In the lead-up to the State Budget on June 13 we focus on key Qld policy issues and programs the LGAQ are campaigning for on behalf of its member councils. This week, the spotlight is on the Resilient Rivers Initiative.
The LGAQ is calling on the State Budget to provide $5 million for the Resilient Rivers Initiative to ensure the protection and management of South East Queensland rivers.
Facilitated by the Council of Mayors (SEQ), the Resilient Rivers Initiative was a response to the 2013 floods when silt and eroded soil from the upper reaches of the Brisbane River blocked the Mt Crosby Water Treatment Plant and jeopardised the region’s water supply.
The purpose of the Resilient Rivers Initiative is to coordinate the expertise of South East Queensland councils, State Government and the relevant water entities into one long term management plan for the region’s waterways.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair Cr Graham Quirk said that prior to the Resilient Rivers Initiative, great work was being done by various government and water bodies but there was no coordination of effort.
“This initiative will continue to bring these parties together until there is a coordinated plan to protect all of the catchments in South East Queensland,” Cr Quirk said.
LGAQ senior advisor Kristy Gooding said the initiative had been critical in developing strong partnerships and leadership in protecting the region’s waterways.
“There is no one single solution to water management. The Initiative has meant there is now a multi-pronged approach across state and local government agencies, water utilities, regional partners and the community,” Ms Gooding said.
LGAQ President and Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, supported the Council of Mayors’ (SEQ) position in relation to the Resilient Rivers Initiative.
“The LGAQ acknowledges a coordinated approach to catchment management is needed to ensure the future economic, social and environmental health of South East Queensland,” Mayor Jamieson said.
The Resilient Rivers Initiative was founded on the recognition that a coordinated approach to catchment management is vital to ensure the future economic, social and environmental health of the region.
The aim of the Initiative is to improve South East Queensland’s catchments by keeping soil on the land and out of waterways, protecting the region’s water security and improving climate resilience.
The Resilient Rivers Initiative is a collaborative arrangement between key investors in the catchments of SEQ, Council of Mayors (SEQ), Queensland Government, Seqwater, Healthy Land and Water, Unitywater and Queensland Urban Utilities.