Great Barrier Reef ESC & USW Best Practice Capacity Building Program

Bringing waterways and communities to life and protecting native species through water-sensitive urban design

water and a drop Improving understanding and implementation of erosion and sediment control (ESC) and urban stormwater (USW) best practice techniques

Building capacity for better erosion, sediment control and urban stormwater management to protect the Great Barrier Reef

Healthy Land & Water's Water by Design Program is delivering comprehensive capacity-building activities to improve water quality outcomes across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments.

The program works with government and industry to develop, promote and implement policy and best management practices that facilitate urban development while minimizing pollution emissions to our waterways.

This initiative builds on previous work in both South East Queensland and the GBR region, delivering a range of capacity-building, awareness raising and decision-support tools, resources and activities. Through workshops, training events, Community of Practice events, embeds with local governments and targeted communication products, the program aims to enhance understanding and implementation of erosion and sediment control (ESC) and urban stormwater (USW) best practices.

Supporting local governments and industry to protect water quality in the Great Barrier Reef catchment

What we are doing

two hands catching water from a tap Improving knowledge and capacity of regional councils and industry to implement Water Sensitive Urban Design.The program focuses on:

Improving understanding and implementation of erosion and sediment control (ESC) and urban stormwater (USW) best practice techniques, technologies, policy and legislation across GBR regions.
Enhancing compliance monitoring and enforcement of ESC by local government to improve implementation on development and building sites.
Encouraging local government investment in urban water quality improvement areas.
Facilitating better communication and knowledge sharing of local ESC and USW project outcomes.

Measuring success

As a result of the project, the following will be achieved:

Reduced sediment runoff from building and development sites across GBR catchments, leading to improved aquatic ecosystem health.
Reduced sediment, nutrient and litter runoff from urban areas across the GBR catchments.
Protected and enhanced urban waterways while enabling sustainable use of waterways and water resources.
Improved local government and industry capacity to implement and enforce best practice ESC and USW.
Increased government, industry and community awareness of best practice ESC and USW.

Why these projects are important

Urban runoff and poor water quality pose significant threats to local waterways and downstream marine environments, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

Recent evaluations have identified opportunities to mitigate pollution in the region’s waterways and marine environment.

Through this program, Water by Design is working with government and industry to develop, promote and implement policy and best management practices that facilitate urban development while minimising pollution emissions to our waterways. The program delivers capacity-building, awareness raising and decision-support tools, resources and activities, including workshops, training events, Community of Practice events, and targeted communication products.

The program aligns with the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan and focuses on supporting local governments and industry across the GBR regions to improve water quality outcomes through better erosion, sediment control and urban stormwater management practices.

Project snapshot

Project name:	Great Barrier Reef ESC & USW Best Practice Capacity Building Program (February 2023-July 2026) $1,000,000
Project manager:	Karen Toms, Healthy Land & Water
Project team:	Water by Design
Catchment:	Great Barrier Reef
Project funding and partnerships	This program is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation. Projects will be delivered in collaboration with First Nations peoples, local government authorities and community stakeholders.

Project collaborators

Projects will be delivered in collaboration with local government authorities and development and building industry stakeholders.

This program is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.

Queensland Government landscape