Resilient Rivers South East Queensland (RRSEQ), Seqwater and Lockyer Valley Regional Council
have joined forces to help improve the health and resilience of the region’s waterways.
The new Lockyer Valley Source Protection Partnership will deliver $750,000 over five years to
drive collaborative efforts to support water quality for drinking water supply and will help to deliver
long-term improvements to the health of the Lockyer Valley’s waterways.
Funded through Seqwater, the Partnership is focused on works to enhance local waterways with
investments in the Lockyer Creek catchment, a vital part of the region’s water supply.
Work through the Partnership will start around Gatton with erosion control, removal of invasive
weeds and native vegetation plantings to improve riverbank health and boost habitat for wildlife.
The program will help manage water quality arriving at the region’s biggest water treatment plants
at Mount Crosby, which can produce up to 750 megalitres of drinking water daily (the equivalent of
around 300 Olympic-sized swimming pools) for Brisbane, Logan and Ipswich residents.
Resilient Rivers SEQ is an initiative of Council of Mayors SEQ started in response to the 2011
floods. It has successfully delivered coordinated catchment management for more than 10 years
as a partnership with South East Queensland councils, the Australian Government, Queensland
Government, and key regional waterway and catchment organisations.
RRSEQ is focussed on enhancing the resilience of waterways by increasing native vegetation and
improving erosion control and bank stabilisation. These activities help to slow water velocity and
reduce erosion, minimising sediment runoff downstream that can impact the south east’s drinking
water quality and cause destruction of Moreton Bay marine habitat.
Seqwater Chief Executive Officer Emma Thomas said that the bulk water supplier recognises the
importance of source protection as the first step of its robust water treatment process, and that
they invest more than $10 million into initiatives each year to support the health of south-east
Queensland’s waterways.
“Investing in the health of south-east Queensland’s waterways helps ensure Seqwater’s water
treatment plants can more efficiently and cost-effectively turn source water into clean, safe drinking
water for more than 3.8 million people.
“By working together and investing in the future of our catchments, we can build healthier, more
resilient waterways, ensure a reliable supply of drinking water and protect the local environment for
generations to come.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Treasurer and Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Tanya Milligan
The Council of Mayors (SEQ) – One Region, One Voice said the partnership will help to enhance the
resilience of local waterways during severe weather events impacting the region.
“It is vital we work together to safeguard the future of our waterways from increasing pressures,
including severe weather events such as Tropical Cyclone Alfred. This partnership will drive
meaningful work to stabilise vulnerable landscapes, prevent muddy soil and run off from entering
our local rivers and boost the long-term resilience of SEQ’s waterways.”
