Council renews representation on Rivers Improvement Trust

Scenic Rim Deputy Mayor Duncan McInnes (right) and Councillor Marshall Chalk who have been reappointed to the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust

Scenic Rim Deputy Mayor Duncan McInnes and Councillor Marshall Chalk have been reappointed to a statutory body committed to working with landholders to improve the health of the region's waterways and their river and creek banks. 

At today's Ordinary Meeting, Council's representatives were appointed for the next four years to the five-member Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust, which is supported by a $90,000 contribution from Scenic Rim Regional Council. 

Cr Chalk, Scenic Rim's Biodiversity and Agribusiness Portfolio Councillor, said the Rivers Improvement Trust's work focused on minimising stream bank erosion, mitigating the impacts of flooding and promoting environmental sustainability, particularly in the upper reaches of the region's waterways. 

"The trust supports Council by working with local landowners and community groups to raise awareness of environmental issues such as erosion, weed control and the importance of maintaining riparian corridors," he said. 

"A current focus of the trust is helping landowners to manage invasive weeds, which degrade our waterways and also contribute to flooding and the erosion of river and creek banks. 

"Of particular concern are Cat's Claw Creeper and Chinese Celtis, which kill native trees and shrubs, destroy native wildlife habitat and reduce the productivity of agricultural land." 

Cr McInnes said the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust was constituted under Queensland's River Improvement Trust Act 1940 with powers and responsibilities under the legislation for maintaining the health of riparian areas and downstream waterways. 

"Following the 2008 local government amalgamation, the Boonah Rivers Improvement Trust, which was established in 1975, was expanded to manage the waterways of the entire Scenic Rim region," he said. 

“The Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust's efforts to enhance the health of our waterways not only benefit our community's water quality but also have a flow-on effect to the wider South East Queensland region."