Report card shows consistent improvement for two key catchments

Working in partnership with a number of environmental organisations, Scenic Rim Regional Council has helped two key catchments continue to improve their results in the 2020 Healthy Land and Water Report Card.

Compiled by Healthy Land and Water from comprehensive monitoring of South East Queensland catchments, the annual report card, which was issued last week, showed consistent improvements in the Logan and Albert catchments during the past two years, with the Logan achieving a C plus from a C and the Albert moving from a low B minus to a high B minus.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said that protecting and enhancing Scenic Rim waterways had continued to be a focus for Council during the 2019-20 year through partnerships including the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust and the Resilient Rivers Initiative.

“Council is delivering on the Resilient Rivers’ Logan-Albert Catchment Action Plan to address the risks to the lower catchment, as well as the Logan estuary and Moreton Bay, from the very high movement of sediment due to high impact weather events as well as past and present land uses,” he said.

“Sediment eroding from construction sites, for example, not only causes a decline in fisheries but also the recreational amenity of the Logan estuary and all councils have a key role to play in managing activities such as development and construction which have the potential to cause erosion.”

“The Resilient Rivers Initiative is a powerful example of collaboration with Council of Mayors South East Queensland, Logan City Council, Logan Water, Seqwater, the City of Gold Coast, Redlands City Council and Healthy Land and Water.”

Through the Resilient Rivers Initiative, the Logan-Albert Catchment Action Plan focused on a reach of the mid-Logan River targeted for riparian restoration to improve habitat connectivity and retain soil on agricultural land to reduce sediment loads on the Logan River and Moreton Bay.

Key works carried out by Council in 2019-20 included a range of revegetation, bank stabilisation and weed treatment projects.

The management of environmental weeds - which pose a major threat to water health, farm biosecurity, productivity and the preservation of the region’s biodiversity – continues to be a focus of works through the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust.

“Weed species pose many threats to our productive landscapes and natural areas. For example the introduction of Cats Claw creeper vine and Chinese Celtis has dramatically changed parts of our riverine landscapes,” Cr Christensen said.

“By competing for space and smothering native species, these invasive weeds contribute to the loss of valuable topsoil, reduce the productivity of agricultural land and negatively impact biodiversity.

“Council’s collaboration with the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust has expanded on previous years’ riparian management of the Logan and Albert catchments.

“Rural landholders have been supported in tackling heavy infestations of these invasive weeds to enhance waterway health and water quality for the wider Scenic Rim community and Moreton Bay.”

Full details on the Healthy Land and Water Report card can be found at https://reportcard.hlw.org.au/

Image: The Logan River at Allenview in the Scenic Rim is benefiting from the work being done undertaken through the Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust and the Resilient Rivers Initiative.