Condition of aquatic ecosystem health

Key Finding

Queensland’s aquatic ecosystems vary significantly in condition. Some are in pristine condition while others do not meet standards for water quality.

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Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
Reef Water Quality report card
Fitzroy Basin report card
Gladstone Harbour report card
Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
Wet Tropics Waterways report card
Townsville Dry Tropics report card
QCatchment Archer
QCatchment Bulloo
QCatchment Burdekin
QCatchment Coleman
QCatchment Ducie
QCatchment Endeavour
QCatchment Holroyd
QCatchment Jacky Jacky
QCatchment Jardine
QCatchment Jeannie
QCatchment Lake Eyre
QCatchment Lockhart
QCatchment Nebine
QCatchment Normanby
QCatchment Olive–Pascoe
QCatchment Paroo
QCatchment Queensland Eastern Murray Darling
QCatchment Stewart
QCatchment Warrego
QCatchment Wenlock

Water Quality report card area (select locations to filter information)
(Townsville Dry Tropics boundary is indicative only)

Queensland

Waterways in Queensland are in widely varying condition. Some rivers have high ecological function while others have been heavily impacted by historic land uses, development and poor land management practices.

Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card

The Healthy Land and Water report card reports on indicators of freshwater health across 18 major catchment areas in South East Queensland.

Queensland Government scientists collect data on fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, ecosystem processes, and water quality indicators. Together, these indicators help assess the overall condition of a waterway.

The 2019 report card used the methodology from 2015 to calculate environmental grades for each catchment as well as the impact from sediment entering waterways, the extent of habitats such as riparian vegetation and the social and economic benefits of waterways. It also highlighted management actions needed to improve waterway health.

Report card grades vary significantly across the catchments. Some are in ‘excellent’ condition while others are in ‘poor’ condition having been heavily affected by rural and urban land use.

The 2019 report card shows main causes of poor waterway health are:

sediment run-off from urban and rural areas
long-term loss of riparian or riverbank vegetation
nutrients from agricultural run-off and sewage treatment effluent.

More information:

Reef Water Quality report card

The Great Barrier Reef extends 2,300km from the tip of Cape York to the Burnett Mary region. Its catchment area is more than 400,000km²— an area larger than Japan.

The Reef Water Quality Report Card 2017 and 2018 rated overall inshore marine condition as ‘poor’, with coral rated ‘moderate’ and seagrass and water quality in ‘poor’ condition.

The Cape York, Wet Tropics and Burdekin regions were in ‘moderate’ condition overall and the Mackay–Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Burnett–Mary regions were in ‘poor’ condition.

Marine condition takes a long time to respond to changes in land management and is strongly influenced by severe weather, such as tropical cyclones and floods. Water quality improvements are expected in the long-term, provided land management practice reforms continue.

More information:

Fitzroy Basin report card

The Fitzroy Basin report card details the water quality condition of the freshwater ecosystems within the Fitzroy Basin, covering 11 freshwater sub-catchments and the estuarine reach of the Fitzroy River. A different suite of water quality parameters is monitored in freshwater and estuarine zones, with the major distinction being the restriction of metals monitoring to freshwater ecosystems and the restriction of dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a monitoring to the estuarine ecosystem. Note that this Partnership is unique in attributing chlorophyll-a to an ‘ecological’ category rather than to a ‘water quality’ category.

The latest report card, released in 2019, covers the 2017–18 reporting period.

Data for the estuary extends back to 1994. Results show that nutrients have generally stayed at ‘fair’ levels in this zone.

Chlorophyll-a results indicate that this has not stimulated significant algal blooms.
Suspended sediment levels in the estuary have only deteriorated from ‘good’ to ‘fair’ condition when floods have occurred.
Dissolved oxygen levels have consistently been in ‘good’ condition.

Data for freshwater ecosystems extend between 2010–11 and 2017–18. Toxicant condition was mainly ‘fair’ in the latest report card.

