Pressures affecting Queensland’s aquatic ecosystems
Key Finding
The pressures affecting Queensland's aquatic ecosystems vary depending on local conditions and land management use and practices. Broadly, sediments, nutrients and pesticides are the main catchment pressures on our aquatic ecosystems. Climate change is also a pressure on aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Great Barrier Reef.
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- Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
- Reef Water Quality report card
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- 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
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(Townsville Dry Tropics boundary is indicative only)
Queensland
Pressures on Queensland's waterways vary between regions and are generally linked to catchment land uses.
Overall, the main catchment pressures broadly impacting Queensland rivers are:
- sediment
- nutrients
- pesticides.
Relative importance of these pressures varies between regions. Emerging threats from micro and macro-plastics and litter are under current consideration and are reported on in some of the Great Barrier Reef catchments (Mackay–Whitsunday and Wet Tropics).
Climate change also impacts aquatic ecosystems, particularly the Great Barrier Reef.
Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
The 2019 Healthy Land and Water report card helps us understand the pressures affecting ecosystem health in freshwater areas in South East Queensland (SEQ).
The main threats affecting SEQ water quality health were:
- loss of natural riverbank vegetation
- erosion
- sediment
- nutrients.
Loss of natural riverbank vegetation, cleared for agriculture and urban development, is the primary pressure affecting the health of freshwater creek and river systems in SEQ.
- Riparian vegetation provides shade for rivers, helping regulate temperature to support habitat for freshwater creatures.
- Riparian vegetation filters nutrients and sediments that pollute waterways and stabilises riverbanks.
Historic and current land management practices have caused substantial erosion in SEQ catchments.
- Erosion leads to sediment or mud entering waterways. This can smother water plants and habitats, and reduce water clarity.
Sediment from urban and rural sources such as construction and agriculture in catchments is a primary threat affecting aquatic ecosystems. The amount of sediment entering waterways depends on the extent of riparian vegetation, agricultural and urban development practices, and rainfall.
Nutrients from agriculture and treated sewage effluent also impact waterways. A major program of sewage treatment plant upgrades and stream rehabilitation has significantly reduced the impact of effluent in waterways’ health over the past 15 to 20 years, and agricultural best management practice programs aim to reduce nutrient run-off.
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.
Reef health over such a vast area varies: the inshore reef is strongly influenced by activities in the adjacent catchment.
The 2017 and 2018 Reef Water Quality Report Card showed progress towards the 2025 land management target.
90% of land in priority areas under grazing, horticulture, bananas, sugarcane and other broad-acre cropping are using best management practice systems for water quality outcomes (soil, nutrients and pesticides).
- 9.8% of sugarcane land was managed using best practice systems.
- 35.8% of grazing land was managed using best practice systems.
- 28.6% of horticultural land was managed using best practice systems.
- 38% of grain farming land was managed using best management systems.
- 64.7% of banana farming land was managed using best management systems.
Science shows improving the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef is critical to building its resilience and enabling it to recover.
Long-term, climate change impacts are expected to place increasing pressure on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting program (Paddock to Reef program) was reviewed and updated in 2018 in line with the updated Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017–2022. Updated methods to improve confidence in results and to include recent advances in science and technology were also implemented. Some of the 2017–2018 results are not directly be comparable to previous years’ reporting due to these changes in methods.
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Fitzroy Basin report card
The Fitzroy Basin is home to several rare and threatened species, and internationally significant wetlands. It has the greatest diversity of native freshwater fish in Australia and supports commercial and recreational fisheries significant to Queensland.
The Fitzroy Partnership for River Health recognises the following activities as being the main sources of pressure on water quality in this region:
- mining and natural gas extraction
- cropping and grazing
- water extraction.
The region is a mineral-rich area and mining/extraction activities can lead to increases in the levels of certain toxicants in waterways if not managed effectively. Proposed increases in agricultural development, more mining operations and increasing coal seam gas extraction have the potential to further impact water quality in the region.
The combination of low rainfall and poor grazing practices can lead to low ground cover, which can then lead to increased sediment run-off during rainfall events. If not managed effectively, water abstraction in ephemeral stream areas can lead to increases in salinity within refugial waterholes.
In addition to these pressures, flow in the Fitzroy Basin is regulated with 28 dams and numerous weirs. The effect of impoundment and altered flows associated with these structures has the potential to impact sediment transport and nutrient cycling processes, which can then affect water quality.
The Fitzroy Basin is characterised by a highly variable flow regime, ephemeral streams in its upper reaches, large tidal volumes in the estuary, and periods of extensive riverine flooding. Because of its large size, variable rainfall across the Basin means that water quality can differ between sub-catchments in any given year. Large flooding can occur, discharging sediment, nutrients and chemicals into the sensitive Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
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.
