Sandringham Wetlands is part of the ‘High priority coastal and island restoration for the protection of significant ecological communities and species project’ and is funded by the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, and delivered through the National Landcare Program Regional Land Partnerships agreement.

The Sandringham Wetland Complex provides many important functions to Mackay Whitsunday Isaac coastal areas due to its soils and water holding capacity. Wetlands are the boundary between two different ecosystems, dry and wet, which means they have a unique role in nutrient cycling and water supply to the surrounding lands, as well as providing food, shelter and the chance to reproduce for many different plants and animals.

The objective of this project is to improve the ecological function and condition of the Sandringham Wetland Complex and TECs within the region including habitat enhancements to protect threatened and socioeconomically significant fish species through the removal of barriers to fish migration.

The work being done has an impact-driven, on-ground focus, and activities are planned on a site-by-site basis, working with landholders and land managers as well as technical experts to improve function and condition.

Activities include revegetation, weed and pest control, facilitating management practice change, development of site-specific management plans, and installation of fish-friendly structures to improve fish passage, freshwater retention and availability.

As a landholder in the Sandringham Wetland Complex, Jason Bradford has grown up on the land and has a close relationship with the environment along with the need to maintain a profitable and healthy grazing business.  Working in conjunction with Reef Catchments on the project, Jason is achieving his vision for sustainable grazing alongside an enhanced environment full of life.

The success of the project and Jason’s contribution were recognised with the Reef Conservation Champion Award for 2022 at the Queensland Farmers Federation Reef Champion Awards held in Cairns recently.

The awards recognise and celebrate the achievements and efforts of outstanding individuals and organisations who have taken action to improve the quality of water entering the Great Barrier Reef.

Read more about the Reef Champion Awards win here.

Jason receiving his Reef Champion Award in 2022.