REDLANDS CREEKS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE There was a 20 per cent overall water quality improvement in city waterways over the past year, according to the Redland City Council 2013 Redlands Waterway Recovery Report released today. Redland City Mayor Karen Williams hailed the improvement as a great achievement and thanked the local community for its contribution. “This significant improvement is the result of a great deal of hard work and commitment by Council and the community,” Cr Williams said. “This report shows that 93 per cent of freshwater creeks on the mainland and Southern Moreton Bay Islands are in fair to good condition, which is good news for the Redlands community and the health of our environment. “More than 60 per cent of our waterways have scored a B rating, which means they are in good shape, but we cannot afford to lose sight of our long term environmental goals and need to continue to work towards improving the health of local water ways.” Council environment, waterways and foreshores spokesman Cr Paul Gleeson said while there had been an overall water quality improvement there was still room for improvement. “Overall water quality has improved for Tarradarrapin, Cleveland, Thornlands, Eprapah, and Moogurrapum catchments and Russell Island, while the rating is steady for Weinam, Serpentine, Upper Tingalpa and Coolnwynpin Creeks as well as Lamb, Macleay and Karragarra Islands,” he said. “But we have seen a decline in water quality in Hilliards Creek and Native Dog Creek, due to a buildup of nutrients.” “Nutrients are of concern, especially those from diffuse sources such as animal manure, and from sediments eroded by water flowing off our urban and rural areas during storms and flooding. “People need to be aware that their actions can result in nutrients entering local waterways and impact on water quality. Cr Williams said a whole of community effort was required to ensure the health of our waterways continued to improve. “Our environmental goal is to make sure all Redland creeks are in good health, that means halting and reversing any decline in the quality of our freshwater waterways,” she said. “While it is early days but we are already well on the way to achieving this target so overall we are very happy with the results. “The South East Queensland 2013 Ecosystem Health report card results are due to be released soon for freshwaters, estuaries and Moreton Bay. Both reporting systems are valuable tools to help us track our progress towards recovery of our waterways.” The interactive 2013 Redlands Waterway Recovery Report is now available on Council’s web page at: redland.qld.gov.au/EnvironmentWaste/Water/Waterways/WaterwayReport/Pages/default.aspx
Posted on: Wed, 16 Oct 2013 08:04:38 +0000