Seqwater is working with the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee (MRCCC) and local landholders to deliver a series of projects to prevent sediments and cow manure from local farms, flowing into the Mary River.

Seqwater Source Protection Senior Planner Tim Odgers, said the years of investment and hard work to improve land management practices in the Mary River catchment, had not only improved water quality in the drinking water source but helped protect the endangered Mary River turtle.

The Mary River turtle is a large freshwater turtle, endemic to the Mary River. The species is currently listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation and Nature (ICUN) and other conservation groups.

“We are excited to see the positive results that have come from the partnership with the MRCCC,” Mr Odgers said. “Both organisations share a commitment to sustainable catchment management, improving our drinking water sources and protecting our environment.

“Good water quality in the Mary River is vital for local farmers, the community and the survival of the Mary River turtle.

Mr Odgers said Seqwater and the MRCCC had been working closely with numerous farmers along the Mary River, like second generation dairy farmer Kelvin Cochrane to carry out a range of farm improvements. 

Through the program, Mr Cochrane had made upgrades to his dairy farm effluent system to significantly decrease the amount of sediment and cow manure from entering the waterway.

“The Mary River is the lifeblood of the community, in making these improvements I am thinking about the future,” Mr Cochrane said. “It makes sense to me to support programs that enhance the quality of the local river so that it’s in good condition for the next generation of my family and my farm.

Seqwater has also funded the MRCCC Turtle Conservation Program in Kenilworth to increase the number of turtle hatchlings by protecting nests from predators.

Mr Cochrane joined members of the MRCCC in releasing 14 Mary River turtle hatchlings, to assist the next generation of the species.

Mr Cochrane said it was a very special experience and was pleased to see that the health of the Mary River was supporting the recovery of the endangered species.

Recently, the Zoological Society of London assessed the Mary River Turtle as the 29th most endangered reptile in the world under their EDGE of Existence program.

It is estimated over the past 50 years the Mary River Turtle’s population has decreased by 95%.