A few cases of ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ condition ratings were recorded.
These results were invariably linked to elevated levels of aluminium, copper or both.

Physical-chemical and nutrient aspects of water quality condition (including turbidity) were generally ‘good’ in freshwater ecosystems in the 2018 and 2019 report cards.

Lower than average rainfall over a prolonged period may have contributed to this outcome through reduced nutrient and sediment run-off.

Report card naming in the Queensland State of the Environment report refers to the year of report card release, which may differ from the year given in the report card title or the year data group shown on regional report card partnership websites. Only data for regional report cards released before June 30 2020 are included.

More information:

Gladstone Harbour report card

The Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership report card assesses water quality in 10 estuaries and 3 inshore marine zones within the harbour. Water quality is assessed based on a combination of physical-chemical, nutrient and toxicant parameters. The same 18 parameters are monitored in each zone.

The latest report card, released in 2019, covers the 2018–19 reporting period.

As this report card presents a combined water and sediment quality condition rating (and is the only one of the Reef regional report card partnerships to do so), results shown below have been taken from water quality ratings presented in associated technical reports.

Water quality in the broader Gladstone Harbour continues to be in mainly ‘good’ condition. For the latest reporting period:

The Outer Harbour zone had ‘very good’ water quality.
Boat Creek’s water quality had improved from ‘satisfactory’ to ‘good’.

Nutrient levels continue to be the main aspect of concern for water quality in the harbour.

Nutrients rated ‘satisfactory’ or ‘poor’ in most zones in 2019.

Turbidity levels were high in certain zones and at certain times during the 2017 to 2019 period.

Only Boat Creek has consistently received a ‘poor’ rating for turbidity.

Dissolved metal concentrations continue, on the whole, to be reflective of ‘very good’ water quality — a pattern that has been consistent over a five-year period.

All dissolved metal levels, including copper, were rated as ‘very good’ in 2019, which was an improvement from 2017, where the rating for copper in Boat Creek was ‘poor’, and from 2018, where copper was rated ‘poor’ in Calliope River and ‘satisfactory’ in several zones.

More information:

Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card

The Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef report card assesses water quality condition in 4 freshwater ecosystems (referred to as ‘basins’ in this report card), 8 estuaries, 4 inshore marine zones and an offshore marine zone.

The latest report card, released in 2019, covers the 2017–18 reporting period.

In the 2019 report card, most freshwater ecosystems in this region continue to be impacted by sediment, nutrient and pesticide run-off.

Water quality in the O’Connell Basin and Pioneer Basin was rated ‘moderate’.
Water quality in the Plane Basin was rated ‘poor’.
The Don Basin’s water quality was rated ‘good’.

Most estuaries in this region had ‘good’ water quality.

‘Moderate’ ratings for water quality in the O’Connell and Murray and St Helens estuaries were due to an increase in suspended sediment and to oxygen reaching super-saturated levels.
Super-saturated oxygen and elevated levels of chlorophyll-a contributed to ‘poor’ water quality in the Camila estuary.

Inshore marine zones, water quality ranged between ‘poor’ in the Inshore Marine Whitsunday and Inshore Marine Southern zones and ‘moderate’ in the Inshore Marine North and Inshore Marine Central zones.

This was largely due to water clarity-related issues.

Inshore Central was the only marine zone where pesticides were monitored.

Pesticides here rated ‘moderate’, equating to a 90–95% species protection level.

Water quality in the offshore marine zone remained unchanged (‘very good’).

Results indicate some recovery from the impacts of Cyclone Debbie on water quality in this region.

Water quality monitoring in the Don basin and the Inshore South zone only commenced in the 2016–17 and 2017–18 reporting periods, respectively. Water quality has not yet been assessed in the Proserpine Basin.

Pesticides were not assessed in estuarine ecosystems within this region as part of the 2019 report card. For this reason, results shown here cannot be compared to those in previous Queensland State of the Environment reports.