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Gladstone Harbour report card
Gladstone Harbour and its associated catchments are used for wide range of activities — from agricultural, industrial and urban development to fishing, dredging and shipping. These activities impact on the harbour’s water quality.
Gladstone Healthy Harbour Partnership identified the following broad drivers affecting their region:
- climate variability
- environmental flows from catchments
- hydrological connectivity
- tidal flushing
- natural high levels of certain minerals
- human population change
- political and economic drivers.
Specific examples of pressures identified by the Partnership that may change water quality within the harbour include:
- episodic disturbances
- urban, industrial and agricultural development (resulting in habitat loss and the mobilisation of sediment, nutrients and toxicants into waterways)
- altered environmental flow
- point source pollution.
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.
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Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
The Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership lists the high-level regional drivers in their region as:
- climate (including climate change and variability)
- population growth
- economic growth.
The current pressures in the Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac Region range from those occurring on an international level, to Reef-wide and localised regional pressures.
Pressures relevant to water quality include:
- urban, coastal, and industrial development (habitat loss and associated loss of pollutant filtering function)
- cyclones, droughts and floods
- port development and shipping
- agricultural development and activities
- tourism and recreational use
- litter
- diffuse source pollution (agriculture and urban
- point source pollution (urban and industrial).
This region is a major agricultural area with a significant area of the catchment under cane production.
- Catchment run-off of pollutants, particularly nutrients and pesticides present a major pressure, notably in the Pioneer Basin and Plane River Basin.
- Pesticides have also been recorded at moderate levels in parts of the inshore marine zone, highlighting the ability of pesticides applied on land to impact nearby reef ecosystems.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 led to large, short-term increases in the amount of sediment and nutrients entering local waterways. Recent research indicates that fine sediments entering the inshore marine zone stay suspended in the water column for quite some time.
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.
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Wet Tropics Waterways report card
The Wet Tropics Waterways Partnership sees the key drivers and pressures affecting freshwater ecosystems in the Wet Tropics Waterways region as:
- climate change and variability
- population growth
- economic growth
- cyclones and episodic events (including drought and flood events)
- agricultural activities and development
- port development and shipping activities
- urban coastal and industrial development
- tourism and recreational use
- litter
- water resource development and alteration of natural flow regimes
- invasive species.
The Wet Tropics is characterised by high value freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem assets. About 35% of land in the region is within the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which provides some protection to the integrity of connecting freshwater catchment waterways and the estuarine and marine ecosystems.
Although the region’s marine environments are within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, providing a degree of protection to these ecosystems, water quality is affected by:
- agricultural, urban and industrial land uses (including both coastal and inland areas)
- port development
- shipping activities.
Impacts of land use include increases in particular nutrients, suspended solids and pesticides. Ports dredging can also increase suspended sediment levels, as can extreme weather (floods and cyclones). In the marine environment, these impacts may be compounded by ocean acidification as a result of climate change.
In freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, the reduced extent of wetlands, floodplains and riparian communities has meant a loss of water quality improvement function. In addition, modified flows in some catchments affect water quality in terms of sediment movement and nutrient cycling.
Natural disturbances such as cyclones and floods, along with climatic variability and shifts in rainfall patterns, also affect water quality in this region. Lower than average rainfall has been a feature of this region for the past few years, notwithstanding a major rainfall event that occurred in March 2018. This has partly contributed to the generally ‘good’ water quality outlined in recent report cards as a result of reduced pollutant 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.
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Townsville Dry Tropics report card
The Townsville Dry Tropics Partnership views different pressures on water quality in the Townsville Dry Tropics Region’s all ecosystem zones as being:
- land clearing and urban development
- urban and industrial contaminants
- agricultural practices and associated pollutant run-off
- gross pollutants.
Catchment run-off has a much greater impact on freshwater and inshore marine zones than on offshore areas.
Pressures specifically relevant to water quality within freshwater ecosystems in this region include:
- hardening of the catchment (increase in impervious surfaces resulting in higher stormwater run-off velocities and erosion in local waterways)
- groundwater extraction (leading to rising water tables and increased salinity).
Pressures specifically relevant to water quality within estuarine ecosystems in this region include:
- sand dredging and coastal erosion
- wastewater discharge (nutrient and salinity aspects)
- chemicals in personal care products and microplastics that cannot be removed by conventional wastewater treatment
- septic systems (leaching of nutrients into waterways via groundwater flows).
