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The health of rivers and wetlands in Townsville will be the subject of a new annual newsletter designed to identify "priority areas" for improvement.
The state government has committed $ 520,000 over two years for a new "Dry Tropics" partnership for health waters announced by Minister of the Environment and Great Barrier Reef, Leeanne Enoch, in Townsville on Tuesday.
"The new partnership for healthy waters with dry tropical waters brings together government, local community representatives, traditional owners, farmers, scientists, tourism operators and others to improve health." local waterways leading to the Great Barrier Reef, "said Enoch.
"Our government is leading the way in addressing the two biggest threats to the Great Barrier Reef – climate change and poor water quality."
The new Partnership Chair, Mr. Di Tarte, said the new report card would help improve waterways in the arid tropics.
"By providing detailed information on local waterways, we can identify the priority areas in which we need to act and engage the community to make changes," said Ms. Tarte.
"Our pilot report card should be published in April of next year."
During her visit to Townsville, Ms. Enoch also met with Belize Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber to discuss the challenges of managing World Heritage reefs.
"The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world and the Belize Coral Reef is the second largest reef system," said Enoch.
"Together with the Government of Belize, we share the desire to minimize the impacts of climate change and to ensure that the Great Barrier Reef System and the Belize Barrier Reef System are protected for future generations.
"Recently removed from the list of World Heritage Sites in Danger, the people of Belize have also taken extraordinary steps to improve and protect their reef."
Ms. Enoch also announced that former US Vice President Al Gore would be traveling to Queensland to hold a leadership training event on climate change next year.
More than 1,000 people from Australia and the Pacific are expected to attend the three-day event organized by the Climate Reality Project in Brisbane.
"I spoke to Al Gore during my participation in the World Summit for Climate Action in September and I encouraged him to introduce himself and present the project" Climate Reality "in the Queensland, "said Ms. Enoch.
"This major event will provide businesses and community leaders with the skills they need to engage the community on climate change.
"Climate change is a fundamental challenge facing our planet today and it is essential that we unite to take urgent and energetic measures to reduce our carbon pollution."
Originally published as a $ 520,000 boost for reef protection in Townsville
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