Media Release – 15th May 2014

What is the current state of the water in the Barron river catchment and our drinking water? How does the water quality change with rainfall and drier times? What sort of tests are done for what sort of chemicals and pollutants?

Deputy Mayor Jenny Jensen and council representatives will be discussing these and other questions at the Barron River Catchment Water Quality Forum on Monday 26 May at 6pm at the Kuranda Cybercafe, Rob Veivers Drive, next to the Butterfly Sanctuary. The forum is being organised by Friends of the Earth Kuranda (FoEK).

At last year’s State of the Barron forum in Kuranda, Dr Jon Brodie, a water quality expert from Townsville James Cook University, noted that toxic chemicals such as atrazine, which has been found in the mouth of the Barron river, were not being tested for by council.

“ We are looking forward to working constructively with the new council on these issues” said FoE Kuranda member Sarah Isaacs.

“ We are interested in finding out if council plans to test our drinking water more extensively for toxic chemicals and if the results will be published on the council website.

“Also what options are available to clean up the local rivers and what are the cutting edge methods being used globally? How can we, as a Shire, access funds to pay for what is likely to be an expensive but essential process?

“This is an open forum and anyone with an interest in having cleaner local rivers and drinking water is invited to attend.”

For further details see www.foekuranda.org , ring John on 0499 207 492 or Sarah on 4085 0054 or email [email protected].

Photo by Pam Schultz