Marine Monitoring Program Secures Funding Renewal To Reach 10 Years

Photos supplied by Healthy Rivers To Reef

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A key marine monitoring program improving understanding of the Isaac coastline will continue for another three years, thanks to renewed funding from Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd (DBCT P/L – Daly Bay) and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (DBI).  

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Daly Bay and DBI will invest $498,000 in the Southern Inshore Program from July 2026 to June 2029, allowing the program to reach a 10-year monitoring milestone in 2027.

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Established in 2017 to fill a critical data gap between Cape Palmerston and Clairview Bluff (south of Mackay), the program has grown from water quality monitoring to include seagrass and coral, providing the only long-term environmental dataset for a little-known section of the Queensland coast.

From underwater coral assessments to seagrass monitoring by helicopter, DBCT P/L Manager of Safety, Risk and Environment, Ricci Churchill, said the program demonstrated what could be achieved when industry, science and community partners worked together toward a shared goal.

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“The Southern Inshore Program has become a highly important source of environmental knowledge for the region,” she said.  

“Before the program commenced in 2017, there was no data available for this vital area of the Isaac coastline. We are proud to be working with Healthy Rivers to Reef and DBI to support the next phase of monitoring.

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“By renewing our support for another three years, we are continuing to invest in the science and partnerships needed to better understand regional ecosystems and ensure future management decisions are backed by robust scientific data.”

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DBI Director of Enterprise Planning and Sustainability Tim Bruton said it had been great to see the monitoring expand and mature, providing a much clearer picture of conditions in the Southern Inshore Zone.

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“Having access to reliable, long-term environmental data is essential for understanding and managing these important marine ecosystems,” he said.

“DBI is pleased to continue supporting a program that strengthens regional knowledge and helps inform future environmental management.”

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The funding allows research partners JCU TropWATER, Australian Institute of Marine Science and University of Queensland to continue gathering and analysing environmental data for the region.

Jaime Newborn, Executive Officer of the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership, said the program's next phase planned to expand its focus on iconic marine species such as dugongs and turtles.

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"Nine years of monitoring has shown the Southern Inshore Zone supports some of the region's healthiest seagrass meadows, providing critical habitat and food for dugongs and turtles," she said.

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"The program regularly records dugong feeding trails, and sightings of green turtles and herds of dugongs during field surveys. The next phase will help us better understand how these species use the area and the important role these healthy ecosystems play.

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"This long-term program has transformed our understanding of water quality, seagrass and coral condition along the Isaac coastline.  

“We're incredibly grateful to Daly Bay and DBI, together with our research partners, for their ongoing investment and collaboration."

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For more information on the Southern Inshore Program, visit www.healthyriverstoreef.org.au.

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