More information:

Wet Tropics Waterways report card

Water quality is assessed in freshwater, estuarine and marine waterways as part of the annual Wet Tropics Waterways report card. The range of water quality indicators differs between ecosystems, but measurement of sediment and nutrient-related indicators is common to each. Pesticides are monitored in all ecosystems except offshore marine. Assessment is based mainly on water quality guideline ranges for the waterway type being assessed. Pesticides assessment is based on the modelled proportion of species protected according to the levels of multiple pesticides recorded. Water quality is not assessed based on modelled load reductions as part of this report card.

The latest report card, released in 2019, covers the 2017–18 reporting period.

Most of the waterways in the Wet Tropics continue to have 'good' water quality.

The Daintree catchment and the Hinchinbrook estuary had ‘very good’ water quality.
The Palm Islands, South and Central inshore marine zones had ‘moderate’ water. High suspended sediment and dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels contributed to this rating.

Pesticides are of most concern in the Russell, Mulgrave and Tully rivers, where ‘moderate’ ratings (equating to between 90% and 95% of species protection) were recorded. Pesticides are not yet assessed in all estuaries and, for some estuarine and estuarine systems, pesticides were only monitored for the first time in 2017–18.

More information:

Townsville Dry Tropics report card

The Townsville Dry Tropics Partnership for Healthy Waters’ 2019 pilot report card assessed water quality in freshwater, estuarine and marine (inshore only) ecosystems. Assessments were based on a combination of physical-chemical and nutrient-related indicators, with subtly different indicator suites used in the different ecosystems.

A major flood occurred in this region in 2019, but its impacts on water quality are not covered by the 2019 pilot report card.

Water quality ratings were only generated for 5 of the 7 zones. Water quality was not rated for the Halifax Bay Coast/estuary and Offshore Marine zones.

Water quality was ‘moderate’ in both freshwater ecosystems assessed (Black Basin and Ross Basin).

Phosphorus levels were elevated in both basins
There was elevated turbidity in the Bohle River portion of the Ross basin, due to the prevalence of sodic (highly erodible) soils.

Water quality was ‘good’ in the only estuary for which this was assessed (Cleveland Bay Coast/Estuary), however elevated nutrients were a feature of many of the sub-catchments surveyed within this zone, including very high levels of phosphorus in the Stuart Creek and Alligator Creek estuaries.

Water quality in the inshore marine zone ranged between ‘moderate’ for Halifax Bay and ’good’ for Cleveland Bay.

Elevated particulate nitrogen and moderate levels of suspended sediment were found in Halifax Bay Inshore.
Parts of Cleveland Bay Inshore had highly elevated phosphorus levels and turbidity levels.
Inshore zone turbidity is influenced by wind and wave action and plumes from the Burdekin River during flood events, though the 2019 pilot report card do not reflect impacts of the 2019 flood event.

More information:

QCatchment Archer

Field-collected data from 4 sites was used to measure ecosystem response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats for Archer catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock)
introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod)
introduced aquatic fauna.

The 2017 QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Archer was ‘good’ condition.

Although condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, evidence of impacts from feral pigs and cattle at all sites suggests some expected change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora condition was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’, with light infestations of rubbervine and sicklepod at most assessment sites.

The threat of introduced riparian flora was ‘severe’: only 1 of the 4 sites was free of weeds.

Introduced aquatic fauna condition was ranked as ‘good’, with no pest fish species detected in this assessment, or in any previous surveys. Although neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were sighted at any sites, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Bulloo

Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.

Key threats identified for the Bulloo catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
deposited sediment
introduced riparian vegetation.

Indicators of ecosystem condition relevant to these threats were assessed where possible.

Overall the condition of riverine ecosystems in the Bulloo in 2012 was ranked as ‘slightly disturbed’.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as 'good’ condition with no exotic fish or crayfish found during monitoring.

Deposited sediment was ranked as 'good’ condition with no loss of waterhole persistence from sediment deposition (sediment settling to the bottom of waterholes) in the waterholes surveyed.

