Resilient Rivers Initiative announcement a watershed moment for Scenic Rim

Scenic Rim Regional Council has welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement of a $40 million investment during the next five years to improve the health and resilience of South East Queensland waterways and wetlands.

The release of the SEQ Waterways and Wetlands Investment Strategy by the Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors South East Queensland provides the blueprint for the expansion of the Resilient Rivers Initiative to deliver a range of projects including riparian revegetation, weed management and improving fish passage.

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said the announcement of the strategy was a watershed moment for the Resilient Rivers Initiative, whose success has been supported by the SEQ City Deal to improve the health of waterways and wetlands in partnership with landholders, First Nations people, non-government organisations, public utilities and the private sector.

“The Scenic Rim has continued to benefit from the Resilient Rivers Initiative since its establishment in December 2014,” he said.

“This announcement is the next important step to bring more security to keeping our rich farmland where it should be, in our high-performing productive valleys and not in our waterways and wetlands,” he said.

“Our region has a critical role to play in the success of this initiative.

“As the Scenic Rim is home to the headwaters of major rivers of South East Queensland such as the Logan, Albert, Bremer, Warrill, and Coomera, I look forward to our region participating in these further investments and accelerating the great work already achieved.”

In addition to its environmental outcomes, the strategy aims to create local jobs in rural communities, and strengthen the engagement of First Nations people in managing South East Queensland’s catchments.

Mayor Christensen was among South East Queensland Mayors who attended the strategy launch by Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Minister for Multicultural Affairs Leanne Linard at Brisbane City Hall on Friday 1 December.

“Today’s announcement is an exciting development for our region,” he said.

“This program, along with the funds committed through the joint City Deal funding, demonstrates a real and tangible partnership to work with our landholders to strengthen our environment for future generations.”