Griffith University supports the Sustainable Development Goals

Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) – Gold Coast Broadwater

A/Prof. Will Bennett

Please note that this is an on-going project.

Project Description

We provide the City of Gold Coast with monitoring, analytical, and interpretive services through a Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP). The aim of the REMP is to provide a structured, robust and repeatable water quality monitoring program to monitor impact of the release of recycled water generated by the City’s sewage treatment plants. This also includes targeted water quality investigations in response to unique and complex incidences that may pose a risk to the environment. The REMP is one of the largest water quality monitoring programs on the Gold Coast and ensures any potential impact to the environment, as a result of recycled water release, is accurately quantified and communicated to the appropriate government agencies.

Project Personnel and Beneficiaries

City of Gold Coast

Outcomes to Date

This project provides valuable information on the water quality of the Gold Coast Broadwater to the City of Gold Coast, enabling them to properly manage this system. We have also published the data collected as part of this project in a peer-reviewed manuscript that details the baseline water quality conditions of the Broadwater:

Dunn, R. J., Doriean, N. J., Bennett, W. W., Welsh, D. T., Purandare, J., & Tomlinson, R. B. (2022). Baseline water quality of the Gold Coast Broadwater, southern Moreton Bay (Australia). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 185, 114234.

Project Significance

This project ensures that the environmental values of the Gold Coast Broadwater are not negatively impacted by the release of treated wastewater to the coastal environment. The sustainable development of the Gold Coast region will require ongoing monitoring of the water quality of the Gold Coast Broadwater to ensure impacts associated with its rapidly growing population are adequately managed.

Co-authors
Dr Nic Doriean, Prof. Rod Connolly
Project start
Jul 2021
Project end
Academic area
School of Environment and Science
Project location
  • Gold Coast
Project geographical impact
Publication date
July 11, 2023
Last updated
9:32 am, November 27, 2023