Water quality report card coverage
Key Finding
Water quality report cards have been prepared for many of Queensland’s coastal catchments and for parts of the Murray–Darling Basin. Depending on location, these report cards include condition of habitat, water quality and other ecosystem features at different spatial and time scales. In other areas, where report cards have not been prepared, there are varying scales of monitoring within the catchments.
Filter this information
Queensland or report card area:
- Map
- List
- 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
A number of different water quality monitoring programs and activities are conducted throughout many of Queensland’s rivers, creeks and coastal areas.
Water quality report cards document the state of water quality in freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystems in Queensland. The use of both monitoring and modelling applications allows wide-scale coverage of the state of water quality in Queensland waterways. Reporting water quality occurs at different timescales, from annual report cards in coastal areas to less frequent reporting in more remote regions.
The regional report card partnerships either conduct water quality monitoring or draw on data available from existing programs to produce catchment health report cards. These report cards provide water quality information for freshwater, estuarine and marine areas of the Great Barrier Reef catchments and south east Queensland catchments. In developed areas, land use activity in the catchment is more intense and has impacted water quality and waterway health.
Water quality report cards are not currently available for the Gulf of Carpentaria catchments, some coastal catchments and parts of the Murray–Darling Basin. The QCatchments program plans to undertake assessments of some of these areas in future years.
Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card
The South East Queensland region extends from the Noosa River catchment in the north to the New South Wales border in the south, and west to the Great Dividing Range.
The Healthy Land and Water South East Queensland report card covers the 18 major river catchments, as well as the marine areas of Pumicestone Passage, Moreton Bay and the Broadwater.
The report card is an annual commentary of the state of estuarine, marine, and since 2002, freshwater health with waterway monitoring from about 400 sites across the region.
The 2019 report card used the methodology from 2015 to calculate environmental grades as well as the impact from sediment entering waterways, the extent of habitats such as riparian vegetation, and waterways’ social and economic benefits ratings. It also explored management actions needed to improve waterways health. Each catchment was graded although no overall grade was assigned for Moreton Bay’s ecosystem health.
In 2019, none of the waterways ‘failed’ the environmental condition grade:
- Grades in marine areas ranged from ‘good’ to ‘excellent’.
- Pumicestone and Noosa catchments were graded ‘excellent’.
- Some catchments, for example in upper and western rural areas, were ‘poor’.
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. The joint state-federal Reef Water Quality Reef Report card details progress towards the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan targets and objectives. It reports on land and catchment management targets, water quality targets, wetland condition and inshore marine condition.
While many landholders have improved their land management practices, the results reflect the scale of change still required to meet the water quality targets.
The 2017 and 2018 report card indicated inshore marine water quality was in ‘poor’ condition overall. The Cape York region was in ‘good’ condition and the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and Burnett Mary regions were ‘moderate’. The Mackay Whitsunday and Fitzroy regions were in ‘poor’ condition.
Water quality at mid and outer shelf sites is generally ‘good’ to ‘very good’ overall because it is less directly influenced by river discharge.
The 2017–2018 report card detailed progress towards the Reef catchment water quality targets:
- 21.2% towards a 60% reduction target for dissolved inorganic nitrogen (0.3% reduction in 2017–2018)
- 14.4% towards a 25% reduction target for fine sediment (0.5% reduction in 2017–2018).
A new pesticide risk baseline was set, indicating 97% of aquatic species are unlikely to experience harmful effects from pesticides. An additional 2% of aquatic species need to be protected to meet the target. While this baseline represents the overall end-of-catchment risk across all Great Barrier Reef catchments, some regions and catchments have a much lower level of protection and will require considerably larger improvements to meet the target.
The Paddock to Reef Integrated Monitoring, Modelling and Reporting program (Paddock to Reef program) was reviewed and updated in 2018 to reflect the new targets set in the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan 2017–2022. Due to the changed targets, some of the 2017–2018 results are not directly comparable to previous years’ reporting.
More information:
Fitzroy Basin report card
The Fitzroy Partnership for River Health is a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, and conservation and community groups.
The Partnership has produced an annual report card on waterway health since 2010–2011.
The 2019 report covers the 2017–18 financial year period.
The report card covers 11 sub-catchment and 1 estuarine zone within the Fitzroy River Basin.
Ecosystem health for each is assessed based on water quality and ecological indicators using data from more than 220 sites. The condition of crop, stock and drinking water quality in this region has also been assessed as part of the report card process.
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 is a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, research, conservation and community groups.
