Leading global mining company Anglo American, along with 25 other organisations have worked together to deliver the first report card for the Fitzroy Basin on the collective health of rivers, creeks, the estuary and marine environment.
The report card developed by the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health, uses the best available science to assess waterway health for the Nogoa, Isaac, Connors, Dawson and Mackenzie river systems and the Fitzroy River estuary, as well as reporting on the condition of the marine environment.
Results were scrutinised by an independent science panel, chaired by Professor Barry Hart to ensure that methods used for assessment were relevant to Fitzroy Basin waterways.
Partners invested almost $1 million to establish the partnership and deliver the first report card for the period from July 2010 to June 2011. They supplied data collected via existing monitoring programs, which represent a collective investment of almost $10 million.
Regional Manager for Environment at Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Carl Grant, said Anglo American was proud to be a major partner and was committed to achieving the Fitzroy Partnership’s aim to provide a more complete picture on river health via the public report card.
“Anglo American operates five mines in Central Queensland’s Bowen Basin, with neighbouring waterways such as the Dawson, Mackenzie and Isaac Rivers located within the Fitzroy Basin,” Dr Grant said.
“It is vitally important for our business to manage our environmental impacts and we implement extensive water monitoring programs upstream and downstream of all our operations, all year round as part of this.
“We also acknowledge that with so many companies working alongside each other in this region, industry should come together like we have through the Fitzroy River Partnership to share data and develop a clear, holistic view of impacts and collectively we can make informed decisions about river health,” Dr Grant said.
The full report card, reporting area overviews, detailed datasets, additional information, river stewardship and grading information are all available online at www.riverhealth.org.au.
Dr Grant said Anglo American was proud to be honest and transparent in terms of presenting this information to the public and said he feels the partnership and report card will benefit the local community by providing peace of mind about the industry adhering to strict environmental conditions.
“It also helps site management better plan their future mining activities.
“Anglo American has committed funds towards the development of a further two report cards and will continue our role as a major partner of the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health,” he said.
The 2010/11 report card will provide valuable information for comparison in future years as more report cards are produced.
Report Card results will be showcased at the Emerald Show 4-5 June, Rockhampton Show 7-9 June, and Biloela Shopping Centre 13-15 June.
Fitzroy Partnership staff will also run several rural barbecues to offer the opportunity to discuss report card results and local waterways in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.
For full details on sessions or to confirm your spot visit www.riverhealth.org.au/news or if you would like to offer to host a barbecue on your property, please call the partnership staff on (07) 4999 2823 or email [email protected]
ENDS