Ipswich City Council

Media Release

Bremer River changes its freshwater for the better

21 October 2009

Last Summer's heavy rains have assisted in improving the score for the freshwater reaches of the Bremer River in the Healthy Waterways scorecard announced today. The freshwater section extends from the headwaters at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range to the rocky outcrops upstream of Hancock Bridge, Brassall.

Mayor Paul Pisasale said it was tremendous to see a positive change in report card grades for the freshwater reaches of the Bremer River from a D- last year to a D+ in 2009.

"This is a 2 point improvement in water quality based on increases in aquatic life."

However Cr Pisasale said the tidal reaches of the river had maintained an F rating, mostly because of erosion in the upper catchment and the sediment coming from extensive areas of bare earth in both the urban and rural areas of the city.

"The rains in February were a blessing as a drought-breaker for our rural areas but sediment carried into the lower reaches of the Bremer were a cause for concern and the next big challenge for improving waterway health.

"Council is working with local builders and developers to ensure that any poorly managed construction and earthworks sites do not contribute to the problem. Council would like to congratulate residents and businesses for the recent improvement in erosion and sediment control on building sites."

Environment and Conservation Committee Chairperson, Councillor Cheryl Bromage said the past 12 months had been the city's wettest in ten years.

"The increased rainfall provided a fresh flow through all of our freshwater catchments and also improved conditions for vegetation growth and opportunities for revegetation along waterways.

"A consequence of the increased rainfall on waterway health was increased run off and loss of soil which made its way into the lower reaches of the Bremer River and on to Moreton Bay."

Cr Bromage said report card results had previously guided the management and improvement of wastewater treatment plants in the South East of the State.

"The significant investment of local and state government in wastewater treatment plant upgrades has resulted in very impressive reductions in nitrogen load levels in Moreton Bay.

"Over the past 5 years, Ipswich City Council has invested in the upgrade of Bundamba, Goodna and Rosewood wastewater treatment facilities and the decommissioning of the Tivoli treatment plant.

"We are continuing to build on this great investment to further improve waterway health through improved stormwater management in new urban developments and the protection and enhancement of waterway corridors.

"Council is committed to the management of Ipswich waterways and recently adopted its first Waterway Health Strategy."

-ENDS-

Search the media release archive

Last Updated 21 Oct 2009 |

Print this page |