Qld waterways to be revitalised ahead of Brisbane 2032


Thursday, 17 July, 2025

Qld waterways to be revitalised ahead of Brisbane 2032

Resilient Rivers South East Queensland (RRSEQ) has announced a $30 million program that will revitalise the health and resilience of South East Queensland (SEQ) waterways, wetlands and Moreton Bay before, during and after 2032.

Funding includes $21.3 million already committed through the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ), alongside the $8.7 million from partners including SEQ councils and Seqwater.

The two-year investment (2025–26 and 2026–27) is planned to be the largest coordinated program of waterway and habitat revitalisation since the program was established following the 2011 floods. The funding will accelerate works to rehabilitate the region’s rivers and streams, preventing more than 16,000 tonnes, or more than 21,000 ute loads, of sediment from entering local waterways each year.

“The growth of our region is both a challenge and an opportunity, and this partnership will help us ensure the ongoing health and resilience of South East Queensland’s incredible waterways,” said Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Chair of the Council of Mayors (SEQ).

“Brisbane River and Moreton Bay are some of our most important natural assets generating billions in economic benefit for trade, tourism and transport; and we need to protect them.”

The program is designed to deliver long-term benefits across the region from Noosa River in the north to Albert River in the south, restoring more than 115 hectares, or 161 soccer fields, of native habitat.

“The Resilient Rivers Initiative program is a great example of what we can achieve when all levels of government work together to safeguard communities,” said the Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Ann Leahy.

“This program is delivering real results in disaster recovery and long-term flood resilience, including reducing the impact of flood waters and sediment from devastating our communities and ecosystems.”

The investment is planned to help establish the first regional platypus monitoring program using innovative eDNA water sampling to uncover vital information about platypus as well as freshwater turtles and the endangered Australian Lungfish, a species that dates back over 100 million years.

More than 200 purpose-built ‘cod hotels’ will also be constructed, with the underwater log structures providing shelter and breeding habitat for the critically endangered Mary River Cod.

“South East Queensland’s greatest tourism drawcards are its natural assets, from the beautiful Moreton Bay to lush rainforests and our unique Aussie wildlife,” said Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation Andrew Powell.

“Through the Resilient Rivers Initiative, we’re partnering with councils to deliver real, on-the-ground action to restore waterways, revitalise native habitats and ensure Queensland’s natural beauty is protected for generations to come.

“Whether it’s spotting platypus in the wild, kayaking at Moreton Bay’s islands or exploring Scenic Rim or Sunshine Coast’s lush rainforests, this program will help protect ecotourism and support local jobs to deliver lasting benefits for the people who live, work and visit here.”

An additional 200,000 new native plants will support some of SEQ’s most vulnerable species, with science and natural solutions harnessed as part of the program to combat invasive weeds.

Resilient Rivers (SEQ) is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the SEQ City Deal, which aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region — home to more than four million residents.

“While other global cities are known for buildings and structures, South East Queensland is known for its pristine landscapes, waterways and coastlines and we want that to be a focus during the Brisbane 2032 Games,” Schrinner said.

Image caption: Resilient Rivers Catchment Officer Chris Hoffman at Lockyer Creek.

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