en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Port of Brisbane, in partnership with Healthy Land & Water, has completed the fifth stage of stream restoration in the Lockyer Valley, preventing an average of 20,000 tonnes of sediment from entering Southeast Queensland waterways each year.

This decade-long collaborative project is dedicated to protecting agricultural land, reducing sediment pollution, and restoring regional waterways. The latest stage, part of the Laidley Creek Restoration Master Plan, involved clearing and stabilizing one kilometer of degraded creek bank, followed by the replanting of hundreds of native plants sourced from a local nursery in the Lockyer Valley. Funding includes an extended maintenance period to support vegetation establishment and long-term resilience.

Neil Stephens, Chief Executive Officer of Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL), stated that the project demonstrates the value of sustained on-ground investment. Over the past decade, PBPL, Healthy Land & Water, and project partners have completed five Laidley Creek projects, restoring 3.8 kilometers of degraded waterway and preventing an average of nearly 20,000 tonnes of sediment from entering regional catchments each year. The projects have improved local habitat and water quality while reducing erosion risks to adjacent high-quality agricultural land, particularly during severe weather events.

Julie McLellan, Chief Executive Officer of Healthy Land & Water, noted that the project benefits more than just a stretch of waterway; it is a cornerstone for building a healthier Southeast Queensland. Restoring Laidley Creek is part of a connected landscape network across the region, delivering better water quality, stronger biodiversity, and more resilient agricultural land for the entire catchment. The Port of Brisbane's ongoing investment here demonstrates what can be achieved in natural resource management through long-term industry commitment.

Research and monitoring by PBPL and its partners show that up to 80% of sediment deposited in the port's shipping channels at the mouth of the Brisbane River originates from degraded creek banks in the Lockyer Valley, approximately 100 kilometers upstream from the port. The fifth stage builds on a decade-long commitment by PBPL, Healthy Land & Water, landholders, and other partners. PBPL has also supported the Downfall Creek project in partnership with Brisbane City Council and the Woogaroo Creek project in partnership with Ipswich City Council.

Since 2016, PBPL has invested approximately AUD 6.4 million in catchment management projects across Southeast Queensland, supporting the restoration of over 4.3 kilometers of degraded waterways and preventing thousands of tonnes of sediment from entering rivers each year, benefiting regional waterways, the Brisbane River, and the port's shipping channels.

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