Catchment rehab supports healthier SEQ waterways

AN AVERAGE 20,000 tonnes of sediment a year is being prevented from entering Southeast Queensland waterways after the completion of a fifth stage of creek restoration works in the Lockyer Valley by Port of Brisbane and Healthy Land & Water.

The decade-long partnership is helping protect valuable agricultural land, cut sediment pollution, and restore an important regional waterway.

Bankrolled by Port of Brisbane, the fifth and latest stage of works were delivered as part of the Laidley Creek Restoration Master Plan.

The works cleared and stabilised a one-kilometre stretch of degraded creek bank before replanting hundreds of native plants sourced from a local Lockyer Valley nursery.

Funding has included extended maintenance to support establishment and long-term resilience.

PBPL chief executive Neil Stephens said the project showed the value of sustained, on-ground investment.

“Over the last decade, Port of Brisbane, Healthy Land & Water and our project partners have delivered five Laidley Creek projects, rehabilitating 3.8km of degraded creek beds.

“This is helping prevent, on average, almost 20,000 tonnes of sediment from entering the regional catchment every year,” Mr Stephens said.

“At the site, these projects improve local habitat and water quality and reduce erosion risk to adjoining prime agricultural land – particularly during severe weather events.”

Healthy Land & Water chief executive, Julie McLellan, said the project was contributing to more than one stretch of waterway.

"Projects like this are the building blocks of a healthier Southeast Queensland.

“Restoring Laidley Creek is part of a regional network of connected landscapes, delivering better water quality, stronger biodiversity, and more resilient agricultural land across the whole catchment,” Ms McLellan said.

"Port of Brisbane's sustained investment here shows what natural resource management can deliver when industry commits for the long term.

“This is how we future-proof Southeast Queensland. Investing in its liveability and resilience as the region grows."

Research and monitoring undertaken by PBPL and its partners showed that up to 80% of the sediment depositing in the Port’s navigation channel at the mouth of the Brisbane River originated from degraded creek banks in the Lockyer Valley, some 100km upstream of the port.

Stage 5 builds on a decade-long commitment by PBPL, Healthy Land & Water, landowners and other partners to rehabilitate sections of Laidley Creek and deliver lasting catchment benefits.

PBPL has also supported projects with Brisbane City Council at Downfall Creek and Ipswich City Council at Woogaroo Creek.

Since 2016, PBPL has invested around $6.4m in catchment management projects across SEQ – supporting the rehabilitation of more than 4.3km of degraded waterways and preventing thousands of tonnes of sediment entering rivers each year, benefiting regional waterways, the Brisbane River and the port’s shipping channel.