Healthy Land and Water is an organisation with over 20 years’ experience in working to improve South East Queensland’s natural environment. Though Healthy Land and Water has only existed in its current essence since 2017, the organisation has a rich history stretching back to the 1990s.
Explore the Healthy Land and Water story through our interactive timeline:
Cool Timeline
2018
HLW nominated for International RiverFoundation’s Australasia RiverPrize
2018 – Healthy Land and Water’s Mulgowie Riverbank Restoration project is nominated for the 2018 International RiverFoundation’s Australasia RiverPrize
2017
Healthy Land and Water officially launched
2017 – Healthy Land and Water officially launches in February 2017.
2016
New era for NRM in SEQ: merger announced to form Healthy Land and Water
June 2016 – Healthy Waterways Ltd and SEQ Catchments merge and the new organisation is briefly known as Healthy Waterways and Catchments. With the merger of these two not-for-profit entities, over two decades of experience, scientific expertise and a wealth of knowledge come together to form South East Queensland’s pre-eminent natural resource management organisation
2016
Federal government endorses SEQ NRM plan
December 2016 – SEQ Catchments’ South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan is endorsed by the Australian Government
2015
Report Card launches with new benefits rating
2015 – The renowned Healthy Waterways Report Card incorporates a Social and Economic Benefits Rating for the first time. The new rating is designed to analyse how social and economic values are affected by changing environmental conditions.
2015
MOU signed with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC)
2015 – The then SEQ Catchments, now Healthy Land and Water, signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) to deliver projects in partnership with a range of organisations across Quandamooka country
2014
Healthy Waterways’ monitoring program is expanded
2014 – Healthy Waterways’ Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program incorporates social and economic indicators for the first time. The purpose of the expansion is to monitor how the social and economic benefits of waterways are affected by changing environmental condition. The expansion ensures an overall Waterways Benefits rating is included in future Report Cards.
2013
River restoration projects
2013 – The South East Queensland Catchments implemented their first set of river restoration projects
2013
Caring for our Country merged
2013 – The first phase of the Caring for our Country initiative ended as it merged with the National Landcare Program
2012
Major planning changes
2012 – Major changes to environment and NRM policy and planning – End of SEQ Regional Coordination Group and CEO’s Committee for NRM SEQ: Due to the discontinuation of the NRM Plan, Queensland’s environmental planning and vegetation protection was no longer at the forefront
2011
Major flood event
2011 – The partial release of Wivenhoe Dam into the flooded areas of lower Lockyer Creek and lower Bremer River increased water levels in the Brisbane River by approximately 10 metres. This disastrous decision caused further destruction in the Lockyer and Bremer catchments and inundated many low-lying suburbs in the Brisbane City Local Government Area
2011
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) formed post Native Title Act 1993
2011 – Registered under the 1993 Act, QYAC was created to manage the recognised Native Title rights and interests of the Quandamooka (Moreton Bay) people
2010
SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium joins
2010 – SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium joins the then SEQ Catchments
2009
Water by Design award winner
2009 – Healthy Land and Water’s Water by Design initiative won the Nationally Significant Program Award presented by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects
2009
SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031 passed
2009 – The approval of the SEQ Natural Resource Management Plan indicated it would support the sustainability framework around the SEQ Regional Plan. It also meant that Healthy Waterways’ planning was considered and implemented into the strategy
2009
Banksia Water Award
2009 – Healthy Waterways Ltd wins the 2009 Banksia Water Award
2009
One of the predecessors of Healthy Land and Water, Healthy Waterways, becomes independent
2009 – Healthy Waterways Ltd becomes a registered organisation and independent from Brisbane City Council. Healthy Waterways went on to merge with SEQ Catchments in June 2016, to become Healthy Land and Water.
2008
Caring for our Country formed
2008 – The Caring for our Country initiative was formed and provided more than $2 billion to stakeholders
2005
Water by Design is established
2005 – The internationally-recognised and nationally awarded initiative was launched with the aim of working with and informing individuals and organisations about the importance of sustainable water management and design
2005
One of the predecessors to Healthy Land & Water, SEQ Catchments, formed
2005 – National Resource Management South East Queensland and SEQ Western Catchments Group merged to form SEQ Catchments. By combining the two groups, SEQ Catchments consisted of local government members and 22 catchment leaders. SEQ Catchments went on to merge with Healthy Waterways in June 2016, to become Healthy Land and Water
2003
Catchments groups established
2003 – The National Resource Management South East Queensland and SEQ Western Catchments groups were established
2001
Moreton Bay and Catchments Partnership becomes the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership
2001 – Moreton Bay and Catchments Partnership becomes the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership: The merging of these entities represented a government and community approach to understanding, planning for and managing the use of the waterways and catchments in South East Queensland
2001
First Report Card released
2001 – For the first time, Healthy Waterways produced and delivered the Healthy Waterways Report Card utilising data from the year-long Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program. The results were compiled into a report card-like document and made available to individuals, communities, government and industry groups
2001
National Action Plan for salinity and water quality
2001– The Government’s Action Plan was developed in response to QLD, VIC, WA and NSW identifying a great deal of salinity in their waterways. The plan was a stepping stone in ensuring the future management of salinity and water quality would be available and effective
2000
Strategic Guide to natural resource management developed
2000 – The release of the community-driven Natural Resource Management Strategic Guide was a pivotal moment for local governments who lead the management and conservation of South East Queensland’s natural resources with help from the Natural Heritage Trust
2000
Healthy Waterways Awards established
2000 – Healthy Waterways launched its Awards program to recognise and celebrate the achievements of groups and individuals working toward improving and protecting South East Queensland’s waterways
1998
Moreton Bay and Catchments Water Management Partnership established
1998 – This partnership, also known as Healthy Waterways, was initiated by the Policy Council of the Brisbane River Management Group in response to the objectives and scientific strategies found in the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay Wastewater Management Study program
1996
Integrated Catchment Management commenced
1996 – The Queensland Government initiative provided catchments with policy and strategic direction and a framework for long-term planning which addressed the sustainable management of land, water, vegetation and biological resources. The approach of integrating all sectors was critical to the formation of SEQ Catchments
1995
Natural Heritage Trust established
1995 – The development and implementation of the Natural Heritage Trust meant the Australian Government formally recognised urgent action was necessary to prevent further decline in the quality of Australia’s natural environment. A total of $1.5 billion had been made available between 1996-2002 due to the government’s partial sale of Telstra
1993
Brisbane River Management Group (BRMG) established
1993 – For community, government and industry leaders who wanted to see an improvement in the bay and river areas, the BRMG was formed as a platform to design and administer catchment management
1991
Quandamooka Land Council formed
1991 – The incorporation of the Quandamooka Land Council was established to represent the views of Traditional Owners and people who held historical association to Moreton Bay and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
1991
SEQ Regional Growth Management Framework
1991 – The first SEQ Regional Growth Management Framework was designed and implemented by the Queensland government. The framework played a major role in underlining the importance of regional planning
1990
Centre for Coastal Management founded
1990 – Griffith University, Centre for Coastal Management founded: The first Queensland university to formally recognise human impact on our environment
1989
Decade of Landcare announced
1989 – The rise of the National Landcare Program began in the hands of the National Farmers Federation and the Australian Conservation Foundation. For the first time, the Australian Government formally recognised the importance of environmental sustainability. In July 1989, the federal government announced its “Decade of Landcare” and contributed $320 million to fund the National Landcare Program