SEQ NRM Plan alignment
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Nature
SEQ has one the richest diversities of animal and plant species in Australia, thanks to the vegetation communities
- More than 4,000 plant and 800 vertebrate species are found in the region.
- Hundreds of threatened and migratory species depend on the extent and connectivity of natural areas for their survival.
- Vegetation cover and wetlands buffer the region from climate extremes such as heatwaves and storm surges, protect water quality, filter pollutants from the air and sequester carbon.
- Forests and bushland areas are also favoured sites for culture and recreation.
The provision of all ecosystem services relies on supporting these habitats.
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Nature threats and pressures
- Transition of vegetation and wetlands to other uses
- Ongoing fragmentation of the landscape.
- Development pressure.
- Population growth.
- Illegal clearing.
- Recreational use.
- Extreme weather events such as floods and droughts.
- Weeds and pest species (including spread of pathogens).
- Poor and inappropriate fire management.
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Nature current state
There has been a decline in vegetation extent across the region since 2001.
- Current coverage of remnant vegetation is 35.5% and non-remnant woody vegetation is 17.4%.
- Projected land use change could result in further loss of remnant vegetation and the target will not be achieved.
- There has been a loss of 7,384 hectares of remnant vegetation, 54,983 hectares of woody vegetation and 1,220 hectares of natural wetlands since 2001.
- Critically, there has been significant fragmentation of the remaining vegetation tracts, reducing the effectiveness of corridors and areas that support the rich biodiversity of SEQ.
- In 2014 there were 21 tracts of bushland that were greater than 5,000 hectares. this number has since reduced to 18.
- Changing land use for urban and rural residential purposes, industry, linear infrastructure, resource extraction and agricultural activities are driving these changes.
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Nature priority actions
The following actions will play a critical role in meeting the nature conservation targets.
These actions have been identified by the South East Queensland community. These actions are updated regularly in the region's Natural Resource Management Plan, which is managed by Healthy Land & Water on behalf of the region's community.
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Locate biodiversity and conservation offsets in areas where they will provide the greatest benefit. |
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Increase the extent of protected areas in SEQ in priority locations including those for climate refugia through land acquisition and nature covenants. |
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Develop management plans and recovery plans for poorly conserved regional ecosystems in SEQ. |
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Reduce threats to key areas including the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area, Moreton Bay Ramsar Site and UNESCO designated Noosa Biosphere. |
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In conjunction with key stakeholders, develop and implement management plans for threatened species targeted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) including (but not limited to) the Australian Bittern, Eastern Bristlebird, Eastern Curlew, Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot and Ormeau Bottle Tree. |
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In conjunction with key stakeholders, develop and implement management plans for threatened species targeted under the QNCA Act including (but not limited to) priority listed species and endangered regional ecosystems. |
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Provide greater levels of protection for remaining wetlands. |
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Support and create processes for the community and various levels of government to work together to develop new and enhance current regional and local land use planning mechanisms to achieve SEQ NRM Plan targets. |
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Manage |
Implement fauna management solutions to reduce the impacts of infrastructure on habitat fragmentation (regional policy in ShapingSEQ). |
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Limit illegal clearing of bushland areas through enforcement programs. |
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Minimise the impacts of recreational activities on areas of nature conservation significance. |
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Improve the condition of areas of poorly conserved regional ecosystems and EPBC Act listed threatened ecological communities (such as Brigalow, Coastal Swamp Oak, Saltmarsh, Littoral Rainforest and Lowland Subtropical Rainforest) through targeted management actions. |
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Provide targeted invasive species management to reduce threats to UNESCO designated or World Heritage listed areas, including the Queensland components of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia and other listed properties. |
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Develop citizen science activities to genuinely engage the community in stewardship of their local species and environs. |
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Restore |
Actively undertake revegetation activities to reconnect fragmented landscapes and provide climate refugia, buffers and reduce erosion. |
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Undertake practical revegetation and pest, weed and fire management programs for wetland restoration. |
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Actively restore wildlife and biodiversity corridors through mapping, revegetation and reconnection of fragmented landscapes. |
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Empower |
Support land managers including private properties to:
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Develop a wetland and riparian restoration guide. |
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Provide education campaigns on the respectful use of greenspace areas and protecting nature. |
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Implement management and education programs for weeds, pests and fire, both fire preparedness and use of fire for ecological and environmental management. |
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Nature targets
The region has one of the richest diversities of animal and plant species in Australia.
About 4000 plant species and 800 freshwater and terrestrial vertebrate species are distributed across the wide range of vegetation types and environments of SEQ. The provision of all ecosystem services relies on supporting these habitats.
Headline target
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By 2031, the extent of regional vegetation cover, including remnant vegetation (35%) and additional non-remnant woody vegetation (22%) will be maintained or increased.
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By 2031, the 2008 extent and condition of SEQ wetlands will be maintained or increased.
Summary of asset targets
- Remnant and Woody Vegetation
The 2001 extent of regional vegetation cover – including both remnant vegetation (35%) and additional non-remnant woody vegetation (22%) – will be maintained or increased. - Vegetation Fragmentation and Connectivity
There will be no net fragmentation of larger tracts (greater than 5000 hectares), and 20% of priority smaller tracts (less than 5000 hectares) will be better connected than the 2003 baseline. - Wetlands
The 2008 extent and condition of SEQ wetlands will be maintained or increased. - Vulnerable Ecosystems
At least 4% of the original pre-clearing extents of vulnerable regional ecosystems will be represented in protective measures. - Native Species
The 2008 conservation status of native species will be maintained or improved. - Habitat for Priority Species
The 2001 extent and condition of habitat for priority taxa will be maintained or increased.
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Nature projects
Scroll down to see the huge number of projects we are partnering on to protect South East Queensland's beautiful and biodiverse environs.
Healthy Land & Water
Level 11, 240 Queen St
GPO Box 735
MEANJIN (BRISBANE)
QLD 4001
Australia
Healthy Land and Water Ltd
ABN 91 115 662 989
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