Date: 29 May

RSVP: 24 May

Registration: 8:00am

Event: 8:30 am – 3:30pm

Location: CQLX Gracemere (16 Saleyards Rd, Gracemere Q 4702), with a site visit to Bindaree, Garnant

The Fitzroy P2R Forum will bring together local practitioners, landholders, extension officers and scientists to discuss water quality issues in the Great Barrier Reef – Fitzroy region. This in-person forum will feature presentations and interactive sessions led by government agencies and FBA staff, along with a visit to Bindaree, the site of a major riverbank restoration project. Lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please indicate any specific dietary requirements during registration. This event is hosted by FBA as part of the Paddock to Reef program, supported by the Australian and Queensland governments.

Event Coordinator and Emcee

Bethlea is the Science Communication Officer at FBA, with a background in education, community development and ecosystem restoration. She is passionate about working with local people to improve the health of ecosystems across central Queensland. Bethlea has been involved in community development in various spheres for two decades and enjoys empowering community groups and individuals to restore ecosystems and conserve our natural assets throughout the region.

For further information.
Email: Bethlea.Bell@fba.org.au
Mobile: 0448 321 452

Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI)

Shaneel is trained as an analytical chemist and also holds qualifications in environmental science. He brings these skills together in his role with OGBR+WH, where he leads water quality programs and helps guide science-backed decisions and reporting. At CQUniversity Shaneel leads a team researching practical solutions in environmental and analytical chemistry. Shaneel also plays a role on the global stage, currently leading the Freshwater chapter for the United Nations’ Global Environment Outlook report, due in 2026.

Shannon van Nunen

Shannon has 15 years’ experience at FBA and is a leader amongst his peers, mentoring and guiding teams to develop and deliver projects. Recognised by a local Native Title holder group, Darumbal People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC as ‘Migan’ (Darumbal for ‘Uncle’), emphasises Shannon’s ability to build meaningful and lasting relationships with essential partners and stakeholders. Through a deep understanding of the Fitzroy region, Shannon has developed, implemented, and reviewed many successful programs.

Braden Mitchell

Braden is a competent freshwater biologist with over six years of industry experience. Alongside a great waterway team Braden has coordinated large streambank rehabilitation projects, riparian zone restoration projects, large scale waterweed removal programs, and multiple waterway projects within the Fitzroy Basin. Braden has also worked in the development of a basin wide water quality monitoring program. With strong verbal, written and interpersonal skills that pair with scientific knowledge, Braden provides well rounded skills and insight into riverine ecosystem management, waterway restoration and erosion management.

Jodee Forbes

As an Environmental Project Officer, Jodee is responsible for assisting with the delivery of projects across the Fitzroy Basin to help promote, protect, and restore the natural environment of the region. Jodee also works within the Waterways team to fulfil the compliance and assessment obligations relating to erosion control projects. This includes local and state government requirements. Jodee is passionate about the environment and is focused on ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Chris Sherriff

Passionate about conservation and exploring the natural world, Chris has extensive experience in several applied conservation projects in Australia and Southern Africa. As a Project Officer, Chris plans, manages, delivers and reports on FBA waterways projects and services. He also provides technical advice on waterway management principles and practices. Chris has vast technical knowledge and skills, including experience applying Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Jasmine Pippen

Jasmine is passionate about environmental conservation and sustainable practices. She has hands-on experience in environmental conservation and project management. As a Project Officer, Jasmine plans, manages, delivers and reports on FBA waterways projects and services. She also provides technical advice on waterway management principles and practices. Jasmine is eager to deliver meaningful environmental outcomes and help drive the region’s sustainability efforts, as well as contribute to the protection and enhancement of central Queensland’s natural resources.

Mick Alexander

Mick Alexander is a grazier and educator who manages Bindaree, a 1400 ha farm, in the pristine floodplains of the Fitzroy River (42km from Rockhampton) with his wife, Noela and sons Lachlan and Mathew. Bindaree is a certified organic and regenerative beef business that breeds and finishes on grass and has a focus on animal health and retaining moisture with Natural Sequence Farming. Bindaree has a diverse mix of pastures from Kangaroo grass, Blackspear and Bluegrass to improved legumes of stylo, butterfly pea and progardes and composite beef breeds with Braford, Droughtmaster, Red Poll and Santa-Angus sires.

Paul Humphreys

Paul is the Project Officer for Evaluation in the Paddock to Reef section of DPI. He is an Environmental scientist with a diverse range of experience from working in the not-for-profits/NRM sector, research trial field work, and in environmental consulting as a botanist/ecologist. In recent years Paul has worked in the DPI Paddock to Reef Management Practice Adoption Team that is primarily responsible for the evaluation of public investment in reef water quality programs relating to practice change on agricultural land and landscape repair.

Shawn Darr

Shawn Darr is a Senior Catchment Modeller with DETSI, responsible for the Fitzroy region catchment model as part of the Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting Program. At the start of his government career, he worked in the precision-ag research. This was followed by several years working in land condition assessments. For the past ten years he has been part of the Catchment Modelling team modelling water quality and improving model inputs, including gully erosion maps and model parameters.

Simone Voysey

Simone is managing the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Review in DETSI. With over 15 years of experience, she is a program and strategic policy expert. Simone has been responsible for many initiatives and reviews, including the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan, Reef Regional Report Card Partnerships, Queensland Wetland Program and more recently supporting Reef Traditional Owners in the development of the Reef 2050 Traditional Owner Implementation Plan and establishment of the Reef Traditional Owner Taskforce.