It produces an annual report card, which covers ecosystem health in 10 estuaries and 3 inshore marine ones within the harbour – an area extending between the Narrows to the north, Rodds Bay to the south and the outer harbour to the east. It also reports on social, economic and cultural heritage condition with this region.
The Partnership has released 6 report cards.
Additional ecological indicators have been introduced over time to make ecosystem health assessment more meaningful.
Ratings within zones are now only provided for individual ecosystem health components (i.e., water and sediment, habitat and fish and crabs). As such, trends over time can only be assessed in terms of ratings for those components.
The 2019 report, released in February 2020, covers the 2018–19 financial year period.
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:
Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac report card
The Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership is a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, conservation and community groups.
The Mackay–Whitsunday–Isaac region covers:
- the Don, Proserpine, O’Connell, Pioneer, and Plane basins
- urban areas of Mackay, Proserpine and Airlie Beach
- ports of Abbot Point, Mackay, and Hay Point
- marinas
- coastal and marine area to the eastern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
The Partnership produces an annual report card on the health of waterways in this region, covering freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, as well as zones within near-shore and offshore marine environments. It also reports on economic, social, stewardship and cultural heritage condition within this region.
A pilot report card was released in October 2015. Full report cards have been released annually since 2016. The 2019 report card covers the 2017–18 financial year period.
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:
Wet Tropics Waterways report card
The Wet Tropics Waterways report card is produced by the Wet Tropics Waterways Partnership, a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, conservation and community groups.
The Partnership produces an annual report card that covers the region from Bloomfield in the north to the Herbert River in the south east and to Atherton Tablelands in the north west.
The report card provides information on the ecosystem health of waterways in this region, including major rivers and estuaries, as well as inshore and offshore reefs.
A pilot report card was released in December 2016. The first full report card in December 2017. Two other full report cards have followed. The latest report card was released in 2019, covering the 2017–18 financial year reporting period.
The Wet tropics region is unique in having 2 World Heritage Areas side-by-side: the Wet Tropics and Great Barrier Reef.
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:
Townsville Dry Tropics report card
The Townsville Dry Tropics for Healthy Waters is a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, research, and conservation groups.
The Partnership produced a pilot report card in 2019, covering all freshwater, estuaries and coastal waters that link the land to the outer Great Barrier Reef within the area between Halifax Bay to the north, Cleveland Bay to the south and the offshore marine zone beyond the Townsville local government area. The region includes the city of Townsville, which is the largest urban centre within the broader Great Barrier Reef catchment. Magnetic Island and Palm Island are also included within this area.
The Townsville Dry Tropics for Healthy Waters is a collaborative initiative involving government, industry, research, and conservation groups. This Partnership produced a pilot report card in 2019. The report card covered ecosystem health (in terms of water quality and ecology) and community values associated with the Black and Ross freshwater basins, the inshore marine zones of Halifax Bay and Cleveland Bay and the offshore marine zone.
Ratings for overall ecosystem health condition are not provided at either the zone or region scale. Ratings are, however, provided separately for water quality and ecology (referred to as “biodiversity” in the report card) for each zone where sufficient data are available. Changes over time will need to be tracked based on biodiversity and water quality ratings for each zone.
There are plans to expand the report card assessment to include economic condition indicators.
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:
QCatchment Archer
The Archer catchment is located on the western coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including the main Archer River, the braided channels of Coen River and Kirke Creek. Land use is predominantly conservation and grazing native vegetation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Archer catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Bulloo
The Bulloo catchment is located in arid inland south-west Queensland. It is terminal system (no outflow to other rivers or the sea), flowing into several lake systems near the border of New South Wales and Queensland.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for the Bulloo catchment was prepared in 2012 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Burdekin
The Burkdekin catchment is located in Queensland’s Dry Tropics. It incorporates the catchments of the Lower and Upper Burdekin River, Bowen River and Suttor River.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments Risk Assessment report for the Burdekin was prepared in 2018 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Coleman
The Coleman catchment is located on the western coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates the Coleman and Edward river systems, as well as Bull Lake, which is included in the Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia and provides vital habitat for migratory birds.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Coleman catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Ducie
The Ducie catchment is located on the north-west coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates the Ducie, McDonald, Skardon, Jackson and Doughboy rivers and many smaller creeks such as the Palm, North Alice and Cockatoo creeks. Land use is predominantly conservation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Ducie catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Endeavour
The Endeavour catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including the Endeavour and Annan rivers. Land use is predominantly conservation, with cattle grazing and mixed cropping along the Endeavour valley.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Endeavour catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Holroyd
The Holroyd catchment is located on the western coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including the Holroyd and Kendall rivers and many smaller creeks. Most (59%) of the wetlands found in the catchment are palustrine (vegetated, non-riverine/non channel systems), with only 19% riverine and 22% estuarine wetlands. Land use is predominantly managed resource protection and grazing native vegetation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Holroyd catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Jacky Jacky
The Jacky Jacky catchment is located on the north-east coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including Jacky Jacky Creek and Escape River which flow to the north, and Harmer Creek which drains east into Shelburne Bay. Land use in the catchment is predominantly conservation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York including the Jacky Jacky catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends including, where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Jardine
The Jardine catchment is the northern most catchment on the Australian mainland, at the tip of Queensland’s Cape York. The catchment, which includes the Jardine River, McHenry River and Eliot Creek, flows in a north-westerly direction into the Torres Strait. Most (83%) of the wetlands in the catchment are palustrine (non-riverine, vegetated wetlands). Land use is predominantly conservation, including Jardine River National Park.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Jardine catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Jeannie
The Jeannie catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including the Jeannie and Starke rivers. Land use is predominantly national park and Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land, including Cape Melville National Park.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Jeannie catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Lake Eyre
The Lake Eyre and Bulloo QCatchments report includes the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin which is made up of the Georgina, Diamantina and Cooper Creek catchments, as well as the internally draining Bulloo catchment.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years. The QCatchments report for the Lake Eyre and Bulloo catchments was prepared in 2013 by the Queensland Government.