Pressures specifically relevant to water quality within marine ecosystems in this region include:
- dredging
- oil and chemical spills
- poorly managed tourism and recreation.
Sediment associated with discharges from the Burdekin River impacts the Cleveland Bay inshore areas, where deposited sediment from those plumes can be re-suspended by wind and tidal currents. Large sediment plumes from the Burdekin River that occurred in the 2019 flood event are likely to have exacerbated this, but this is not yet known.
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.
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QCatchment Archer
Field-collected data was used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the Archer catchment.
Key threats for Archer catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod) — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating for the Archer in 2014 was ‘moderate’.
Introduced riparian fauna poses the main threat to Archer River’s riverine ecology, accessing the riparian zone, river bank and channel.
Although introduced riparian flora condition was ranked as ‘minor disturbance’, the threat is ‘severe’ as only 1 of the 4 assessed sites was free of weeds.
Introduced aquatic fauna pose a ‘low’ threat. Neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted at any sites but are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Bulloo
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
The main threats for Bulloo catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- deposited sediment — slight
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for Bulloo in 2012 was ‘slightly disturbed’.
While introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Bulloo catchment, the current threat is ‘low’.
Deposited sediment (sediment settling to the bottom and filling waterholes) was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Bulloo catchment, but only a ‘slight’ current threat. Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Bulloo catchment, as they can cause physical damage to banks and water quality issues.
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QCatchment Burdekin
An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways in the Burdekin catchment identified 5 threats for further investigation.
Key threats to waterways in the Burdekin catchment were identified:
- introduced aquatic fauna — high
- introduced riparian fauna — high
- introduced riparian flora — moderate
- increased nutrients — high
- deposited sediment — high.
Introduced aquatic fauna, such as tilapia species and eastern Gambusia, was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat in the Burdekin catchment.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and cattle, was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat.
Introduced riparian flora was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk threat in the Burdekin catchment, with a high presence of riparian weeds in intensively developed areas.
Increased levels of nutrients from coastal agriculture and sewage treatment plant discharge was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat.
Deposited sediment, primarily from erosion due to grazing, was identified as a ‘high’ risk threat across the Burdekin catchment.
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QCatchment Coleman
Field-collected data identified key threats to Coleman catchment riverine ecosystems as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- introduced riparian flora (e.g. rubbervine, sicklepod) — moderate.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Coleman was ‘moderate’.
Cattle and feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, bank and channel posed the main threat to riverine ecology in the Coleman catchment.
While riparian weeds were found at ‘low’ levels of infestation, conditions can change rapidly: hence they were also of concern.
The potential for spread of pest fish species into the region is ‘high’, and therefore remains a risk. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Ducie
Field-collected data identified key threats to Ducie catchment’s riverine ecosystems as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Ducie was ‘moderate’.
The assessment concluded that while the catchment was currently in ‘good’ condition, the main threat to riverine ecology was feral pigs and cattle accessing the riparian zone.
While the current threat of introduced fish species was assessed as ‘low’, the potential for spread of pest fish species and cane toads was high, and therefore remains a ‘moderate’ risk. Neither canetoads nor their tadpoles were not sighted but they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Endeavour
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components within Endeavour catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — high
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
- introduced aquatic flora — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Endeavour was ‘moderate’.
The assessment concluded a ‘high’ current threat from introduced riparian flora, with infestations of lantana, rubbervine, and sicklepod, among others.
Despite the ‘low’ current threat identified for aquatic fauna, introduced aquatic fauna present a ‘high’ risk. Tilapia have been sampled in the Endeavour previously: confirmation of continued existence would impact on current threat and condition. Neither canetoads nor their tadpoles were not sighted but they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Holroyd
Field-collection data identified key threats to riverine ecosystems within Holroyd catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs, unfenced stock) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Holroyd was ‘moderate’.
Introduced riparian fauna and flora pose the main threats. Impacts from feral pigs and cattle were observed at all sites (threats were identified as ‘moderate’).
The current threat rating for riparian flora was ‘severe’: 2 sites have sicklepod.
While introduced aquatic fauna were ranked as a ‘low’ current threat, cane toads were sighted and are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jacky Jacky
Field-collected data was used to assess identified key threats to riverine ecosystems within Jacky Jacky catchment.
Key threats identified for the Jacky Jacky catchment were:
- introduced riparian fauna (feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Jacky Jacky was ‘moderate’.
Feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, riverbank and channel pose the main current threat to riverine ecology in the Jacky Jacky catchment. This assessed threat was higher than initial risk assessments. Other than moderate levels of feral pig damage, excellent scores were recorded in all other field measurements.
