16 December 2020

Delivering research findings to stakeholders

Hub research has found that reduced flows for Gulf of Carpentaria rivers could mean less food is available for prawns, barramundi and migratory shorebirds. Hub researchers took to the Gulf Development Road recently to present research findings from the Links between Gulf rivers and coastal productivity and Links between Gulf rivers and food for migratory shorebirds projects.

Researchers delivered the following presentations: How important are freshwater flows for Gulf estuaries? (roadshow) and How important are freshwater flows for Gulf estuaries? (roadshow 2).

Professor Michele Burford and Stephen Faggotter from Griffith University spent five days travelling between Cairns and Karumba to meet with key regional research users, including regional government departments, Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC) rangers and staff, local governments and natural resource management bodies. CLCAC Land and Environment Rangers were integrally involved in the migratory shorebird project and contributed their expertise conducting two years of shorebird surveys on the remote coastline.

This research commenced in 2016 with a focus on the Flinders, Gilbert and Mitchell rivers as key rivers flagged for regional water development.

Since the research started, agricultural and water development projects have been initiated in the upper catchments of each river. Project findings are now becoming available to better inform the impacts of development proposals, and to support better decision-making.

For more information contact project leader Professor Michele Burford.

Michele Burford presenting to Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation rangers and staff. Photo: Stephen Faggotter.