High-tech program to protect our water wonders

Sunshine Coast creeks and rivers and the wonderful creatures they contain will benefit from a new eDNA monitoring program.

The program will include more than 200 locations in South East Queensland, marking a major milestone for the region’s conservation.

The $1.2 million initiative will officially begin at sites in Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

It will use innovative environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring to uncover data on the region’s native species, including platypus, rakali, freshwater turtles, lungfish, frogs, and endangered Mary River cod.

Andrew Powell, Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation said that this was  a perfect example of using cutting-edge science to protect Queensland’s incredible environment. 

“Healthy rivers create healthy ecosystems and this will help ensure the region’s wildlife and waterways continue to flourish.’’ Minister Powell said.

The Sunshine Coast waterways included in the program: 

• Brown Creek 
• North Maroochy River  
• South Maroochy River  
• Platypus Creek  
• Petrie Creek  
• Paynter Creek 
• Eudlo Creek  
• Mooloolah River  
• Coochin Creek  
• Doonan Creek  
• South Mooloolah River  
• Tibrogargan Creek  
• Bluegum Creek  
• Coonowrin Creek 
• Little Rocky Creek 
• Mellum Creek 

This is the first regionally coordinated eDNA monitoring program across 11 South East Queensland councils. It also marks the first time cutting-edge eDNA testing will be conducted in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast to create a comprehensive biodiversity snapshot across the south-east.

Led by Resilient Rivers SEQ, and delivered by Wildlife Queensland, data collected will help to support future conservation efforts including vital habitat restoration and waterway management.

Wildlife Queensland Platypus Officer, Dr Tamielle Brunt, said eDNA was revolutionising how we monitored aquatic life.

“By analysing water samples for traces of DNA, we can detect hundreds of species and gain a comprehensive picture of life beneath the surface,” Dr Brunt said.

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 SEQ City Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents.

The SEQ City Deal will invest $40 million into Resilient Rivers SEQ with $10 million each from the Australian Government, Queensland Government, Council of Mayors (SEQ) and Seqwater.

Resilient Rivers SEQ, managed by the Council of Mayors (SEQ), delivers coordinated catchment management to improve the health and resilience of the region’s waterways, including the internationally significant Moreton Bay.

Monitoring will begin this month as part of Resilient Rivers SEQ’s new two-year program to restore habitat, enhance biodiversity, and improve water security across 16,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, from Noosa in the north, to the Logan and Albert Rivers in the south, and west to the Great Dividing Range.

For more information, visit Resilient Rivers SEQ.
 
To find out more and get involved: Wildlife Queensland