Logan City's Waterways

Logan City takes in three major waterways, with the Logan River flowing through the middle, the Albert River on our South-East border and Oxley Creek on our North-West border. These include a mix of urban, rural and natural catchments.

This expanse of waterways throughout Logan City is an important component of our natural environment and contributes to the character of Logan City. Our catchments are made up of a broad variety of stream types, including ephemeral streams, lasting a few days, to large river systems with continuously flowing headwaters, meandering and well formed mid sections, permanent and temporary freshwater wetlands, estuarine wetlands and estuaries.

In addition to their environmental value as habitat and movement corridors for a wide variety of native plant and animal species (ranging from algae through to rainforest trees, from microscopic organisms and invertebrates to fish, birds and mammals), Logan's waterways link directly with the Brisbane, Logan and Albert River estuary and into southern Moreton Bay.

This linkage with downstream waters including Moreton Bay means that chemicals, pollutants and other contaminants that enter drains and waterways influence the capacity of the Brisbane, Logan and Albert River estuary to support wildlife, recreational opportunities and sustainable fisheries. This includes recreational and commercially valuable fish species and important marine animals for example turtles and dugongs.

Unfortunately, many of Logan's waterways are not what they used to be. Development of the surrounding catchments for agriculture, 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. However through a number of initiatives Logan City Council are committed to the protection and enhancement of Logan's waterways and wetlands.

To gain a better understanding of Logan's river and creek catchments visit the Logan City's Waterways & Catchments interactive map. For the best performance when using this map it is recommended that you use Internet Explorer 8 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 2 or higher or Google Chrome. If this map does not work or for a copy of this map please download the Logan City Council Creek map (PDF 5535 KB) and Logan City Council Rivers map (PDF 3069 KB).

Logan River

The Logan River Catchment covers an area of 3076 km2. The headwaters of the Logan begin in Mt. Barney National Park in Scenic Rim Regional Council; the river then flows for 185 km through the centre of Logan City Council before emptying into Southern Moreton Bay where it forms the border of Gold Coast City Council and Redlands City Council. The main tributaries of the Logan River are the Teviot Brook, Burnett, Running and Christmas Creeks.

A map of the whole of the Logan catchment and waterway quality information is available at Healthy-E-Waterways Logan Catchment. To see the Logan River creek catchments within Logan City Council please download the Logan River creek catchments map (PDF 5372 KB).     

Indigenous History

Aboriginal pathways and sites exist throughout the catchment. There were originally three core indigenous language groups based in the catchment – the Yugambeh, Turrbal and Jaggera people. A number of permanent camps were established and the family groups moved from camp to camp throughout the year as the seasons changed and as new food sources became available. The Birnum Range was commonly used by tribes in northern NSW to traverse through the catchment for annual meetings with their relatives on Stradbroke Island.

Land Use

Land in the upper reaches of the catchment has been largely cleared for grazing, dairying, thoroughbred horse spelling and some irrigated agriculture. In the mid reaches, chicken farms, turf farms and beef cattle prevail, while in the lower estuarine reaches, there is a mixture of residential, rural residential, sugarcane, and prawn farming activities.

Landforms and Waterways

The Logan River originates in the World Heritage Rainforest of the Border Ranges (the McPherson Ranges). Palen Creek, Running Creek and Christmas Creek run off the steep cliff faces of the Scenic Rim in the upper catchment and flow into weathered volcanic mountain ranges and form narrow river valleys, which pan out into extensive mid catchment floodplains just before joining the Logan River, at Logan City Councils southern Border.

The Teviot Brook tributary rises on the third highest mountain in Queensland, Mt Superbus with an elevation of 1375 m. It then flows north before joining the Logan River at Cedar Pocket.

Cannon, Knapps and Allen Creeks originate in the rocky cliff faces of the Teviot/Dugandan Range and meander through mid catchment floodplains before entering the Logan River upstream of Beaudesert Township. These catchments carry large amounts of weathered sand from the Marburg Sandstones and Sodic soils in the hilly country.

