Resilient Rivers SEQ 2025-27: Revitalising South East Queensland's Rivers

Program Highlights

Resilient Rivers (SEQ)’s new $30 million program is the largest coordinated effort in waterway and habitat rehabilitation since the initiative began following the 2011 floods.

The landmark two-year program will restore habitat, enhance biodiversity, and improve water security across 16,000 kilometers of rivers and streams, from Noosa to the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.

More than 30 projects across South East Queensland Councils will deliver the first regional platypus monitoring, expand koala corridors, install 200 cod ‘hotels for native fish and plant 200,000 new native plants.

The program will accelerate river rehabilitation across the region, preventing more than 16,000 tonnes (or 21,000 ute loads) of sediment from entering local waterways each year.

 

  • 115+ hectares of native habitat rehabilitation
  • 16,000+ tonnes of sediment kept out of waterways and Moreton Bay annually
  • 30+ projects across 11 councils
  • 200+ new cod ‘hotels’ for native fish
  • 40 kilometres of fish passage reopened
  • 200,000+ new native plants across SEQ
  • 26 hectares of invasive weed eradication
  • Breeding thousands of beetles to control invasive weeds

 

Resilient Rivers (SEQ) is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ). The Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents. It will invest $40M into Resilient Rivers (SEQ) with $10M each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.




Platypus eDNA Monitoring

SEQ’s first regionally coordinated environmental eDNA survey to detect threatened species such as platypus and freshwater turtles, providing critical data for future conservation efforts.

 

 

 

200,000 Native Plants

Planting over 200,000 native plants across 116 hectares to create and enhance habitat for native species while reducing the sediment entering local waterways and Moreton Bay each year.




Boosting Native Fish Populations

Releasing up to 30,000 cod fingerlings, installing 200+ ‘cod hotel’ fish shelters, and restoring 40 kilometres of fish passageways to support native species recovery.




Environmental Stewardship

Collaborating with hundreds of landholders and community members on sustainable land management, including nearly 100 community activations across the region.