Recreational use and community appreciation of the Logan and Albert rivers is on the rise as the health of the two waterways continues to improve.
The freshwater reaches of the upper Albert River, in particular, were a standout performer in the latest Healthy Land and Water (HLW) report card.
Platypus were sighted in the river this year as water quality has improved.
That goes against a state-wide trend of declining health of freshwater streams because of the drought.
In the Logan River, underwater footage at Carbrook confirmed healthy stocks of fish and mud crabs. (View the footage here)
Testing of the flesh of fish found they were within health guidelines for eating.
The report card also showed pollutant levels were lower in both rivers. The turbidity of both waterways had improved.
The Albert River received a B minus rating, up from a C last year in HLW’s A-F grading.
The Logan River improved from a C minus in 2018 to a C this year.
The improved health of the two rivers contributed towards significant reduction of sediment in Moreton Bay.
Surveys held in conjunction with the report card found that 83 per cent of people rate our local waterways as important to their lifestyle.
They also gave the rivers high value for recreation and relaxation.
City of Logan residents echoed calls across South-East Queensland for waterways to be protected and improved.
Logan City Council has more than 20 different waterway projects under the 50-year River Vision plans for the Logan and Albert rivers.
These include:
- Logan and Albert Fish Habitat Assessment Projects
- Resilient Rivers Initiatives
- Logan and Albert River Riparian Planting and Weed Management Projects
- Scrubby Creek Recovery Plan
Waterbody Improvement Projects including Freshwater Lagoon and the Eagleby Wetlands Weed Management Works
Other ongoing programs include water quality monitoring and river litter management.
Council has also developed the Logan River Trail based on community feedback.
The combined length of the water-based trail is almost 70km.
Park-to-park legs range in length from 1.4km up to 32.4km making it suitable for both boaties and paddlers.
The trail has helped increase awareness of the river’s parkland facilities.
It also highlights local history, natural environment, nearby landmarks and sight-seeing opportunities.
Council has also contributed more than $460,000 to the Council of Mayors’ Resilient Rivers Initiative (RRI) in the last two years.
The RRI is a regional collaboration program that aims to reduce erosion and sediment run-off.
This funding has supported on-ground catchment improvement projects across South-East Queensland.
Projects include the Logan and Albert Catchment Action Plan.
More than 4500 trees were planted along the Logan River at Woodhill and Allenview.
Another 3000 trees will be planted on the riverbank at Allenview as part of stage two.
