The health of Redland’s waterways is expected to improve significantly following a $17 million investment into the Capalaba, Thorneside and Victoria Point Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs).
“Freshwater monitoring results for the 2005 Ecosystem Health Report Card revealed the Redland’s catchment rating declined from a D in 2004 to an F in 2005,” said Redland Shire Council Acting Mayor, Councillor Alan Beard.
The Ecosystem Health Report Card grades South East Queensland’s 18 catchments and 18 estuaries as well as Moreton Bay. The report card provides an annual A (excellent) to F (fail) rating for SEQ Catchments.
“Now in its fifth year, the 2005 Ecosystem Health Report Card also provides a snapshot of the ongoing waterway and catchment management actions being carried out by Councils, ranging from improvements to WWTPs to riverbank rehabilitation projects,” Councillor Beard said. “We believe more freshwater monitoring stations in autumn 2005, coupled with prolonged low flow conditions in Redland’s creeks, contributed to Redland’s lower catchment grade. This coincided with low rainfall and flow conditions in Redland’s creeks.”
As a result, Council has allocated $620,000 in 2005 to the protection and improvement of the health of freshwater streams in the Redland’s catchment.
“More funding for waterways rehabilitation is also being spent on priorities in an extensive waterway restoration plan for Coolnwynpin Creek,” Councillor Beard said. “Work in progress includes replanting streambank vegetation in Capalaba, weed and litter removal, and maintenance of waterway channels in other waterways throughout the Shire.”
“Council’s proactive waterway management planning program aims to identify land based activities that affect water quality and stream health, locations that require particular management action, or protection and rehabilitation priorities.”
Councillor Beard said Council’s contributions to management actions included in the 2005 report card involve:
- installing stormwater quality improvement devices
- constructing water quality wetlands
- planning controls for waterways and wetlands included in Council’s planning scheme
- monitoring pollutants in stormwater run off during rainfall events in the catchment of Leslie Harrison Dam.
“While the Redland Shire Council’s Urban Stormwater Management Plan is in place, the 2005 Ecosystem Health Report Card results show there is a need to proactively manage the impacts of stormwater across the Shire, including inputs from new and existing developments,” Councillor Beard said.
For further information please contact Stephen Dalziel, at Redland Shire Council on (03) 3829 8726.
