State Government helping to protect Ipswich waterways

Streams and waterways in the Ipswich area are set to be improved as part of an $8.3 million program of river improvement works announced by the Queensland Government.

Speaking in Ipswich today, Natural Resources and Water Minister Kerry Shine said the works, subject to any necessary approvals, included flood mitigation and riparian zone management and improvement projects.

Mr Shine said the Government had endorsed the Ipswich River Trust’s proposal, which includes flood mitigation and management of riparian zones and improvement projects, valued at $3.5 million.

“As well as responding to events such as floods, Queensland’s 17 River Improvement Trusts undertake preventative and remedial works such as restoring stream banks, controlling weeds and revegetating degraded riparian areas,” Mr Shine said.

The Trust plans to continue widening the central channel along the alignment of the Bundamba Creek between Videroni Street and the Brisbane-Ipswich railway.

“They are also planning to install a flood alert gauge within the upper Woogaroo Creek and stabilise stream banks downstream of stormwater outlets on the BremerRiver at Jim Finnemore Park.”

The funds will also be spent on clearing exotic vegetation and debris and replanting riparian areas with native species to stabilise banks and enhance riverine habitat values.

This year’s total works program includes 92 individual projects to be undertaken by 14 trusts and includes 29 projects carried over from the last financial year, and will involve 14 of the trusts.

The River Improvement Trust Act 1940 was enacted after the lower BurdekinRiver area was severely damaged by cyclone-induced flooding.

It enabled the formation of the Burdekin Shire River Improvement Trust, which planned, built and maintained works to protect the banks of the river against further flooding.

In later years, a further 16 trusts were formed for river systems in North and South East Queensland that were also subjected to regular flood events.

Queensland's 17 River Improvement Trusts are:

Boonah Shire, BurdekinShireRivers, CairnsRiver, Cardwell Shire, Clifton Shire, Don River, Douglas Shire, HerbertRiver, IpswichRivers, Johnstone Shire, Jondaryan Shire, Millmerran Shire, PioneerRiver, Stanthorpe Shire, Wambo Shire, Warwick Shire and WhitsundayRivers.

Funding of River Improvement Trust works is obtained from various sources, including local, State and Federal governments.

Media contact:

Kirby Anderson 3896 3689 or 0418 197 350.