Eventually the Logan River carves deep, steep, wide valley walls into the riverbank and bed before panning out into alluvial floodplains. The Estuarine section of the river begins just downstream of Maclean Bridge and flows past Logan City, before being joined by the Albert River just downstream of Eagleby. Mangrove forests in the estuary are still largely intact along the river banks and river mouth. The estuarine reaches of the river are the most urbanised section of the catchment. The Logan River enters Moreton Bay at a point just south of Lagoon Island and discharges into Southern Moreton bay.

Flora and Fauna

Originally the catchment would have been a combination of rainforest ecology at its headwaters leading down into significant open woodland forests and out into extensive flooded gum floodplains. Over time these areas have been heavily cleared until now the catchment consists of isolated patches of important areas of remnant bushland, with particular value placed on vine forest remnants.

The headwaters of the catchment are nested in the nationally recognised biodiversity hotspot area of the Border Ranges. This area is considered the second most diverse area in Queensland and contains many rainforest areas, while the isolated peaks are rich in dry rainforest, dry vine scrubs and areas of montane heath. The lower tidal sections of the Logan basin support substantial mangrove communities, which have conservation significance for their habitat values and ability to stabilise banks.

Wet, Dry and Alluvial Eucalypt Forests are found throughout the catchment. Melaleuca forests (fresh water wetlands) are located in isolated pockets within the catchment.

The catchment within Logan City is home to a number of endangered, vulnerable and near threatened flora species including: Swamp Tea-tree; Native Jute; Boonah Tuckeroo; Shiny-leaved Coondoo and the Angle-stemmed Myrtle of which there are only 285 in the world.

Parts of the lower catchment and adjacent catchments contain high densities of koalas. The area as a whole is recognised nationally and internationally as one of the most significant koala habitat areas as reflected in the Koala Coast State Planning Policy.

Some of the endangered, vulnerable and near threatened fauna identified in this region include the Powerful owl; Brush-tailed rock wallaby; Grey-headed flying fox; Spotted-tailed quoll; Grey gosshawk; Glossy black-cockatoo; and the Tusked frog.

Further Information

Albert River

The Albert River catchment covers 786 km2 and is a major tributary of the Logan River. The Albert River originates in the World Heritage Rainforest of Lamington National Park in the Border Ranges (the McPherson Ranges) in Scenic Rim Regional Council. The waterway then flows approximately 134km to form the border of Logan City Council and Gold Coast City Council, before merging with the Logan River at Eagleby 11.2 km from the mouth of the Logan.

The main tributaries of the Albert River are the Left Branch and Right Branch Albert, Cainbable, Canungra and Bidaddaba Creeks.

A map of the whole of the Albert River catchment and waterway quality information is available at Healthy-E-Waterways Albert Catchment. To see the Albert River creek catchments within Logan City Council please download the Albert River creek catchments map (PDF 3308 KB).    

Indigenous History

Aboriginal Pathways and sites exist throughout the catchment. The indigenous people of the Albert catchment spoke the Yugumbeh language. The major clan of this language group for the Albert River Catchment is Wangerriburras or Albert River people.

The Albert River Catchment contains many caves and ceremonial grounds, amongst them is a three-ring bora ring ceremonial grounds which was used by the local people to initiate young boys into men. There are no other known sites of bora rings, where three rings are used for the ceremony.

Land Use

The Albert River has its headwaters in Lamington National Park. For most of its length the Albert sustains rural land use. The three hard rock extractive industries that operate near the Albert River are located in the upper and mid catchment.

Agriculture is the primary land use activity within the catchment consisting of beef, pork, dairy and a variety of field crops. The lower catchment area supports several cane farms and aquaculture ventures (prawns, eels and barramundi farms), which supply their products locally and overseas. In fact the Logan/Albert Catchment has the highest density of aquaculture farms of any catchment in Australia.

Landforms and Waterways

The headwaters of the catchment rise in the Lamington Plateau; this forms part of the Scenic Rim. Shortly thereafter the upper catchments narrow and steep ridges form a rugged landscape with waterfalls and deep gorges.

The tributaries in the upper catchment include Cedar and Sandy Creek. They originate in the protected, heavily forested mountains and they contribute relatively pristine, clear waters to the Alberts estuarine flow. The mid stream flows mainly through rural areas including cropping, cattle grazing and turf farming before entering the Logan River at Eagleby.

