Our NRM Region: Mapping the future

The Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region has a rich biodiversity providing numerous ecosystem services to the people who live and work here. Natural Resource Management is an essential service for sustainable regional development, with Reef Catchments well positioned as a primary provider of these services in the region.

Developed by Reef Catchments, The NRM Strategic Plan for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region guides the sustainable management of natural resources for the region. The plan is essentially a community-driven document, guided, endorsed, and owned by the residents of Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac. The development of the plan involved substantial contributions and consensus from various stakeholders including landholders, Traditional Owners, industry representatives, community groups and governmental bodies. Reef Catchments collaborated closely with the community to craft this plan, aiming to forge a cohesive and forward-looking strategy for managing the region’s natural resources.

As part of NRM Regions QLD, Reef Catchments is connected to a network of 56 NRM bodies across Australia. This network, which includes 12 independent organisations in Queensland, addresses a wide range of environmental challenges from the Great Barrier Reef to rainforests and rangelands. They work collaboratively on issues such as land management, biodiversity conservation, water quality, catchment repair, sustainable farming, and climate resilience.

These collective efforts are aimed at maintaining resilience and adaptability to change, and aligning human activity with environmental conservation across regional Queensland. Through securing investments and building strong community relationships, NRM Regions QLD aspires to create landscapes that are both resilient and beneficial to local communities. This strategic commitment ensures that the natural beauty and productivity of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region are preserved, supporting both current residents and future generations in living in harmony with their environment.

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