formal commendations from the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists and the House of Representatives. Healthy Waterways has also received a suite of awards including the 2014 Australian Marine Environment Protection Association’s Environmental Award for waterway litter reduction achievements, 2013 Stormwater Industry Association of Queensland’s Award for Excellence in Asset Management, 2013 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Award for Nationally Significant Programs for the Stewardship of Water and many more, including the 2009 Banksia Environmental Award.

“Healthy Waterways’ science, tools and whole-of-catchment approach play a fundamental role in supporting the development and delivery of best practice waterway management. The renowned Healthy Waterways Monitoring Program is a world-class initiative that provides a critical assessment and analysis of waterway condition, ensuring decisions and actions are well-informed and underpinned by the most up-to-date, rigorous science.”

Mr Jim Soorley – Chairman, Unitywater

Join over 35 organisations that are already members of Healthy Waterways and play an integral role in safeguarding the future of our waterways, and the lifestyles and livelihoods they underpin.

Our primary membership consists of local and state government, industry organisations, community groups and non-government entities with a vested interest in our waterways and the socio-economic benefits and services they provide.

While our work is primarily focused in South East Queensland, we are often involved in projects and initiatives outside of this area, such as the Great Barrier Reef, to maximise knowledge sharing and collaboration.

If your organisation values, relies on or impacts upon the waterways in any way, we can help enhance the sustainability of your operations in a cost effective manner, reducing your environmental footprint while maximising your return on investment. Not only will Healthy Waterways inform and support you to deliver best practice management, we will provide opportunities to showcase your projects and outcomes, helping to bring your organisation to the forefront as a leader in waterway management.

There are two levels of membership available as well as a number of corporate partnership and sponsorship opportunities. Your organisation will receive a range of benefits which will be tailored to suit your needs. Contact us to discuss a package that will be most beneficial to you.

Become a Member

t. (07) 3177 9100 e. info@healthywaterways.org

Level 4, 200 Creek Street, Spring Hill 4004

www.healthywaterways.org

facebook.com/HealthyWaterways | twitter.com/HealthyWaterway

Noosa Heads. Source: iStock

© Healthy Waterways Ltd 2015-013