Environment Matters Autumn/Winter 2024

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A system in recovery There has been more than 100 years of rapid change across the Bremer catchment. Clearing for agriculture and urbanisation, industrial uses of the river and tributaries, introduction of pest plants and animals, major flood events, erosion and pollution and more have all taken a toll. Across the catchment many of these issues are being tackled through works to protect and restore our valuable river system. These are just some examples of the work being done in 2024.

Nature-based Solutions to Flooding: The Bremer catchment is part of an Australian-first project to create a framework for nature-based solutions to increase resilience to flood, led by Australian National University in partnership with Ipswich City Council. Resilient Rivers Initiative: South East Queensland councils banded together for coordinated catchment management and on-ground actions. Works in the upper Bremer catchment in Ipswich and Scenic Rim have a flow-on effect to the health of the river system in Ipswich and beyond.

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Habitat Connections restoration

Sites such as Shapcott Park in Coalfalls on the Bremer River are being restored with stabilisation works and planting, including community planting days, with a focus on providing habitat for critical species such as the endangered lungfish.

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River clean up The CBD reach of the Bremer River is a hotspot for littering, especially shopping trolleys. Council and the community regularly work together on clean-up activities.

Ironpot Creek One of Ipswich’s most damaged creeks with severe erosion, scouring and

Bioretention basins Establishing water treatment wetlands and other green assets such as the Atlantic Drive bioretention basin at Brassall have an important role in filtering pollutants from stormwater runoff.

sediment generation. A major multi-stage project is restoring

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sections of the creek with plantings making a significant difference during storm events.

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Franklin Vale Creek Initiative

Cod restocking Juvenile Mary River Cod are being released into Bremer catchment waters to return this important native predator to the ecosystem. A recent release was at Rosewood in late 2023, with more releases and monitoring planned for 2024.

Water Smart Street Trees This innovative approach adapts urban kerb and channel to create self- watering street trees, such as at Short and Alice Street, Blackstone. There are benefits in filtering pollution and nutrients from stormwater runoff as well as increasing urban greening.

Partnerships between council and private landowners are restoring and improving the catchment and waterway condition through actions such as revegetation, offline watering points and stock exclusion fencing.

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