The Low-lying floodplains of the Albert River, Canungra Creek and other associated creeks are home to a number of permanent and ephemeral waterholes and wetlands. During floods, basalt sediments are carried down onto the floodplains from the surrounding mountains. These sediments enrich the soils of the riparian zones, providing nutrients for remnant gallery and dry rainforests.

Flora and Fauna

The "Scenic Rim" where the catchment begins, is considered the second most diverse area in Queensland, and contains many rainforest areas, while the isolated peaks are rich in dry rainforest, dry vine scrubs and areas of montane heath. Wet, Dry and Alluvial Eucalypt Forests are found throughout the catchment. Melaleuca forests (fresh water wetlands) are located in isolated pockets within the catchment.

The catchment within Logan City is home to a number of endangered, vulnerable and near threatened flora species including: Swamp Tea Tree; Native Jute; Plunkett Mallee; Macadamia Nut; and the Bahrs Scrub Croton.

Some of the endangered, vulnerable and near threatened fauna identified in this region include the Richmond birdwing butterfly; Powerful owl; Glossy black-cockatoo; Black-necked stork; Grey goshawk; the Grey-headed flying fox; and the Koala.

Further Information

Brisbane River - Oxley Creek

The Oxley Creek Catchment covers an area of 260 km2 and is one of the major tributaries of the Brisbane River. Oxley Creek’s headwaters begin in Logan City on the northern slope of Mount Perry and flow about 70 km northwards through Brisbane before discharging into the Brisbane River at Tennyson. Blunder Creek, a major tributary of Oxley Creek, starts in the relatively untouched bushland in the Greenbank Military Training Area.

A map of the whole of the Oxley Creek and Brisbane River catchment and waterway quality information is available at Healthy-E-Waterways Oxley Catchment. To see the Brisbane River creek catchments within Logan City Council please download the Brisbane River creek catchments map (PDF 2778 KB).    

Indigenous History

Oxley Creek was known as “Benarrawa” by the Yerongpan tribe who are thought to have once roamed throughout the catchment. Traditional owners in the catchment made use of the abundant natural resources, various plants and animals were used as staple foods and the roots of the bungwall fern a particular favourite.

The local geology played a key role in providing tools for traditional owners, for example sandstones were used for grinding tools and ochre, jasper and chalcedony were used to make stone cutting tools. Reports from early settlers indicate there were probably hundreds of campsites and corroborees in the catchment.

Land Use

Land use includes rural, rural residential, residential, industrial, sand extraction, waste facilities, and special uses such as Archerfield Airport and rail freight terminals. In the upper reaches, land use is primarily cattle grazing, horticulture, bushland and rural residential estates. The sand of both Oxley and Blunder Creeks has been mined extensively, particularly in the lower and middle reaches. The Catchment is the biggest source of prime building sand for Brisbane’s construction industry.

Landforms and Waterways

The creek originates in a valley floor between Mt Blaine and Flinders Peak in Logan City, stretching through hilly, steep, sloped highly erosive country, until it reaches the mid catchment’s rolling hills and floodplains of the Greenbank area. At this point in the catchment there is considerable low-lying land. During the wet season, local flooding often occurs in the upper and mid catchment without warning. Many local roads and bridges are quickly made inaccessible soon after rain begins.

Oxley Creek has a number of tributaries such as Blunder Creek, Stable Swamp Creek, Rocky Waterholes Creek, Moollabin Creek, Sheep Station Gully, and Crewes Creek. All of these catchments have been highly altered from their natural state by residential and industrial development. Locally significant wetlands are still in existence and are scattered throughout the catchment.

Flora and Fauna

Vegetation in the middle to lower reaches has been greatly disturbed, with limited natural vegetation remaining. Eucalypt forest remains the main vegetation type of the middle and upper catchment, particularly in poor soil and fire prone areas. Remnants of once thriving rainforest can be found in sheltered, moist gullies.

This catchment contains the Flinders to Greenbank/Karrawatha corridor, a regionally recognised vegetation corridor between the mountains and the coast. Despite development in the rest of the catchment, parts of the catchment such as the Greenbank Military Training Area, Toohey Forest, and Parkinson Bushland are still relatively pristine.

