Last Saturday, NQCC member Malcolm and NQCC Community Campaigner Luna joined a saltmarsh monitoring expedition right here in Townsville, led by the newly active local chapter of Earthwatch.

Saltmarshes might look plain from afar - only good for drifting or dumping rubbish - but that couldn’t be further from the truth. These vital ecosystems are surprisingly diverse, full of colour after the recent rains, and teeming with unique plant and animal life.

The Great Barrier Reef is renowned for its ecological importance and beauty. However, it is under increasing threat from a range of pressures including climate change, poor water quality from Reef catchments, extreme weather events and recent extensive coral bleaching.

The Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017–2022 is a joint commitment of the Australian and Queensland governments that seeks to improve the quality of water flowing from Reef catchments to the Great Barrier Reef.

In October 2024, NQCC provided feedback to this plan.