Charting a course by the stars: A review of progress towards a comprehensive management plan for Moreton Bay 20 years on

Abstract

Twenty years since a course towards a comprehensive management plan for Moreton Bay and Catchments was charted by Low Choy, what has been achieved and are we heading in the right direction? This paper chronicles the actions taken by a galaxy of diverse stakeholders to enhance the management of the catchments that collect the water that flows into Moreton Bay. The role of community movements such as Landcare and catchment management will be outlined to ascertain the ongoing contribution of these social enterprises to the management of Moreton Bay landscapes. Peak industry groups have also put an increasing focus on the health of the Bay to address catchment issues of priority to the socio-economic fabric of many industries, such as agriculture. The history of the repeated introduction and withdrawal of various strategies and programs by all levels of government will be examined to isolate the successes and shortfalls of these largely short-term commitments to long-term landscape change. The wave of social and scientific collaboration that has been generated by these programs is one of the great success stories in the recent history of natural resource management in the region. The roles played by high profile programs such as the Healthy Waterways Report Card and related planning and implementation initiatives, such as the SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan, in raising awareness and connection to the Bay will also form a central theme of this paper. Significant achievements have been made particularly in raising a broader awareness and understanding of the regional water cycle; however, the necessary social and political capital required to make a transformational change has not reached a critical mass. Progress towards the goal of each principle of the comprehensive management plan for Moreton Bay and Catchments charted by Low Choy is assessed and awarded stars; five stars indicating very significant travel in the right direction.