A partnership between City of Coffs Harbour Council and the University of New England (UNE) which tracks the health of local waterways is being expanded to allow local residents to contribute to the science.
For the last decade, experts have been gathering and analysing data from Bonville, Pine, Boambee, Newports, Coffs, Moonee, Darkum, Arrawarra, Corindi and Saltwater creeks as well as Hearnes and Woolgoolga lakes, assessing water quality, the condition of riverbank vegetation and water bug and fish distribution.
“Gathering information on water quality empowers the City and other government agencies to make informed decisions on the management and maintenance of these natural assets,” said Council Planning and Communities Director, Chris Chapman.
The arrangement has given rise to ‘Ecohealth’, a catchment-based estuary and freshwater monitoring and reporting program.
In a new development, residents can now contribute to the volume of observations through a community portal on the Ecohealth website.
“This is a positive addition as local people have a particular affinity with their neighbourhood creek,” said Mayor, Paul Amos.
While the project continues to evolve and collect data through regular samplings, the latest ‘report card’ for the Coffs Coast rated the water quality as ‘good’.
The Ecohealth project has been further supported by Council through the Environment Levy program.