While no pest fish species have been found to date, there remains a risk of spread into the catchment from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York. Neither cane toads nor their tadpoles were not sighted but they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jardine
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components within Jardine catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Jardine was ‘moderate’.
Feral pigs posed the main current threat to Jardine catchment riverine ecology. Damage was evident at all sites.
The absence of priority weed infestations at assessment sites led to a ‘low’ current threat. Similarly, the lack of any pest fish species in the assessment let to a ‘low’ current threat. While no pest fish species were found, a risk of spread remains from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Neither canetoads nor their tadpoles were not sighted but they are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Jeannie
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components within Jeannie catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Jeannie was ‘minor’.
From the single site assessed, feral pigs accessing the riparian zone, riverbank and channel were considered the main current threat to riverine ecology in the Jeannie catchment.
While riparian weeds were not recorded at the assessment site, they have been identified as a risk: as tourism expands, there is a greater chance of weed spread via 4WD vehicles.
No pest fish species were found, however spread remains a risk from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
Cane toad eggs were found at the site. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Lake Eyre
No overall condition score was provided for the Lake Eyre and Bulloo province.
An ecological risk assessment of threats to waterways identified 3 threats for further investigation:
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian weeds - moderate.
Introduced riparian fauna was assessed as a ‘moderate’ risk. Feral pigs and cattle have access to the riparian zone. Slightly higher risks—in the high end of the ‘moderate’ range—were observed in the Georgina and Diamantina catchments. Cattle impact was more severe at survey sites across the province.
Lake Eyre catchment was at ‘moderate’ risk from introduced aquatic fauna overall although this varied:
- ‘moderate’ risk for Georgina and Cooper rivers
- ‘no risk’ for Bulloo and Diamantina rivers.
Overall risk from introduced riparian weeds was ‘moderate’ with variances across the catchment:
- ‘slight’ in the Bulloo catchment
- ‘moderate’ in the Diamantina and Cooper Creek catchments
- ‘high’ in the Georgina catchment.
The highest numbers of targeted weed species were recorded in the Cooper and Georgina catchments.
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QCatchment Lockhart
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components of Lockhart catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Lockhart was ‘moderate’.
Introduced riparian fauna (i.e. feral pigs and cattle) accessing the riparian zone, riverbank and channel were assessed as the main current threat to riverine ecology in the Lockhart catchment.
While there was no evidence of priority weed species present at the assessment sites, weeds (e.g. sicklepod, grader grass, pond apple) are known to be in the catchment.
No pest fish species were found, however a risk of spread remains from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York.
A cane toad was sighted at 1 site. (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 condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
Key threats identified for Nebine catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — low
- introduced riparian fauna - slight.
The overall rating for the Nebine catchment in 2012 was ‘moderately disturbed’
Introduced fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk and a ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems in the Nebine catchment.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Nebine catchment, but a ‘low’ current threat.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk but only a represent a ‘slight’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Nebine catchment.
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QCatchment Normanby
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components of Normanby catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — moderate
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — slight.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Normanby was ‘moderate’.
Introduced riparian flora and fauna posed the highest risk to Normanby catchment riverine ecosystems. Cattle and feral pigs are likely to have a negative impact on waterholes by destroying habitat, increasing erosion and contributing contaminants to water. The presence of significant and widespread infestations of weeds among monitoring sites (including lantana, rubber vine and sicklepod) indicated a ‘moderate’ current threat.
Goldfish were identified at one isolated site: the area is a ‘high’ risk for other introductions, especially tilapia. Cane toads or their tadpoles were identified at most assessment sites. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat scores because of their extensive presence across Cape York.)
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QCatchment Olive–Pascoe
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components of Olive–Pascoe catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Olive–Pascoe was ‘severe’.
Introduced riparian flora pose the main threat to riverine ecology in the Olive–Pascoe catchment. While weeds (including rubbervine and sicklepod) were recorded at low levels of abundance, their widespread presence implies ecosystem condition could change quickly. Tourism’s expansion in Cape York increases the chance of weed spread via 4WD vehicles.
No pest fish species were found in this or previous surveys, however a risk of spread remains from the north (via Torres Strait) and from catchments to the south of Cape York. Cane toads are known to occur in the catchment. (The presence of cane toads is not reflected in the threat 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.
The main threats for Paroo catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — slight
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for the Paroo in 2012 was ‘moderately disturbed’.
While introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Paroo catchment, this is currently a ‘moderate’ threat.
Deposited sediment was identified as a high potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Paroo catchment but only represents a ‘slight’ current threat.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Paroo catchment, as they can cause physical damage to banks and water quality issues.
