Science to save Australia’s coastal waters

Scientists, politicians, environmentalists and community groups have finally turned the tide to better understand and protect Australia’s vast network of coastal beaches and waterways.

Dr Barry Jones, chairman of the new Cooperative Research Centre for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management, said the nation’s 36 000 kilometre long coastal zone is now well and truly in the political and scientific spotlight.

‘Australians love our immense and diverse coastline and most of us live in the coastal zone. However, it has not always been studied in the right way to help decision makers conserve and manage areas impacted by industrial, agricultural or urban uses,’ he said.

‘Coastal development and management are now being studied by teams of researchers, resource managers and community groups to better understand and conserve our estuaries, beaches and catchments. An audit is also being undertaken to assess the health of more than 800 estuaries.’

At the official launch of the CRC in Brisbane on 15 March 2000, the former science minister said the Centre’s $62 million, seven-year collaboration between government agencies, universities and the private sector is a winning formula that will help protect and wisely use Australia’s dynamic coastal zone.

‘The goal of the CRC is to bridge the gaps between science and the community, and between coastal researchers, decision makers and planners. Initially, knowledge will be applied to a major industrial area at Port Curtis, an agricultural region at Fitzroy River and the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay urban catchment, then will expand to other Australian catchments,’ said Dr Jones.

‘The CRC has forged a strong marriage between public and private organisations to integrate resource planning, infrastructure development and water management operations to keep our coastal waters healthy.’

Partners in the Coastal CRC include the Brisbane City Council, Central Queensland University, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Griffith University, James Cook University, the University of Queensland, and Queenslands’ Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Primary Industries.

People (from left) are: Dr Roger Shaw, CEO, Coastal CRC;  The Hon Dr Barry Jones, Chair, Coastal CRC; Olwyn  Crimp, Director of Planning, Environmental Protection Agency;  and Professor Gus Guthrie, Chair, Qld Innovation Council