The Greenbank Military Training Area in the mid to upper catchment area preserves about 5000 ha of dry open eucalypt forest dominated by blue gums, spotted gums and ironbarks, with an acacia understorey. The eucalypts, in particular the tallowood, make the area a core conservation area for koalas in South East Queensland.

The catchment within Logan City is home to a number of endangered, vulnerable and near threatened flora species including: Angle-stemmed Myrtle; Plectranthus habrophyllus; and the Slender Milkvine.

Some of the endangered, vulnerable and near threatened fauna identified in this region include the Wallum froglet; koala; Spotted-tailed quoll; Glossy-black cockatoo; Cotton pygmy-goose; Swift parrot and the Green-thighed frog.

Further Information

Redlands Creek Catchments - Tingalpa Creek

Redlands has a number of creek catchments that flow towards Moreton Bay. Of these Tingalpa Creek Catchment has its headwaters within Logan City Council. Tingalpa Creek Catchment covers a total area of approximately 117 km2. Tingalpa Creek flows from Priestdale in Logan City Council through Brisbane City Council and Redland City Council into Waterloo Bay.

A map of the whole of the Redlands creek catchment and waterway quality information is available at Healthy-E-Waterways Redlands Catchment. To see the Redlands creek catchments within Logan City Council please download the Redlands creek catchments map (PDF 1294 KB).       

Indigenous History

For thousands of years, local Indigenous people lived in the coastal region from Brisbane to the Tweed River and inland to the Brisbane Valley. The Indigenous people harvested Moreton Bay’s plentiful supplies of turtles, dugong, fish and crabs, and land animals such as wallabies. Good supplies meant they did not have to spend the whole day hunting for food.

Many tribes mingled on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and local people identify the Noonucal and Gorenpul as the traditional owners of the Island and adjoining areas. The Koobenpul lived on the mainland coastal strip.
 
The three tribes were members of the Yuggera language group that stretched from Moreton Bay to the Bremer River and Lockyer Creek. The Noonucal were in the Pulan (Amity Pt) area, the Gorenpul were in the Moongalba (Dunwich) area and the Koobenpul lived on the mainland coastal strip stretching from Talwarrapin (Redland Bay) to the mouth of the Mairwar (Brisbane River).
 
Over the centuries, many tracks and travel routes were formed on the islands and the mainland. When the European settlers arrived, these tracks proved invaluable to their own travels. Over the years they have evolved into some of our main roads.

Land Use

The catchment contains a diversity of land uses, with large areas of bushland in the upper catchment, residential areas in the middle and lower catchment, and a major commercial and industrial centre at Capalaba. The Leslie Harrison Dam, located in the middle of the catchment, is a major source of domestic water for Redland City Council.

This catchment contains a number of regional significant reserves as part of the south east Queensland's Koala Coast network. The reserves include the Brisbane Koala Bushland, Neville Lawrie Reserve, Daisy Hill Conservation Park and Venman Bushland National Park. 

Landforms and Waterways

Tingalpa Creek is fed by four major tributaries and flows into Moreton Bay. Priest Gully, Buhot Creek and Stockyard Creek feed into the Leslie Harrison Dam, while Coolnwynpin Creek flows into the estuarine reach of Tingalpa Creek below the dam wall. Tingalpa Creek ranges from wide mangrove-lined tidal reaches at its mouth, to small meandering ephemeral streams in its middle and upper reaches.

Flora and Fauna

The diversity of flora and fauna in the Tingalpa Creek catchment is enhanced by the influence of the Leslie Harrison Dam and the many bushland areas associated with the Koala Coast Network. The close association between forested areas, the large water body and creek linkages ensure a wide diversity of habitats and extremely high biodiversity.

The Koala Coast bushland reserves protects between 3000 and 5000 koalas, as well as many other native animals. This includes Swamp wallabies, Greater gliders, Echidna and Powerful owls.

The vegetation communities have considerable regional significance as remnants of the original lowland vegetation found in South East Queensland. Open forest, woodland, riparian forest, and heathland are found throughout this area. Native grasses, herbs, wildflowers, melaleucas, brush box, wattles and scribbly gums are also present.

In the mid to lower catchments large tracks of Mangroves and salt marsh communities can be found along the length of the estuary up to the dam wall. This provides essential habitat for numerous fish of commercial importance.

Further Information