A Blueprint for a sustainable Moreton Bay (2025 to 2035)
On April 10th, 2025, REF Environmental hosted Katie Walters from The Moreton Bay Foundation (TMBF). Walters discussed TMBF's “Blueprint for a Sustainable Moreton Bay 2035” initiative, which includes a nine-point action plan. Katie outlined the review's theoretical framework, including an audit of the Bay's knowledge, ecology, condition, threats, and community values.
The Blueprint is about people and nature!
To set the scene for the audience, the REF President, Bob Crudgington provided a presentation on the Moreton Bay Ramsar site. The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty between countries aimed at managing wetlands of international significance. A site must meet one of nine criteria to qualify as an internationally significant wetland, including those related to endangered species, communities, fisheries, and biodiversity. Remarkably, Moreton Bay meets all nine criteria, underscoring its exceptional value.
The report identified excessive sedimentation from erosion and catchment runoff as a major concern for the Bay. Apart from the rural, urban and coastal developmental impacts, some concerns were raised about the impact of large-scaled modifications to the Brisbane River including the potential dredging of shipping channels associated with the Port of Brisbane.
The report identified excessive sedimentation from erosion and catchment runoff as a major concern for the Bay. Apart from the rural, urban and coastal developmental impacts, some concerns were raised about the impact of large-scaled modifications to the Brisbane River including the potential dredging of shipping channels associated with the Port of Brisbane.
Presenter, Katie Walters from the Moreton Bay Foundation
After the presentations, participants discussed community and volunteer support for actions raised in the Blueprint Report. Utilising community programs on migratory waders, marine turtles, and wetland restoration, participants emphasised the need for greater community engagement in restoring our wetlands, protecting our coastlines, educating the public about the Bay's values and natural assets, and advocating for greater investment in conservation programs to government representatives, agencies and other stakeholders. The group put forward a number of potential activities were documented so participants including members of community groups as well as individuals could provide an even greater contribution to the future and sustainability of Moreton Bay
This session was one of a number of community events connecting researchers and industry representatives to members of the community. In recent times there have been presentations on the research associated with koalas and kangaroos, the dolphins of Southeast Queensland, sawfish, shellfish reef restoration and the value of maintaining water quality in our catchment area.
REF Environmental President, Bob Crudgington emphasised the growing popularity of these community forums, which regularly feature speakers from academia and industry. “There’s a real hunger for knowledge and informed discussion on the conservation of Moreton Bay,” he noted.
Local resident Michelle Jones summed up the evening’s mood best: “These meetings are a fantastic way, to connect with others and make a real difference in the community.” Her sentiment echoes a broader shift outlined in the March Biodiversity Report, which reflects growing public concern and engagement around environmental issues. The Blueprint Report and ongoing research highlights that Moreton Bay is at a crossroads—and so are we. The time to act is now, before what makes this region special slips away.