Supporting the next generation of natural resource management professionals is key to long-term outcomes across the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. Through the Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program, Reef Catchments is investing in local capability, helping ensure critical skills stay in the region.
Funded by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by Queensland Farmers’ Federation, the program connects early-career extension professionals with industry. Trainee Teagan Schermer gained valuable on-ground experience, supporting sustainable agriculture and water quality projects.
“Being part of the program has given me exposure to a wide range of people, projects and industries. It’s helped me understand how extension works and how important relationships are in achieving change,” said Teagan (pictured right).
For Reef Catchments, hosting a trainee strengthens capability and supports future extension capacity.
“The program aligns with our values. We are focused on working collaboratively with landholders and partners to deliver practical outcomes. Bringing in emerging professionals introduces fresh perspectives and helps ensure existing regional knowledge is passed on,” said Reef Catchments Sustainable Agriculture Manager, Todd McNeill (pictured left).
Congratulations to Teagan on completing the program. We’re thrilled she’s continuing on as a Project Officer with our Sustainable Agriculture team!
Women in Agriculture Mackay Whitsundsay Isaac Workshops
Women in Agriculture (WiA) workshops continue to build skills and confidence across the region, with two recent events delivering strong outcomes for local producers.
The Paddocks & Pasture Workshop (pictured top) delivered by Reef Catchments’ Kellie Harmsworth alongside Nightcamp Agriculture’s Jim Fletcher, brought together around 25 participants near Marian to explore soil health, pasture improvement and grazing management. The session’s hands-on approach helped participants build confidence in applying simple, cost-effective changes, with “test and adjust” emerging as a key takeaway.
At the Cattle Data Workshop (pictured bottom), facilitated by Roxanne Morgan, producers strengthened their understanding of how to collect and use data to inform livestock and business decisions. The small, interactive format supported both new and experienced producers, resulting in clear improvements in confidence and practical application.
These workshops highlight the value of practical, peer-based learning - supporting women in agriculture to strengthen decision-making and drive productivity and sustainability outcomes across the region.
Beyond Barriers: New Videos, Infographics & Fish Monitoring Results Available
Funded by the Australian Givernment's Reef Trust, the project worked to revitalise two critical coastal wetland ecosystems in the Mackay and Isaac regions. By restoring degraded habitats and improving fish connectivity, the project strengthened the ecological health of the Great Barrier Reef catchments and demonstrated what targeted, collaborative restoration can deliver.
To highlight these achievements, several resources are now available on our website:
Video case studies showcasing the restoration works, partnerships, and on-ground success.
Infographics offering a visual snapshots of key results and site improvements.
Fish monitoring reports, comparing baseline (pre-works) and post-restoration results. These reports clearly demonstrate the impact of the works, including the rapid return of native species such as barramundi, increased fish diversity and movement following improved connectivity, and easurable improvements in wetland condition and habitat function.
Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership
On Country monitoring in the Carmila Creek Estuary
This month Yuwi Ranger Anfernee and Koinmerburra Ranger Tahlia joined the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership and the Aquatic Ecosystem Health team from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, getting hands-on with local water quality monitoring while building valuable field skills.
The estuary monitoring program plays an important role in our region, providing the only long-term local estuary water quality dataset for the area. It's a great opportunity to learn, connect with Country, and contribute to understanding and protecting our waterways.
Carmila is one of eight estuaries (20 monitoring sites) sampled each month across the region. Data is used in the regional waterway health Report Card for Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac, helping build a clearer picture of estuary health over time.
A big thank you to everyone involved in making these monitoring days possible.
Water quality monitoring sheds light on unique Southern Inshore Zone
A new report released as part of the Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership’s Southern Inshore Program provides the latest insights into water quality conditions along the Isaac coastline. Prepared by James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), the report presents findings on water quality conditions in coastal waters between Cape Palmerston and Clairivew Bluff. The report provides an analysis of data collected on nutrients, sediments, chlorophyll-a and pesticides during the 2024-25 monitoring period.
TropWATER Senior Research Scientist Dr Paula Cartwright said the research was particularly important due to the unique characteristics of the Southern Inshore region, and a lack of prior research undertaken in the area.
“What I really like about the Southern Inshore Program is that it collects data on a region that has had little previous research done. It’s a really unique area and it’s great for us to understand what is happening in that ecosystem,” Dr Cartwright said.
Overall, water quality conditions remained within expected seasonal ranges for an inshore Great Barrier Reef system, with wet season rainfall driving short-term changes in sediments and nutrients. Chlorophyll-a levels were generally low, and detected pesticide concentrations remained within relevant guideline values during the monitoring period.
The Southern Inshore Program is made possible thanks to funding from Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty Ltd and Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure, with in-kind support provided by the Australian Institute of Marine Science and TropWATER.
It’s been a busy few weeks for the Reef Catchments team, connecting with communities across the region at local shows and events.
At Show Whitsunday, we were thrilled to meet so many locals, from families and gardeners to landholders and delivery partners, keen to chat about reef health, biodiversity and sustainable land management. Our interactive stall featured hands-on displays including the rainfall simulator and soil cores, helping bring to life how soils function and why they matter. We also appreciated the opportunity to connect with key partners, including Sugar Research Australia and Sugar Services Proserpine, with Dylan Wedel and Frank Millar joining us on the day. It was fantastic to see such strong interest in programs like Reef Water Quality and Paddock to Reef.
Meanwhile, the team enjoyed a great day out at the Pioneer Valley Show, soaking up the community atmosphere in the Pioneer Valley. The event drew strong crowds from across the region, including Mackay, with plenty of visitors stopping by the Reef Catchments stall. It was especially encouraging to connect with both new and long-term landholders, reflecting the strong relationships our Sustainable Agriculture team has built in the region and the genuine interest in the work happening on-ground.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello! we always value the chance to connect and share what we do.
Come and say hello to the Reef Catchments team at a range of upcoming community events across the region this July! You can find us at:
The St Lawrence Wetlands Weekend - Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July
The All Things Beef Expo - Saturday 4 July
Mackay NAIDOC celebrations - Friday 10 July
The Sarina Show - Friday 31 July
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
Resilient Catchments Register
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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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