Turning the brown snake blue – Brisbane River Erosion Source Master Plan
The plan to turn the brown snake blue, erosion protection in upriver creeks and waterways.
Sediment in the Brisbane River causes serious browning after rain events, washing eroded soils from upper catchments out to Moreton Bay.
This study aims to define the areas within the Lockyer and Bremer catchments where riverbank restoration would make the most impact.
From this plan, systematic revegetation and restoration can halve fine sediment export to the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay from these two catchments.
This is to be achieved using the best available empirical evidence and geomorphic expertise to identify and prioritise these sites and expected investment requirements for the restoration works.
The program focuses on:
- Provide estimates for ongoing fine sediment generation from the defined restoration reaches, both with and without restoration.
- Categorise defined restoration reaches by high-level restoration technique (assisted revegetation, direct revegetation, revegetation supported by engineered solutions).
- For each defined restoration reach, summarise riparian vegetation and bank condition and any potential co-benefits for restoration.
What we did
Healthy Land & Water has been delivering Core Services for the SEQ Management Unit under the RLP Program.
- The overall objective of this study is to define the reaches within the Lockyer and Bremer catchments where riparian restoration would achieve a minimum 50% reduction in fine (<63μm) sediment export to the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.
- Provide estimates for ongoing fine sediment generation from the defined restoration reaches, both with and without restoration.
- Categorise defined restoration reaches by high-level restoration technique (assisted revegetation, direct revegetation, revegetation supported by engineered solutions).
For each defined restoration reach, summarise riparian vegetation and bank condition and any potential co-benefits for restoration.
Measuring success
Review of past studies in the area and drone/satellite imaging.
- Literature Review Including a description of sediment source drivers.
- Workshop with the Department of Environmental Science and Urban Utilities to propose sites for further investigation.
Mapping topography and modelling for overall impact and benefits.
- Defined and mapped reaches for riparian restoration in the Lockyer and Bremer Catchment to achieve a 50% reduction in fine sediment production based on geomorphic interpretation.
- Modelling estimates for ongoing and remediated fine sediment generation for Lockyer Catchment.
Desktop assessment for sites in which restoration would make the most impact and field verification.
- Reporting on methodology, justifications, and data gaps.
Why this project is important
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Understanding where the sediment that makes the Brisbane River brown is important to plan restoration works and divert investment into the catchments that need the attention the most. Past broad studies into the sediment composition of the mud flats of Moreton Bay found that a significant amount of fine sediment originated from the Western Catchments. This plan identifies all the priority sites that require river and creek bank restoration and erosion control in the Lockyer and Bremer catchments. Having such a plan in place allows for a systematic approach to reducing the fine sediment output of these catchments and streamlines on-ground works when new grants are available. |
Project snapshot
| Project name: | Brisbane River Erosion Source Master Plan |
| Project manager: | Dennis Gannaway, Healthy Land & Water |
| Catchment: | South East Queensland |
| Timing: | July 2022 – February 2023 (Completed) |
| Budget: | $17,350 |
| Partnerships: |
This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from Watertech and Urban Utilities. Other key project collaborators include the Department of Environmental Science and Water Technology. |
| Related Articles: |
What's next
There is huge potential to build on the successful work.
Project collaborators
This project to study and map areas in the Lockyer and Bremer catchments is a small part of Urban Utilities' dedication to preserving the water quality of the Brisbane River.
