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We have compiled answers to some frequently asked questions about the Partnership. If you require further information, please contact us. 

What is the Partnership?

The Partnership is a collaboration between community, Traditional Owners, industry, agriculture, tourism, science, fishers, and all levels of government with an interest in waterway health across five regional basins, estuaries, and the adjacent marine areas and the Great Barrier Reef.

Partners are working towards a shared vision of healthy rivers and Reef, contributing to a prosperous Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac regoin.

Our purpose is to provide a complete picture of our region’s waterway condition and advocate for improved waterway health.

Partners support this vision and purpose by providing funding and resources, and by contributing monitoring data where available.

When was the Partnership established?

The Partnership was formally established in October 2014 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Additionally, a consolidated set of agreements have been developed and agreed upon by the Partnership to ensure that all Partners have a common understanding of the governance and operation of the Partnership.

What are the Partnership's aims and objectives?

To achieve our vision and purpose, we have four main objectives:

  1. Engaged partners that collaborate on innovative ideas and actions to improve waterway health.
  2. Advocate for investment to increase our understanding of waterway conditions to prioritise and inform decision making.
  3. Identify, collate, integrate and analyse existing data from waterway monitoring programs and translate it into understandable messages and stories for the public.
  4. Celebrate and inspire actions that improve waterway health.

Who are the Partners?

How can I join?

The Partnership welcomes any organisation or community representative with an interest in maintaining, and improving waterway health within our reporting region.

Membership contributions are tiered according to the type and size of the member organisation and payable on an annual basis. Our Partners nominate a representative to attend and contribute to Partnership meetings and forums; and to manage the connections, relationships and opportunities that are generated through the Partnership.

Find out more about joining the Partnership here.

How does the Partnership benefit members?

Improve your business’s triple bottom line. Invest in your community and environment.

Regional priorities. We advocate for regional priorities identified by the Partnership.

Collaboration. Partners form valuable connections, and co-invest on projects where synergies naturally exist.

Robust data with integrity. We provide a baseline that can be used by decision-makers to initiate informed waterway management actions.

Have a seat at the table. The Partnership represents one of the only local channels to be a formal part of waterway health, with support from different levels of government.

Stability and engagement. More than 80% of current Partners are founding members.

Influence our future, and promote your commitment. Have a say in how the Partnership evolves, and use provided material to promote your involvement.

Does the Partnership undertake on-ground work?

The Partnership’s primary purpose is communicating the condition of regional waterways through the annual report card and addressing data gaps. As data gaps are filled, the report card will better highlight priority areas for investment in new and enhanced management activities. The Partnership showcases programs and on-ground projects undertaken by Partners through an annual Stewardship Report.

Who hosts the Partnership?

The Partnership is currently hosted at Reef Catchments which is the Natural Resource Management Group for the Mackay-Whitsunday region. Reef Catchments represents an excellent host for the Partnership due to their involvement in regional initiatives directly related to waterway health outcomes.