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as 'slightly disturbed' with some physical damage to waterhole banks observed from feral pigs and cattle.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Burdekin

An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways in the Burdekin catchment identified 5 high risk threats for the region.

The key threats identified for the Burdekin catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
introduced riparian fauna
introduced riparian flora
increased nutrients
deposited sediment.

The current condition of threats was not determined in this risk assessment but may be in future reports.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘high’ risk in the Burdekin catchment, relating specifically to pest fish such as tilapia species and eastern Gambusia.

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as ‘high’ risk in the Burdekin catchment, primarily feral pigs and cattle access to river banks and beds.

Introduced riparian flora was ranked as a ‘moderate’ risk in the Burdekin catchment, with a high presence of riparian weeds in intensively developed areas.

The level of nutrients entering riverine ecosystems of the Burdekin due to human activities was ranked as ‘high’ risk. Coastal agriculture is the primary diffuse source of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, while sewage treatment plant discharge is the greatest urban nutrient source.

Deposited sediment was ranked as ‘high’ risk across the Burdekin, primarily due to grazing-induced erosion.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Coleman

Field-collected data at 5 sites measured Coleman riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Coleman catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock)
introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod)
introduced aquatic flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Coleman catchment was ‘minor disturbance’.

Although the condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, all sites showed evidence of impacts from pigs and cattle. This suggests some change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora condition was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’, given light infestations of rubbervine and sicklepod at some sites.

Introduced aquatic flora condition was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition. No infestations were noted at assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna condition was ranked as ‘good’, with no pest fish species detected at assessment sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Ducie

Field-collected data from 4 sites was used to measure ecosystem response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Ducie catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Ducie catchment was ‘good’ condition.

Although the condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, there was evidence of impacts at sites. Some change in instream flora and fauna community structure is therefore expected.

Introduced riparian flora condition was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition. There were no infestations of weed species at assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic flora condition was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition with no infestations at assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna condition was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species detected at assessment sites. While neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted at any sites, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Endeavour

Field-collected data from 4 sites was used to measure Endeavour catchment’s ecosystem response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Endeavour catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna
introduced aquatic flora.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Endeavour catchment was ‘moderate disturbance’.

Although the condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, there was varying evidence of impact, ranging from severe to almost pristine. As such, some change in instream flora and fauna community structure is to be expected.

Introduced riparian flora condition was assessed as having ‘moderate disturbance’. Various introduced weed species were identified at assessment sites including lantana, rubber vine and sicklepod.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species detected at assessment sites. Tilapia have been sampled in the Endeavour previously, confirmation of continued existence would impact on condition.

Introduced aquatic flora was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition. There were no introduced aquatic flora infestations at assessment sites.

While neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Holroyd

Field-collected data from 3 sites was used to assess Holroyd riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Holroyd catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Holroyd catchment was ‘minor disturbance’.

Although the condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed in the report, feral pig and cattle activity was evident at all sites. Some change in instream flora and fauna community structure is therefore to be expected.

Introduced riparian flora condition was assessed as having ‘minor disturbance’, with low level infestation of sicklepod identified at 2 assessment sites, however threat from weeds was ‘severe’.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species detected at assessment sites in this assessment, or previous surveys. Cane toads were sighted and are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

The assessment also identified apparent impacts on water clarity (turbidity) downstream of a road crossing, and noted the role played by groundwater inputs to streams during dry flow conditions (refuge values).

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Jacky Jacky

Field-collected data from 3 sites was used to assess Jacky Jacky riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Jacky Jacky catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Jacky Jacky catchment was ‘good’ condition.

Other than moderate levels of feral pig damage, excellent scores were recorded in all other field measurements.

While condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, evidence of feral pig impacts suggests some change in instream flora and fauna community structure is to be expected.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘good’ condition, with no infestations of priority weed species present at any of the assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no previous record of pest fish species, and none detected at sites in this assessment.

