Barron River Water Quality
Kuranda is located on the Barron River.
The Barron’s headwaters are in the rainforested hills of the southern tablelands, near Herberton.
From the highlands, the Upper Barron River flows downwards and south towards the flatter land around Mareeba, then eastwards in the direction of the coast.
When it approaches the Kuranda area, the Barron winds past Koah and along the spectacular Myola Valley. Just past Kuranda village, the middle Barron arrives at the Barron Falls, where water tumbles hundreds of metres downwards. The lower Barron then flows into the Coral Sea in the northern beaches of Cairns.
The Barron has been significantly modified by the Tinaroo Dam irrigation scheme which provides water to much of the agricultural land adjacent to the middle Barron. Water flow through the Barron Falls is also regulated by the hydoelectric power scheme located at the falls.
Extensive clearing on the tablelands has silted much of the middle Barron. In recent times, there has been welcome action from the Barron River Integrated Catchment Management Association, along with local landcare groups such as Kuranda Envirocare, to afforest the banks of the Barron. This long-term project may help restore the river’s water quality.
However, FoE Kuranda has growing concerns about pesticide run-off, mainly from the agricultural lands in the middle Barron.
There is no register of pesticides used in the catchment and no testing, regular or otherwise, for pesticide residues in the river or its fauna. This is not responsible management.
We are concerned for the health of the river, the health of those who eat its produce (mainly indigenous people who have customarily fished the Barron for millennia) – and for the health of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef where the Barron eventually flows.
The photo above shows the Barron a couple of kilometres upstream from Myola. This part of the river is a favourite spot for Aboriginal recreational fishers, who consume catch from the river. The health consequences of eating fish from the Barron have never been monitored.
Syd Walker
FoE Kuranda founder member
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Hi I’ve just moved to Kuranda from Sydney. My partner and I both have upset stomachs at the moment. I’ve heard rumors of contaminated water and as I drink tap water I was wondering what your thoughts are. I will buy a water filter if there are water problems, which I’m told there are. look forward to your thought.
regards
Anette