New Strategic Plan Launches Our Vision for the Future
Reef Catchments is proud to launch our new Strategic Plan, providing a clear roadmap for how we will continue to connect environment, community and economy across the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region.
Guided by our vision of "Resilient ecosystems, engaged community", the plan outlines five strategic themes that will shape our work in the years ahead: Innovating for Impact, Delivering High Value Services, Investing in our People, Strengthening Partnerships & Engagement, and Excellence in Delivery.
Built on our core values of Purposeful, Connected, Respect, Accountable and Evolve, the Strategic Plan reinforces our commitment to delivering practical, evidence-based solutions that sustain, safeguard and enhance our region's natural resources now and into the future.
We invite our partners, stakeholders and community to explore the plan and join us as we work together towards lasting environmental and social outcomes. View the Strategic Plan here.
Supporting Red Goshawk Conservation
Reef Catchments has released a new factsheet as part of its Priority Species series, highlighting the habitat requirements, threats and management actions needed to help conserve the Red Goshawk (Erythrotriorchis radiatus), one of Australia's rarest birds of prey.
Listed as Endangered in Queensland and nationally, the Red Goshawk occurs across northern and eastern Australia, including parts of the Mackay Whitsundays. With only an estimated 350-500 breeding pairs remaining nationally, protecting and restoring suitable habitat is critical to the species' long-term survival.
The factsheet outlines the key habitat features Red Goshawks depend on, the major threats facing the species, and practical actions landholders and land managers can take to help protect important habitat across the region. Check out the factsheet here.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Reef Catchments, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. Photo Credit: Chris MacColl.
Site Coordinates Available: Cast a Line at Mackay's Rubble to Reef Sites
The Turning Rubble to Reef in the Mackay Whitsundays project is helping restore fish habitat and strengthen reef resilience, with 30 purpose-built Habitat Reef (HR) modules deployed in Mackay’s coastal waters. Designed with a large cave for adult fish and smaller refuge holes for juveniles, the 1.6-tonne concrete modules create shelter and habitat for a range of marine species.
Recent monitoring at depths of around 10-12 metres has shown promising early results, with species including Red Emperor, Coral Trout and Golden Snapper already utilising the structures. For recreational fishers keen to explore these new habitats, detailed multibeam imagery and GPS coordinates are now available for both deployment sites. View the site maps and coordinates here.
The Turning Rubble to Reef in the Mackay Whitsundays project (Rubble to Reef) is funded by the Australian Government’s Fisheries Habitat Restoration Program (FHRP) and delivered through the Regional Land Partnerships models. Photo credit: CS Environmental.
H5 Bird Flu Preparedness Strengthened Across Queensland's NRM Sector
Queensland's regional NRM organisations recently came together in Brisbane to strengthen their preparedness for a potential H5 bird flu outbreak, reinforcing the sector's important role in wildlife disease surveillance and biosecurity response.
Delivered by NRM Regions Queensland through the Queensland Government's Biosecurity Boost Grants Program, the workshop combined expert presentations with simulated outbreak scenarios, helping participants understand how to identify, record and report potential cases while maintaining strict safety protocols.
The training comes as Queensland investigates its first suspected positive case of H5 bird flu in a wild bird found on Moreton Island. While there have been no confirmed detections in native birds or poultry in Queensland and the risk to human health remains unchanged, vigilance remains critical.
Regional NRM staff are often the eyes on the ground in natural environments and play an important role in early detection and surveillance. The workshop reinforced the simple principle of Avoid, Record, Report: avoid contact with sick or dead birds, record observations, and report any suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
The workshop also provided practical resources and guidance to support ongoing preparedness across Queensland's NRM sector, helping ensure staff are equipped to respond appropriately to emerging biosecurity threats. For more information and to access the H5 bird flu workshop resources, visit the NRM Regions Queensland website here.
Join local seagrass scientists for a hands-on volunteer event restoring precious seagrass meadows in our region. Help collect seagrass flowers in Bowen and Seaforth to support restoration efforts and contribute to the long-term health of our coastal ecosystems.
Come and say hello to the Reef Catchments team at a range of upcoming community events across the region this August! You can find us at:
The Great Barrier Reef Festival - Friday 31 Augst to Sunday 2nd August
The Sarina Show - Saturday 1 August
Proserpine High School Careers Day - Tuesday 4 August
Mackay North State High's Finding Your Future - Tuesday 4 August
Splashfest Mackay - Saturday 8 August
Wetland Walkabout Open Day - Saturday 15 August
Our team will be on hand to chat about our projects, share resources and connect with landholders, community members and partners. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more upcoming events in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, click our Events Calendar button below.
Resources
H5 Bird Flu Key Resources
NRM Regions Queensland have developed a suite of H5 bird flu resources for NRM field officers, land managers, landholders and the general public, including:
We're building a community-driven register of potential natural resource management (NRM) activities across our region. Share your knowledge. Register your idea. Shape the future of our land, sea and waterways.
Board Directors - Agriculture and Traditional Owner Sector Representatives
Reef Catchments is seeking two experienced, values-driven Directors to join its Board: an Agriculture Sector Representative and a Traditional Owner Sector Representative.
Events Coordinator
The Events Coordinator provides organisation-wide coordination, planning and practical support for Reef Catchments and Healthy Rivers to Reef events, stakeholder engagement activities.
Reef Catchments is proudly working with 11 regional organisations through NRM Regions Queensland to deliver coordinated natural resource management across the state.
Together, we’re delivering a $117.84 million investment in on-ground projects to improve soil, water and biodiversity, through the Queensland Government’s NRM Expansion Program.
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