Considering the economic and social impacts of protecting environmental values in specific Moreton Bay/SEQ, Mary River Basin/Great Sandy Strait Region and Douglas Shire waters (Report prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government)

Considering the economic and social impacts of protecting environmental values in specific Moreton Bay/SEQ, Mary River Basin/Great Sandy Strait Region and Douglas Shire waters (Report prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government)

The results of this research demonstrate that there are very large and damaging economic and social impacts associated with potential further declines in water quality. Because conservative estimates have been used to assess most impacts, these results are probably understated. The case for averting these impacts by at least maintaining current water quality levels is very strong.

It is expected that reductions in sediment and nutrient loads will be needed in some waterways simply to avoid further declines in water quality standards. These results indicate strong justification exists for current Government programs to improve water quality, as well as for further program work.

There is also a strong case for improving water quality above current standards through advanced intervention strategies. These are general findings, and there will need to be some sensitivity to individual sites where variations in loads and appropriate intervention strategies can be expected. More detailed economic analysis would be required to assess the net benefits of those strategies at individual sites, under the general framework and conclusions outlined above.

This report is copyright with Central Queensland University.