Estuarine Marine and Freshwater Health Monitoring Project
Monitoring the health of our freshwater and marine estuarine waterways.
Natural resource management planning and prioritisation of management actions.
The Estuarine Marine and Freshwater Health Monitoring Project is part of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP), one of the most comprehensive freshwater, estuarine, and marine monitoring programs in Australia. Our efforts are focused on the ecological health of South East Queensland’s waterways.
This project is aimed at continuous ecosystem monitoring and modelling of the estuarine marine and freshwater waterways in SEQ to help assess the potential impacts of controlled or uncontrolled releases of wastewater and associated contaminants to the environment from sewage treatment plants.
The data collected through it will contribute to the annual delivery and promotion of the SEQ Report Card (health check) for waterways, catchments, and Moreton Bay.
The program focuses on:
- Estuarine marine and freshwater ecosystems monitoring and modelling.
- Extent and condition assessment of key habitats.
- Help assess the potential impacts of controlled or uncontrolled releases of wastewater from sewage treatment plants.
- Contribute to the delivery and promotion of the SEQ Report Card (health check) for waterways, catchments, and Moreton Bay.
What we are doing
Analysing, interpreting, and developing recommendations for protecting and improving freshwater and estuarine marine waterways' health.
With the skills and technology invested into collecting this data, this project is:
- Providing data and information about the health of freshwater and estuarine marine waterways in South East Queensland.
- Helping assess the potential impacts of controlled or uncontrolled releases of wastewater and associated contaminants to the environment from sewage treatment plants.
- Analysing, interpreting, and developing recommendations for protecting and improving ecosystem health.
- Influencing policy and informing actions through programs and acknowledging stakeholders that work to improve the health of freshwater and estuarine marine waterways and ultimately community quality of life.
- Contributing to the department’s strategic plan objectives to “Conserve Queensland’s protected areas and biodiversity”; and “Protect the health of the environment and our communities”.
- Reporting on progress towards the Water Quality Objectives and Environmental Values, listed under the Queensland Government Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Measuring success
This project is delivering:
- Freshwater and estuarine marine ecosystems monitoring and modelling.
- Extent and condition assessment of key habitats.
- Collect data that will contribute to the delivery and promotion of the SEQ Report Card (health check) for waterways, catchments, and Moreton Bay.
Why this project is important
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Multiple pressure factors can change the health of SEQ waterways. Sewage treatment plant releases could pose a threat to their health and consequently to the communities. This is why constantly monitoring the potential impacts of controlled or uncontrolled releases of wastewater and associated contaminants from sewage treatment plants is vital. This project is part of the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) which monitors the ecological health of South East Queensland’s waterways. The data collected through this initiative will contribute to the annual delivery and promotion of the SEQ Report Card (health check) for waterways, catchments, and Moreton Bay. |
Project snapshot
What's next
There is huge potential to build on the successful work.
Project collaborators
The Freshwater and Estuarine Marine Health Monitoring Project is only possible due to the close collaboration of all of our partners in the initiative. The impressive list includes
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This project is monitoring the safety of our waterways.