Although neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Jardine

Field-collected data from 4 sites was used to assess Jardine riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Jardine catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Jardine catchment was ‘good’ condition.

While condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, evidence of feral pig impacts at all sites suggests some change in instream flora and fauna community structure is to be expected.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘good’ condition. No infestations of priority weed species were present at any of the assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species detected at assessment sites in this assessment, or in previous surveys. Although neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Jeannie

Field-collected data from 1 site was used to assess Jeannie riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Jeannie catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Jeannie catchment was ‘good’ condition.

Condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed. There was no evidence of cattle damage and only minor evidence of feral pig impacts. This suggests little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘good’ condition with no infestations of priority weed species.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species detected in this assessment. Cane toad eggs were found. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Lake Eyre

An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways in the province identified 3 threats for further investigation.

Key threats identified in the Lake Eyre area and Bulloo Province were:

introduced riparian fauna
introduced aquatic fauna
introduced riparian weeds.

Indicators of ecosystem condition relevant to these threats were assessed where possible.

No overall condition score was provided for the Lake Eyre and Bulloo Province.

No condition indicators were measured for introduced riparian fauna, although both feral pig and cattle damage to waterhole banks and riparian zones was found to be widespread in 2013 with few sites were unaffected.

While the Georgina and Cooper rivers were ranked as ‘slightly disturbed’ due to the spread of introduced aquatic fauna, the Bulloo and Diamantina rivers were in ‘good’ condition with 100% native species. There is still a diverse and abundant native fish community is in place across the province.

While no condition indicators were measured for introduced riparian weeds, all catchments in the Lake Eyre and Bulloo Province were assessed as being at ‘moderate’ risk of riparian weed disturbance, based on the types of land use surrounding waterholes.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Lockhart

Field-collected data from 3 sites was used to assess Lockhart riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Lockhart catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Lockhart catchment was ‘good’ condition.

While condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, evidence of feral pig impacts at 2 site suggests some change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘good’ condition with no infestations of priority weed species present at the assessment sites. Weeds including sicklepod, grader grass, giant rat’s tail grass and pond apple are known to be in the catchment.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition. No pest fish species were detected in this assessment, or in previous surveys. A cane toad was sighted at 1 of the sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Nebine

Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.

Key threats identified for Nebine catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
deposited sediment
introduced riparian vegetation.

Overall the condition of riverine ecosystems in the Nebine in 2012 was ranked as ‘moderately disturbed’.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as in 'moderate’ condition bordering on ‘severe’ condition, with a high proportion of exotic fish (mostly European carp) caught at most assessment sites.

Deposited sediment was ranked as in 'good’ condition with no loss of waterhole persistence from sediment deposition (sediment settling to the bottom of waterholes) in waterholes surveyed.

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as in 'slightly disturbed' condition with some physical damage to water banks from feral pigs and cattle.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Normanby

Field-collected data from 6 sites was used to assess Normanby riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Normanby catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Normanby catchment was ‘moderate disturbance’.

While condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed, evidence of cattle and feral pig impacts at sites suggests expectation of some change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘moderate disturbance’ with significant and widespread infestations of lantana, rubbervine and sicklepod weed species at assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic flora was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition. No introduced aquatic flora infestations were noted at assessment sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’ to condition, with goldfish in the upper east Normanby, and cane toads or their tadpoles at most assessment sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

This area is a ‘high’ risk for other introductions, including tilapia.

More information:

QCatchment Olive–Pascoe

Field-collected data from 4 sites was used to assess Olive–Pascoe riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Olive–Pascoe catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna.

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Olive–Pascoe catchment was ‘minor disturbance’.

Condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed. Evidence of low-level cattle and feral pig impacts at some sites suggests little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘minor disturbance’. Weeds, including rubbervine and sicklepod, were found at light levels of infestation at 3 sites monitored. Current threat of introduced riparian flora to the Olive–Pascoe was assessed as ‘severe’, given widespread presence and potential for quick change in condition.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition, with no pest fish species identified in this assessment, or in previous surveys. Although neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Paroo

Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.

Key threats identified for Paroo catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
deposited sediment
introduced riparian vegetation.

Indicators of ecosystem condition relevant to these threats were assessed where possible.

Overall the condition of riverine ecosystems in the Paroo in 2012 was ranked as ‘moderately disturbed’.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as in 'severe’ condition with European carp caught at all assessment sites and goldfish at most assessment sites.

Deposited sediment was ranked as in 'good’ condition with no loss of waterhole persistence from sediment deposition (sediment settling to the bottom of waterholes) in waterholes surveyed.

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as in 'slightly disturbed' condition with some physical damage to waterhole banks observed from feral pigs and cattle.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Queensland Eastern Murray Darling

Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.

Key threats identified for the Queensland Eastern Murray–Darling (QEMD) catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
deposited sediment
introduced riparian fauna.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘moderate disturbance’ condition across the QEMD catchments largely based on the presence of European carp, with a ‘severe disturbance’ ranking in the Moonie River Catchment. Thus, on average introduced aquatic fauna was assessed as ‘moderate disturbance’ condition for QEMD catchments.

Deposited sediment was ranked as ‘moderate disturbance’ condition across the QEMD catchments with a ‘severe disturbance’ ranking in the Moonie River Catchment. Thus, on average deposited sediment was assessed as ‘moderate disturbance’ condition for QEMD catchments.

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’ condition across the QEMD catchments with riparian stream bank damage mostly from cattle, followed by feral pig and goat.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Stewart

Field-collected data from 2 sites was used to assess Stewart riverine ecosystems response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified for the Stewart catchment were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic fauna

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Stewart catchment was ‘good’ condition.

Condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed. Evidence of minor impacts at sites (mainly from feral pigs) suggests little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘good’ condition with no infestations of priority weeds evident at the monitoring sites.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species identified in this assessment, or in previous surveys. Cane toad adults were sighted in very high numbers at 1 of the sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

More information:

QCatchment Warrego

Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.

Key threats identified for Warrego catchment were:

introduced aquatic fauna
deposited sediment
introduced riparian vegetation.

Indicators of ecosystem condition relevant to these threats were assessed where possible.

Overall the condition of riverine ecosystems in the Warrego in 2012 was ranked as ‘moderately disturbed’.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as in 'moderate’ condition with high carp biomass (weight) recorded at many sites.

Deposited sediment was ranked as in 'moderate’ condition, the persistence of waterholes over time was impacted at 2 sites by deposited sediment (sediment settling to the bottom of waterholes).

Introduced riparian fauna was ranked as in 'slightly disturbed' condition with some physical damage to water banks from feral pigs and cattle.

More information:

Condition of ecosystem report

QCatchment Wenlock

Field-collected data from 8 sites was used to assess Wenlock riverine ecosystems’ response to identified threats (where possible).

Key threats identified were:

introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs)
introduced riparian flora
introduced aquatic flora
introduced aquatic fauna

The QCatchments overall rating of riverine ecosystems in the Wenlock catchment was ‘good’ condition.

Condition of river systems associated with introduced riparian fauna was not assessed. Evidence of minor impacts at sites suggests little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.

Introduced riparian flora was assessed as having ‘minor disturbance’ due to localised infestations of rubbervine and sicklepod at the monitoring sites, however riparian weeds are the main threat to riverine ecology in the Wenlock.

Introduced aquatic flora was assessed as being in ‘good’ condition. No introduced aquatic flora infestations were noted at assessment sites. There are, however, anecdotal reports of water hyacinth in this catchment: water lettuce has been identified in adjoining catchments.

Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as in ‘good’ condition with no pest fish species identified in this assessment. While neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted, they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the condition scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)

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