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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) catchments were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — moderate
- deposited sediment — minor
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate
- introduced riparian flora — minor.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, and eastern Gambusia pose a ‘high’ risk and a ‘minor’ current threat to riverine ecosystems across the QEMD except for the Moonie River catchment, which has a ‘high’ current threat status for introduced aquatic fauna. Thus, on average introduced aquatic fauna was assessed as a ‘moderate’ current threat for QEMD catchments.
Deposited sediment (was identified as a ‘high’ risk and ‘minor’ current threat overall in the QEMD catchments with a ‘moderate’ current threat ranking in the Moonie River catchment. Thus, on average deposited sediment was assessed as a ‘minor’ current threat for QEMD catchments.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones can increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as cattle, feral pigs and goats, was identified as a ‘low’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat overall for the QEMD catchments.
While, introduced riparian flora, mainly Cylindropuntia cacti, Prickly Acacia (Vachellia nilotica), and Noogoora Burr (Xanthium occidentale) were identified as a ‘low’ risk and ‘minor’ current threat overall for the QEMD catchments.
Climate change was also identified as a ‘high’ risk in the Condamine and Upper Balonne catchment, and ‘moderate’ risk in the remaining QEMD catchments. However no threat assessment was assigned.
It must be acknowledged that climate change is both current and future threat to aquatic ecosystems throughout the Queensland Murray–Darling Basin.
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QCatchment Stewart
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components of Stewart catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Stewart was ‘minor’.
Based on evidence of minor impacts at sites (mainly from pigs), there is expected to be little change in instream flora and fauna community structure.
No infestations of priority weeds were recorded at the monitoring sites, hence a ‘low’ current threat was recorded for riparian flora.
No pest fish species were identified in this assessment (or in previous surveys), however the threat of spread remains and would have serious consequences to aquatic ecosystems across Cape York.
Cane toad adults were sighted in very high numbers at 1 site.
Suspended and deposited sediments were considered of posing a higher risk to Stewart’s riverine ecosystems than Cape York generally.
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QCatchment Warrego
Conceptual models are used to determine catchment specific condition indicators based on the relevant pressures in the catchment.
Key threats to the Warrego catchment were:
- introduced aquatic fauna — slight
- deposited sediment — moderate
- introduced riparian fauna — moderate.
The overall rating for the Warrego in 2012 was ‘moderately disturbed’.
Introduced aquatic fauna such as European carp, goldfish, eastern mosquitofish and red claw crayfish pose the highest potential risk to riverine ecosystems in the Warrego catchment but only a ‘slight’ current threat.
Deposited sediment was identified as a ‘high’ potential risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems in the Warrego catchment.
Activities such as vegetation clearing and introduced animals in riparian zones increase the chances of sediment entering waterholes.
Introduced riparian fauna, such as feral pigs and unfenced cattle, was identified as a ‘moderate’ risk and ‘moderate’ current threat to riverine ecosystems of the Warrego catchment as they can cause physical damage to banks and water quality issues.
More information:
QCatchment Wenlock
Field-collected data identified key threats to riverine ecosystem components within Wenlock catchment as:
- introduced riparian fauna (e.g. cattle, feral pigs) — minor
- introduced riparian flora — severe
- introduced aquatic flora — low
- introduced aquatic fauna — low.
The overall rating of threats to riverine ecosystems in the Wenlock was ‘severe’.
Riparian weeds represented the main threat to Wenlock riverine ecology, with infestations of rubbervine and sicklepod in evidence.
Introduced aquatic flora was assessed as having ‘low’ threat. No introduced aquatic flora infestations were noted at sites, however there are anecdotal reports of water hyacinth in this catchment, and water lettuce has been identified in adjoining catchments.
Introduced aquatic fauna was ranked as ‘low’ current threat with no pest fish species identified in this assessment. However, there is potential for spread into the region; exotic and translocated fish could have a devastating impact on the Wenlock, as it is one of the most diverse catchments in Australia in terms of freshwater fish.
Neither canetoads nor their tadpoles were not sighted at any of the sites but they are known to occur in the catchment.
More information:
Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets
Pressures identified in Healthy Waterways South East Queensland report card
No data available for this region.
Pressures identified in Fitzroy Basin report card
No data available for this region.
Pressures identified in Gladstone Harbour report card
No data available for this region.
Pressures identified in Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
No data available for this region.
Pressures identified in Wet Tropics report card
No data available for this region.
Pressures identified in Townsville Dry Tropics
No data available for this region.
Download data from Queensland Government data
Metadata
Pressures identified in various water quality report cards across Queensland.