Key messages—FWQAG meeting 11-08-09
The following notes summarise the key outcomes of the inaugural meeting of the Fitzroy Water Quality Advisory Group (FWQAG) held in Rockhampton on 11 August 2009.
Agenda
Draft Terms of Reference for the FWQAG
Key discussion points
- Developing the Terms of Reference
- Agreement on FWQAG’s main aims and role to be captured in the Terms of Reference
Key outcomes
- The draft Terms of Reference to be finalised at the next meeting
Updates on Fitzroy water quality projects
Key discussion points
- Progress of projects arising from A study of the cumulative impacts on water quality of mining activities in the Fitzroy River Basin (PDF)* and Review of the Fitzroy River Water Quality Issues (PDF)* by Professor Barry Hart:
- the effects of combined metals pollution on aquatic organisms and advice sought on how this may be assessed
- update on the cumulative impact model for water quality in the Fitzroy River Basin
- the major improvements to mine discharge licences that are now underway for future protection of water quality in the Fitzroy Basin
- update from the Fitzroy Basin Association on water quality projects and on the release of a Water Quality Improvement Report.
Key outcomes
- Project updates are considered valuable. They will continue to be presented at future FWQAG meetings, and key points will be included in reports of meeting outcomes.
- Advice to be sought from the Department of Environment and Resource Management’s water sciences group on information or projects dealing with multiple pollutants, or co-exposure and possible effects on the aquatic ecosystem.
New Fitzroy water quality website
Key discussion points
- Introduction of the new Fitzroy River website which has been developed to provide access to the latest information on water quality issues.
- Monitoring data, reports and summary notes of FWQAG meetings are to be uploaded to this website as they become available.
Fitzroy River fish health survey results
Key discussion points
- Fish health surveys were carried out in late 2008 and early 2009 with another planned for later in 2009. Reporting for the first survey has not yet been completed.
Key outcomes
- The Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation is to provide an update on the status of the Fitzroy River fish health survey project at the next FWQAG meeting
Responses to Professor Barry Hart's report
Key discussion points
- The Chair invited group members to provide comments on the Queensland Government’s response to recommendation 12 of the Hart report.
Key outcomes
- FWQAG members to provide feedback and comments on the government’s response to recommendation 12.
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 11 December 2009