The Noosa River catchment has retained its A– quality rating in the annual Healthy Land and Water Report Card – a result welcomed by Council today.
The catchment also scored a 4.5-star waterway benefit rating, which reflects the high number of residents satisfied with their waterways, and the level of personal benefit they gain from them.
Many residents enjoy spending time in and around Noosa River.
“Noosa River scored a 78% rating, compared to the 61% for all of SEQ,” Mayor Clare Stewart said.
“It’s great to see our river and the connected creeks and estuaries are so dear to so many of our residents, and that the catchment remains very healthy.”
CEO of Healthy Land and Water, Julie McLellan, said the health of Noosa’s freshwater creeks and estuaries were maintained, with the catchment currently in excellent condition.
“It’s good to see Noosa Council is continuing to invest in protecting and enhancing this much-loved community and environmental asset for future generations to enjoy,” she said.
“Based on results from our community survey, extremely high numbers of residents (83%) are satisfied with the access and usability of their local waterways.
“With 78% of residents recreating in or alongside their local waterway at least weekly, it is clear that Noosa residents love and value their waterways,” she said.
The Healthy Land and Water Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program is regarded as one of the most comprehensive waterway monitoring programs in Australia.
Healthy Land and Water is an independent organisation dedicated to improving and protecting South East Queensland’s environment.
Council’s Environmental Services Manager Craig Doolan said Council was pleased to support the Keep It In Kin Kin project in which Noosa and District Landcare and rural landholders work together to prevent erosion and sediment runoff to Lake Cootharaba.
“Council is also pleased to support Noosa Integrated Catchment Association’s river clean-ups, shorebird surveys and water quality monitoring in the lower Noosa River, which help to reduce the impacts of litter and plastics on wildlife, and value-add to collection of baseline data about river health,” Mr Doolan said.
