The Reef 2.0 project has been heralded as an environmental and employment win for south-eastern Cape York. Photo: Supplied.
The uninvited interruption of Tropical Cyclone Jasper has failed to interfere with the successful completion this month of a two-year project to manage gully erosion in Cape York’s Normanby and Bloomfield River catchment areas.
Ten gullies were remediated across Normanby and Mt Louis stations, which are expected to lead to a reduction of over 7,979 tonnes of sediment runoff each year, which in turn will help improve water quality in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
The project not only reduced gully erosion and improved water quality by reducing sediment runoff, but also provided valuable employment and social opportunities for local landholders, workers and jobseekers.
Reef Assist 2.0 was led by Cape York Natural Resource Management (NRM) as part of the State Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and project officer Katelyn Greaves said its outcomes could be measured in economic terms as well as environmental.
“Our participants gained invaluable hands-on experience and life skills,” she said.
“We’ve seen fantastic outcomes, with several now employed in local earthmoving businesses or upskilled in their current roles.
“This project has been transformative for individuals and communities alike.”
Cape York NRM chief executive officer Pip Schroor said the December 2023 natural disaster required some logistical shifts with the delivery of the project but added it had no significant impact on its overall success.
“Midway through this project we had to shift our location and training schedule because of Cyclone Jasper, and then pivot again because of local landholders’ having a different set of needs,” she said.
“Despite all of that, it’s been a very successful project, thanks to the department for enabling us to accommodate those necessary adjustments.
“Our contingency plans to ensure all aspects of this project were completed to a high standard worked and we are very pleased with the results.”
