Water by Design is working to improve sustainable urban water management outcomes across Queensland and beyond.

In 2004 and 2005, the Healthy Land & Water’s Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program highlighted ‘diffuse source pollutant loads’ as a major impact on the Moreton Bay region.

The Water by Design initiative was developed to address this by supporting the implementation of sustainable urban water management.

Working across Queensland, the initiative delivers improved sustainable water management outcomes across catchments and regions affected by pollutants to protect and restore the natural water cycle.

The Water by Design initiative aims to deliver:

• Improved skills and knowledge via a comprehensive suite of best practice resources and training.
• A strengthened organisation capacity with forums for local government officers to foster collaboration, information sharing and positive development outcomes.
• Guided regulatory reforms such as flexible arrangements for stormwater management, providing cost savings and benchmark protection targets.
• Improved protection for urban waterways whilst enabling the sustainable use of waterways and water resources.
• Improved protection and restoration of urban nature and biodiversity and reduced pollution of urban waterways.
• Increased local community awareness, value, and stewardship of urban waterways and green spaces.

Healthy Land & Water is the peak environmental group for South East Queensland. For over 20 years it has been dedicated to investing in and leading initiatives to build the prosperity, liveability, and sustainability of our ‘future region’. Healthy Land & Water is focused on delivering an environment for future generations to thrive.

Working in partnership with Traditional Owners, government, private industry, utilities and the community, Healthy Land & Water delivers innovative and science-based solutions to challenges affecting the environment.

Through a combination of scientific expertise and on-ground management works, Healthy Land & Water leads and connects through science and actions that will preserve and enhance our natural assets and support resilient regions long into the future.

Healthy Land & Water’s comprehensive Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a practical guide to how the organisation will deliver meaningful changes across the business in support of reconciliation.

It is an action plan designed to help bring our reconciliation commitments to life. It had been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia as an "Innovation" plan.

The RAP is a major milestone in Healthy Land & Water’s journey of reconciliation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and bolstering our ability to support further empowerment of First Nation’s peoples across South East Queensland.

Waterways and connection to land

Throughout history, civilisations have flourished near bodies of water, harnessing their power for transportation, agriculture, and trade. Rivers, lakes, and oceans have provided nourishment, served as routes for exploration, and shaped the development of societies.

Beyond its practical uses, water holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for many communities. First Nations cultures have long recognised the sacredness of water and its vital role in traditions and ceremonies.

Water is seen as a giver of life and a symbol of purification, connecting people to their ancestral lands and fostering a sense of belonging. The health of our waterways is directly linked to the health of the land. Wetlands, estuaries, and rivers provide crucial habitats for diverse plant and animal species, contributing to biodiversity and ecological balance. They also play a vital role in regulating water cycles, filtering pollutants, and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

By fostering a deep connection to the land and water, we can cultivate a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards our natural resources. This involves promoting conservation efforts, supporting local communities that rely on water-based livelihoods, and advocating for policies that prioritise the well-being of both land and water.

Embracing the beautiful water animals such as the turtles, stingrays and the mangroves running along our rivers providing food and homes for our waterbased animals. The sky animals such as the eagle flying over the land and waters preying for food, the wallabies footprints leaves the trail of life’s journey on the sunburned land.

The intricate relationship between water and land is deeply rooted in our cultures, histories, and ecosystems.