Catchments in the Moreton Bay region cover a wonderful and diverse array of natural habitats.
From the catchment source in up-slope areas, down to the coast and estuary, our natural environment needs protection and care to ensure a sustainable future.
Issues that affect our Catchments
- The quality of stormwater
Urban development increases the amount of sealed surfaces (such as roads and concrete) that can contribute to rainfall runoff in storms. This, in turn, can aggravate localised flooding and the amount of pollution that enters waterways. Rural areas also contribute sediment and nutrients, particularly where surface cover management (such as preserved crop stubble or grass cover) is poor.
- Nutrients and sediment
Nutrients enter waterways from eroded soil, poorly maintained or failed septic systems, detergents and excessive garden or agricultural fertilisers. Increased nutrient levels are a major contributor to algal blooms such as Lyngbya.
- Vegetation clearing, habitat fragmentation and riparian zone degradation
Vegetation clearing and disturbance within catchments encourages weeds and pests to invade land and aquatic environments. Development pressure has also led to the clearing of many riparian zones. Riparian zones are often the last buffer between land uses and a waterway or creek. Effective riparian zones trap sediment, recycle nutrients and provide important habitats for flora and fauna.
- On-site wastewater management
Optimal design and maintenance of on-site wastewater systems is critical to minimise impacts from nutrients, pathogens and nuisance odours.
- Disturbance of Acid Sulfate Soils
Acid Sulfate Soils contain high amounts of potential and actual acidic material. Acid Sulfate Soils occur naturally, normally below five metres Australian Height Datum (or mean sea level) in coastal areas and only become problematic when disturbed and exposed to the air. Disturbance occurs when soils are drained, excavated or compressed by above-ground filling. When disturbed and exposed to the air, acid and heavy metals can be mobilised to the surrounding environment.
What you can do to help catchments
- Join your local Bushcare group
- Dispose of rubbish correctly
- Use water wisely
- Look for phosphorous free cleaning products
- Clean up after your pet
- Reduce usage of artificial fertilisers
- Drive with care and only where permitted when you are off road
What Council is doing
- Total Water Cycle Management Plan - The management plan is the first stage of a coordinated response to managing water quality objectives for our rivers, creeks, beaches and Moreton Bay.
- Management Plans for a range of catchments and waterways throughout the Moreton Bay region have been prepared
- Council has a comprehensive waterways monitoring program, covering freshwater and estuarine streams and beaches across the Moreton Bay region.
- Council is a member and supports the initiatives of Healthy Waterways