BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 24 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development

The Honourable Dale Last

* Reef Catchments Natural Resources Management group will receive a further $2 million to expand the delivery of its Cattle Creek Restoration Project. * The project will restore further erosion in the Cattle Creek area following ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji. * The project will be delivered through the $117.8 million Natural Resource Management Expansion Program. * TheCrisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and giving local Natural Resources Management groups the tools they need to enhance regional communities.

The Crisafulli Government is helping restore and safeguard the Cattle Creek catchment from future weather events, with a $2 million project boost.

Reef Catchments Natural Resources Management group will receive funding to restore streambank at Cattle Creek following erosion from ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji, and strengthen the riparian corridor, enhance in-stream habitats and reduce sediment flow to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

The additional funding brings the total amount allocated under the Natural Resource Management Expansion Program from the Crisafulli Government to $6,820,500 for the Cattle Creek Restoration Project.

The funding is part of the Crisafulli Government's election commitment for $117.84 toward on-ground land, soil, water and biodiversity programs through Natural Resource Management groups.

Regional Natural Resource Management groups are being supported by the Crisafulli Government to deliver targeted, practical initiatives that improve and restore the areas essential to safeguarding natural assets.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the funding was delivering targeted investment and empowering experts to restore Queensland's natural assets.

"Cattle Creek has been subject to countless major weather events, and the community has been left to deal with the damage from flash flooding and cyclones over the years," Minister Last said.

"We know the best way to safeguard Cattle Creek against future weather events is by investing in preventative measures to stabilise the riverbank and reduce active erosion.

"This funding equips Reef Catchments Natural Resources Management group to deliver a coordinated approach with local landholders to restore and maintain the health of the creek.

"Delivering targeted, on ground investment through local groups who understand the landscape means the people who know the region best can use local knowledge to restore the region's beauty."

Member for Mirani Glenn Kelly said the Crisafulli Government was committed to restoring the natural habitat of the Mackay Region.

"Landholders are a big part of our community across Mackay, and we understand the importance of protecting natural habitat through targeted investment and local solutions," Mr Kelly said.

"Healthy ecosystems mean more resilient farms and better outcomes for regional communities. This is about backing the people who know our regions.

"The Crisafulli Government is strengthening the foundations for a fresh start for our regions after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government left Natural Resource Management groups high and dry with no meaningful funding."

Reef Catchments CEO Katrina Dent said the investment represented a significant turning point to transform a long-standing community concern into meaningful action on the ground.

"By restoring streambanks and improving waterway health, we're helping protect farming land, support local biodiversity, and build resilience for future generations," Ms Dent said.

"This project demonstrates what's possible when local knowledge, science and government investment come together.

"The Queensland Government's commitment through the Natural Resource Management Expansion Program is enabling restoration at a scale that simply wasn't possible before, delivering real outcomes for communities, agriculture and the environment.

"The additional $2 million is a major win for the Pioneer Valley community. It means we can extend restoration works to more priority sites along Cattle Creek, safeguarding more productive land, improving water quality and strengthening the overall resilience of this important waterway which is a strong endorsement of the work already underway and the value of investing in locally led solutions.

"Cattle Creek has been a priority for local landholders for many years. This additional investment allows us to build on the momentum already created, expand restoration efforts and deliver lasting benefits for the people, industries and natural environments that depend on a healthy creek system." 

NRM Regions Queensland CEO Chris Norman said the additional investment would allow Reef Catchments to scale up proven on-ground work that improves water quality from Cattle Creek all the way to the Great Barrier Reef.

"This project exemplifies what the Natural Resource Management Expansion Program is about - backing locally led, practical work that protects productive land, supports our biodiversity, and improves the health of our waterways and the Great Barrier Reef," Mr Norman said.

ENDS

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Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.