$4 million boost for Pine River

Seqwater has expanded its partnership with Pine Rivers Catchment Association (PRCA) and will spend almost $4 million in five years to help the Upper North Pine River, near Dayboro.

Neil Brennan, Seqwater CEO, said the organisations had worked together for 15 years upstream of North Pine Dam (Lake Samsonvale) to control vine weeds.

Weeds threaten the health of North Pine River, which is a key drinking water catchment for the Moreton Bay Region and South East Queensland.

“Water treatment starts at our catchments and Seqwater relies on large open catchments covering more than 1.2 million hectares of land, 95 per cent of which we do not own or manage, which is why community partnerships like this are so important to achieving better land management and water quality outcomes,” Mr Brennan said.

“Together we’re committed to restoring and protecting South East Queensland’s drinking water catchments, including from riparian weeds like the invasive vine cats claw and Madeira vine which smother native vegetation so important to strengthening river banks.”

PRCA President Derek Johnson added: “Through Seqwater’s support, we have worked since the early 2000s to significantly improve the health of 22kms of the river and Terrors Creek.

“The river was in a terrible state, with thousands of riparian trees near death due to cats claw.

“Now vines are almost gone and the river looks amazing.

“Trees are healthy and able to continue to stabilize the riverbanks, to enhance the condition of the North and South Pine River catchments.”

Weed control work is being supported by Moreton Bay Regional Council with river erosion and farm planning by Healthy Land and Water.

The extended partnership was announced on World Water Day (March 22) recognising this year’s theme, Be the change, showing how local actions make a difference to waterways.