The Project

Title: Circular Opportunities for the Proserpine System
Duration: Januay 2025 – December 2025
Funding: This project, delivered by Reef Catchments is part of the $5.5 million Reef Place-Based Integrated Projects initiative funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program. This project is part of the Proserpine Integrated Project.

Summary

This project applies a circular economy approach to two of the highest sources of nutrient loss in the Proserpine region — pesticides and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). By tracing these pollutants from source to reef, the project will provide a clearer understanding of how materials move through the catchment and where interventions can deliver the greatest value.

To deliver, Reef Catchments has engaged Australian-owned consultancy pitt&sherry to deliver the region’s first Material Flow Analysis (MFA). This whole-of-catchment analysis will trace the movement of pollutants from source to reef, highlighting where circular solutions can capture, recover, and create value by closing the loop on excess nutrients.

The goal is to identify circular economy interventions that prevent pollutants from entering the system, supporting whole-of-catchment planning and sustainable management

Objectives:

• Identify and quantify pollutant flows across the catchment.
• Map potential circular economy interventions.
• Engage cross-sector stakeholders and supply chains.
• Add value to the green economy through collaborative solutions.

Outcomes:

• Visualised pollutant flows and hotspots across the catchment.
• Identified opportunities for nutrient capture and cycling.
• Strengthened industry partnerships and investment pathways.
• Improved understanding of catchment-wide systems for water quality planning.