As the population of South East Queensland continues to grow, so does the demand for fresh, potable water. In response to this challenge, Seqwater has tasked Healthy Land & Water with a critical project aimed at preserving the water quality of the North Pine catchment.

		Cleaner water Containing and controlling erosion and sediment flowing downstream improves water quality.
		Flood resilience Stabilising eroding riverbanks increases their resilience during floods.
		Restoring native vegetation Initiatives such as tree planting and weed control will restore native vegetation in the designated areas and restore biodiversity.

In South East Queensland, the North Pine River waters are destined for the taps of countless homes providing fresh drinking water to a growing population.

They are vital for residents and industry providing value for drinking water, irrigation, recreation, and amenity.

As the region expands, so too does the demand for potable water. Seqwater is facing this challenge head-on by funding the North Pine River Source Protection Program run by Healthy Land & Water and the Pine Rivers Catchment Association.

This component of the project runs for five years and aims to preserve the river’s water quality to ensure it can continue supplying clean water for years to come.

The project is rooted in sustainable catchment management, focusing on the areas where the river collects its water – the catchments.

The challenge: protecting our water supply

With increasing urbanisation, the strain on our natural resources is intensifying.

The North Pine River, like many other water sources, faces threats from pollutants, erosion, and other environmental pressures.

Weeds overtake native vegetation, leading to soil erosion, while livestock grazing too close to the riverbanks further accelerates erosion and pollutes the water with waste.

Eroded riverbanks on a property in the North Pine Catchment.

These issues not only degrade the quality of the water but also increase the complexity, energy, and time required to treat it for safe consumption.

Sustainable solutions for long-term benefits

To tackle these challenges, the North Pine River Source Protection Program is implementing a series of sustainable catchment management actions. These include:

Targeted weed management: Controlling invasive species that can destabilise riverbanks and reduce water quality is important and ongoing work. Pine Rivers Catchment Association is managing this component of the program. Their management of invasive waterway weeds over the past 15 years has ensured mature native vegetation remains in many locations to stabilise the catchment's waterways.
Weeds smother native vegetation killing it and preventing it from growing.

Riparian revegetation: Planting native vegetation along riverbanks to stabilise the soil, reduce erosion, and filter out contaminants.

By removing weeds and planting native species along the riverbanks, the program aims to stabilise the soil and create a buffer that filters runoff before it reaches the water.

Livestock management: Removing livestock from sensitive riparian areas and providing alternative off-stream watering points to prevent contamination.
Grazing animals can trample the delicate riverbanks, increasing erosion and contributing to water pollution. To address this, the program is installing off-stream watering points for livestock, giving farmers a practical alternative to allowing livestock to drink directly from the river.

Erosion repair: Addressing areas of severe erosion to prevent sediment from entering the waterway. Erosion repair work is also a major focus. In areas where the riverbanks have been severely damaged, teams are using natural and engineered solutions to rebuild and strengthen them.

These actions not only improve the water quality but also reduce the burden on treatment facilities, making the process of providing safe drinking water more efficient and sustainable.

The team checked the status of the riverbanks and vegetation along the North Pine River.

Looking ahead at the future of water quality in North Pine

The success of this program will be measured through various indicators, including the extent of weed management, the amount of land revegetated, the effectiveness of erosion repairs, and improvements in land management practices. Additionally, the program includes educational initiatives to raise awareness among landholders, encouraging practices that protect and enhance the health of the catchment.

The efforts to protect the North Pine River are a crucial part of maintaining a reliable and safe water supply for South East Queensland. Through targeted actions and community engagement, we can ensure that our water resources are managed wisely and effectively for the benefit of all.

This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water, through funding from Seqwater and runs in partnership with Pine River Catchment Association.