Issues of concern to the region

Issues of major concern to the region were recognised as including:

• increased nutrient, sediment and other chemical loads flowing to the Great Barrier Reef

• loss of wetlands through clearing and drainage

• loss of connectivity between rivers, wetlands and estuaries with consequent loss of fish habitat

• loss of freshwater and tidal flow regimes

• loss of irrigation potential due to irrigation-induced salinity, marine intrusion, and nutrient and other contamination in surface water and groundwater

• loss of grazing potential due to land degradation.