Managing Our Waterways
Logan's waterways are not what they used to be. Development of the surrounding catchments for housing, industry and transport, and changes to the amount and quality of runoff from rainfall, has reduced the capacity of our waterways to support the wide variety of wildlife that previously existed here. The decline of the platypus is one example.
The deep, shaded in-stream pools with high banks for burrows, which are the preferred habitat of the platypus have, for the most part, been filled in by sediment transported to the waterways by stormwater from developed areas in the surrounding catchments.
In addition, reduced water quality and available food continue to make it difficult for our waterways to support these animals in any significant numbers.
The Communication Officer has received reports of sightings of platypus in both Scrubby and Slacks Creek in recent times. This is a good sign, and gives Council and the community something to aim for - the restoration of our waterways to a standard which allows the return of these much loved animals.
What is Council doing about the health of Logan waterways and catchments?
Recent work undertaken by Council to protect or improve our waterways for the ecological benefit to the community includes:
- Cooperating with other agencies to manage the spread of noxious fish species (Carp and Tilapia) and aquatic weeds.
- Supporting local initiatives to revegetate the banks of Logan's waterways.
- Developing and implementing a workable plan about the quality of stormwater runoff from Logan City catchments.
- Reviewing progress on implementing Council's Waterways Strategy, which aims to protect and improve the natural values and functions of the larger waterways in the City.
- Monitoring water quality in the larger waterways (this helps to identify any improvement or decline in quality resulting from human activities in the catchments).
- Working cooperatively with State and Local Government management agencies to holistically manage the catchments and waterways of the Logan-Albert River Catchment, Oxley Creek and Tingalpa Creek.
- Supporting community partnership and awareness activities in conjunction with the 'Healthy Waterways' campaign, Logan Albert Catchment Congress.
- Responding to water pollution incidents.
- Representing Logan City Council on regional forums for waterways management.
