BMRG is advancing water quality outcomes across the Great Barrier Reef catchments through fine-scale monitoring of pesticide risk in horticultural landscapes.
At the recent Paddock to Reef (P2R) Forum, Reinier de Koning shared emerging findings from targeted monitoring sites across the Burnett Mary region. These sites were established to fill key data gaps in the existing Pesticide Risk Metric (PRM), which has historically focused on sugarcane production and overlooked the unique pressures from horticultural land use.
While the 2017 Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan assessed pesticide risk as low in many areas, that assessment was based on limited data. Fine-scale monitoring is now revealing a more complex picture. Multiple pesticide actives have been detected in horticulture-dominated waterways, many exceeding national or in-house safety thresholds, highlighting a previously under-recognised risk to aquatic ecosystems.
These insights are informing the development of an updated PRM and a more accurate baseline that reflects the diversity of regional farming practices.
Looking ahead, BMRG and the Catchment Water Quality Alliance will work alongside Traditional Owner groups, catchment care organisations, and landholders to build community-led monitoring programs. This includes delivering training and scientific support to ensure local data is reliable, relevant, and actionable.
Together, we’re building a stronger foundation for decision-making that protects our waterways and the communities, cultures, and species that rely on them.