The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Lockhart
The Lockhart catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York. It incorporates several river systems including the Lockhart and Claudie Rivers which discharge into Lloyd Bay. There are many smaller rivers and creeks in the catchment which flow directly into the Coral Sea.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Lockhart catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Nebine
The Nebine catchment is located in semi-arid south-west Queensland. It is part of the Queensland Murray–Darling Basin and incorporates the catchments of Nebine, Mungallala and Wallam creeks.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for the Nebine catchment was prepared in 2012 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Normanby
The Normanby catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York and incorporates the Hann and Normanby sub-catchments. Land use is largely grazing native vegetation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Normanby catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Olive–Pascoe
The Olive–Pascoe catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York and incorporates several river systems, including the Olive, Claudie, and Pascoe rivers.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Olive–Pascoe catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Paroo
The Paroo catchment is located in inland south-west Queensland. It is the last of the northern Murray–Darling Basin’s free-flowing, unregulated rivers, connecting to the Darling River only in unusually wet years. The Paroo is an ephemeral system (dry much of the year but flows for a short time after rainfall) that flows from Queensland into New South Wales.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for the Paroo catchment was prepared in 2012 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Queensland Eastern Murray Darling
The Queensland Eastern Murray–Darling (QEMD) catchment is in semi-arid south-west Queensland. It is part of the Queensland Murray–Darling Basin and incorporates the catchments of the Moonie River, Border Rivers, Condamine River and Balonne River.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for the QEMD was prepared in 2019 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Stewart
The Stewart catchment is located on the eastern coast of Queensland’s Cape York and incorporates several small river systems including the Rocky, Stewart and Massey rivers and Breakfast Creek. Land use is predominantly national park and Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Stewart catchment summary factsheet, was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
The Eastern Cape York Water Quality Improvement Plan and supporting research reports provide additional information on freshwater, estuarine and marine ecosystem values, condition and trends, including where available, information on coral reefs, dugongs, sea grass and water quality.
More information:
QCatchment Warrego
The Warrego catchment is located in inland south-west Queensland and is part of the Murray–Darling Basin. Several upper tributaries separate into anabranches (multiple river channels) north of the New South Wales border before the main Warrego River channel flows into the Darling River. The anabranches can connect to neighbouring catchments (Paroo and Culgoa rivers) during times of high flow which occur only after unpredictable heavy rainfall events.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for the Warrego catchment was prepared in 2012 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
QCatchment Wenlock
The Wenlock catchment is on the western coast of Queensland’s Cape York. The catchment includes Wenlock River and various smaller creeks, many of which are spring-fed. Land use is predominantly grazing native vegetation and conservation.
QCatchments is a state-wide rolling waterway condition assessment program producing ‘one-off’ condition reports with a return interval of about 9 years.
The QCatchments report for Cape York, including the Wenlock catchment summary factsheet was prepared in 2017 by the Queensland Government. The QCatchments program can be scaled up or down from province to catchment level, depending on information needs. The program moves across the state depending on priorities, with assessments generally undertaken to support water planning assessments.
The program:
- identifies priority threats to aquatic ecosystems
- reports on the condition of the ecosystem
- improves understanding of ecosystem processes and the influence of threats
- guides natural resource decision-making processes.
More information:
