Bremer River Catchment May 20181 Action Plan 2018-2021 Resilient Rivers Initiative

Contents

Executive Summary...... 4

About this action plan...... 6 Scope and purpose...... 6 Intended use...... 7 Relationship with other plans...... 7 Development of the plan...... 8

The Bremer River Catchment...... 9 Rationale for regional investment in the Bremer River Catchment...... 9 Catchment Overview...... 11 Key catchment assets and threats...... 12

Catchment Action Plan...... 15 Assets and investment map...... 21 Review of progress...... 22

Attachment 1 - Previous studies and planning activities...... 23

Attachment 2 - Priority Action Investment Prospectus...... 26 4

Executive summary

The Resilient Rivers Initiative vision is “By 2045, the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area, Ebenezer and catchments of South East (SEQ) will support Citiswich industrial areas. a resilient, productive, liveable and growing region.” Water connects all of these assets as it flows through The development of the Bremer River Catchment the catchment as surface run-off, groundwater and river Action Plan has been identified as a priority as part of flows supporting aquatic ecosystems, drinking water and the Resilient Rivers Regional Strategy (2015-2025) to irrigation requirements. achieve this vision. Currently the Bremer River is the worst performing The primary focus of the Bremer River Catchment catchment in SEQ according to the 2017 Healthy Action Plan (CAP) is to address the very high risk of Land and Water report card and requires strategic, flooding, erosion, sediment and pollutant movement coordinated investment across multiple stakeholder through the catchment and its impact on downstream groups to improve its condition. creeks, the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay. The Bremer River CAP has been developed by the The catchment is approximately 2032 km2 and flows Project Team with input from stakeholders through a through Regional Council and Ipswich City series of meetings and workshops. The CAP has been Council areas. It contains regionally important assets endorsed by the relevant councils and presents a including water supply infrastructure, high value prioritised list of actions which will help to deliver the agricultural and horticultural lands, Ipswich Central goals of the Resilient Rivers Initiative. Table 1 outlines Business District (CBD), RAAF Base Amberley and high the recommended actions to be undertaken between value recreation spaces and bushlands. It will also 2018-2021. undergo significant change due to large areas of urban development in the lower catchment including the 5

Table 1: Bremer River Catchment Action Plan (CAP) 2018-2021 priority actions. On-Ground Actions Measures of Success

Deliver at least six co-ordinated rural partnership projects to improve waterway health in priority locations (see Table 3 and Figure 3). Minimum of eleven on-ground works completed Improve erosion and sediment control compliance in new developments with increased on-ground auditing of sites.

Implement collaborative weed control and revegetation in priority locations (see Table 3 and Figure 3).

Deliver at least two bed and bank stabilisation projects in priority locations (see Table 3 and Figure 3). Revegetate and re-engage at least three priority floodplain/wetlands and riparian locations in the upper catchment reaches to provide multiple benefits in priority locations (see Table 3 and Figure 3). Restore fish habitat and remove barriers to fish passage in three priority locations (see Table 3 and Figure 3).

Develop a Bremer River education and engagement program to build understanding of its history, values and flood resilience.

Research, Planning and Policy Actions Measures of Success Formalise a rural partnerships network with the potential creation of a new central coordinator role to assist in the coordinated delivery of To be determined as part on-ground works. of reporting framework Improve the current understanding of sediment and nutrient sources and transport across the Bremer Catchment.

Refine and apply regional water quality models to help prioritise waterway works and measure potential benefits. Co-ordinate floodplain management strategies and Southern Freight Rail planning to investigate the potential for catchment works to improve flood resilience of RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich CBD and other areas containing critical infrastructure and understand broader regional flood response. Investigate the impact of altered hydrology from new urban areas on bank stability, geomorphology and flooding and identify required development outcomes to address this. Determine the value/services provided by floodplains and wetlands in terms of flood mitigation, nutrient cycling, urban cooling, habitat, recreation to provide a business case for the preservation of corridors. Develop precinct or corridor scale plans to inform stormwater, flood and waterway management projects.

Identify flow requirements to improve Bremer Estuary water quality and compare this to current Moreton Plan water allocations and water usage. Co-ordinate planning of road upgrades near the RAAF Base Amberley to ensure works extend to local access roads to address flooding, traffic and fauna connectivity. 6

About this action plan

Scope and purpose QUEENSLAND The Bremer River Catchment Action Plan (CAP) 2018- The purpose of the Bremer River CAP is to: 2021 has been prepared as part of the Resilient Rivers • Succinctly present the issues and opportunities Initiative which has the following vision: across the Bremer River Catchment based on the best “By 2045, the catchments of South East of our knowledge and understanding and reflecting

Queensland will support a resilient, productive, the values of the community. Stanley liveable and growing region.” River • Identify catchment-wide actions to mitigate risks Upper Catchment This vision is documented in the Resilient Rivers within the context of the Resilient Rivers Initiative to Brisbane River Regional Strategy (2015-2025) which also has the achieve the vision and supporting four goals. Catchment following supporting goals: • Provide a single strategic framework and rationale • Keep soil on our land and out of our waterways to for coordinated investment by stakeholders based on support agricultural productivity and improve water agreed prioritised actions. Moreton Bay quality. • Align with and inform other plans including the Mid Brisbane • Help protect our region’s water security so it can Ipswich City Council Waterway Health Strategy Lockyer Catchment support the current and future population of SEQ. (currently being updated), the Brisbane River Creek Lower Brisbane-Redlands Strategic Floodplain Management Strategy (2018) and Catchment Coastal • Improve the climate resilience of our region. the Bremer River Floodplain Management Strategy Catchment • Promote partnerships with strong leadership to (under development) (see ‘Relationship with other deliver a coordinated approach to catchment Plans’ and Figure 2 for more details). Bremer River management in SEQ. Catchment

Logan-Albert Coomera Catchment & Nerang Catchments

NEW SOUTH WALES

Figure 1: Bremer River Catchment location 7

Intended use Relationship with other Plans

The Bremer River CAP has been developed as a A vast amount of work has been, and is currently succinct, high level document for use by: being, undertaken across the Bremer River Catchment. The Bremer River CAP builds on this work to present • Resilient Rivers Taskforce – presents rationale for actions which require collaborative implementation investment in the Bremer Catchment and priority and investment to achieve the Resilient Rivers Initiative actions. Vision and goals. Figure 2 presents the relationship • Project stakeholders – provides direction and basis for between the Bremer River CAP and these other plans detailed project planning and further conversations and strategies. A summary of the key documents used in between stakeholders. the development of the plan is provided in Attachment 1.

RELATED DOCUMENTS WHICH HAVE INFORMED COORDINATED BREMER RIVER PLANNING AND INVESTMENT PLANS THE BREMER RIVER CAP

Catchment Data and Understanding Queensland Government Wetland Bremer River CAP Bremer River Strategic Bremer River CAP Program ‘Walking the landscape’ (this document) Floodplain Management UPDATE Plan 2018 - 2021 An update to include Technical Reports TO BE DEVELOPED a more detailed Provides a summary 2018/19 investment prospectus Catchment condition of priority actions considering the Waterway health to meet the four goals This plan will present Bremer River Strategic Flooding (including the Ipswich / Bremer River Flood of the Resilient Rivers coordinated actions Floodplain Management Study which is currently underway). Initiative and an initial to address flood risk Plan and Resilient Rivers Asset management investment prospectus. as well as water quality, Initiative. Risk identification waterway health, ecology and emergency Related Strategies / Policies across the Bremer River Nature Conservation Catchment. Biodiversity Waterway Health Open Space and Recreation Integrated Water Strategy Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Management Plan 2018 2019 2021

Figure 2: Bremer CAP relationship with other plans. 8

Development of the Bremer River CAP

Development of the Bremer River CAP occurred during STEP 1: CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION A risk approach was taken in the development of the the period September 2017 – June 2018 and was Bremer River CAP, testing a detailed Risk Treatment Literature review and meetings with project team overseen by a project team consisting of representatives Plan which was developed for the Lower Brisbane- to build understanding of catchment condition. A key from Council of Mayors (SEQ), Ipswich City Council, Redlands Coastal Catchment Action Plan 2018-2021. input was the use of the ‘Walking the Landscape – Scenic Rim Regional Council, Seqwater, Healthy Land Bremer Catchment Story’. Project stakeholders were consulted at all stages of and Water, Queensland Urban Utilities, Queensland Plan development through a series of meetings and Government Departments of Environment and Science, STEP 2: CATCHMENT VALUES AND ISSUES workshops and the time and effort they provided is Natural Resources, Mines and Energy and Agriculture greatly appreciated. and Fisheries. Identification of assets and threats via workshop with broader stakeholder group. The Resilient Rivers Taskforce reviewed aspects of the Plan as it proceeded. The Taskforce was supported by STEP 3: RISKS AND TREATMENT ACTIONS the executive level Catchment Action Plans Working Group, which nominated the representatives for the Identification of risks to assets and preferred project team. treatments via stakeholder engagement.

Ipswich City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council STEP 4: PRIORITISATION OF ACTIONS provided funding, coordination and project management capacity on behalf of the project team. E2Designlab was Investigation of the feasibility and likelihood of contracted to provide technical assistance to the project success via workshop with broader stakeholder group. team throughout the development of the Bremer River CAP. STEP 5: PUBLISHING A broader stakeholder group was established with Finalisation the action plan document and seek representatives from the project team in addition to endorsement from collaborators. representatives from community, industry and primary producer groups that represented the diverse interests across the catchment. Image: Wordcloud summarising the key catchment aspirations identified by stakeholders at workshop one. The collaborative process was undertaken to develop the Bremer River CAP following the five step process provided by the Resilient Rivers Taskforce. 9

The Bremer River Catchment

Rationale for regional investment in the Bremer River catchment

THE BREMER RIVER CATCHMENT IS VALUE IN PROTECTING CATCHMENT ASSETS The 2017 Healthy Land and Water Report card identifies A PRIORITY FOR THE REGION AS IT: that the failing grade for the Bremer River Catchment The Bremer Catchment contains many valuable assets is largely due to the poor condition of the estuary • Is the worst performing catchment in South East which require protection including: section, especially the elevated levels for turbidity and Queensland according to the 2017 Healthy Land • Agriculture is the top industry of employment in the total nitrogen. The health of the freshwater section and Water Report Card with very poor riparian Scenic Rim, generating 1885 local jobs in 2015/16, is recognised as fair, but with a very poor riparian cover and estuarine water quality. and valued at $187 million in 2010/111. This accounts condition along the whole waterway. • Provides water supply for numerous towns and for around 16% of the total value of agriculture in Even though the condition of the freshwater sections irrigation for horticultural and agricultural lands. SEQ which was estimated to be more than $1.16 are currently scoring fair, previous research by Jon billion2. A decline of 2% in primary production would • Is located across two local government areas. Olley7 has estimated high volumes of sediments are cost the sector almost half a billion dollars over the generated by gully erosion in these upper reaches • Contains high value agricultural and horticultural next 20 years3. and therefore works to address this (e.g. channel land, with a large area of irrigated agriculture • The Gross Regional Product was stabilisation and riparian revegetation) can improve in the Fassifern Valley. $8.96 billion in 2015/16 and the majority of local the condition of downstream environments, such as • Contains high ecological and conservation employment is within the manufacturing industry4. the Bremer Estuary. These improvements will require values, with large areas of bushland especially New major industrial areas are also planned in a coordinated effort across the catchment to improve in Scenic Rim. Ebenezer, Swanbank and Citiswich. current practices. • Contains economically and socially significant • The Bremer River is valued and used by the NEED FOR COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION including the City of Ipswich where flooding is a community for walking, running, cycling, picnics, concern in some locations. fishing and generally enjoying nature5. The management and use of assets within the Bremer River Catchment is complicated due to the number • Contains the RAAF Base Amberley which is the • The contribution of the RAAF Base Amberley to of stakeholders and requires coordination and Australian Air Force’s largest base. the Greater Brisbane Economy was estimated to be collaboration. $583 million in 2015/16 with potential to grow to • Is a major contributor of flows and pollutants $1.2 billion by 2019-22. This regional activity would The key organisations involved are: to the Lower Brisbane River and Moreton Bay be lost without the Base’s presence and operations6. environments. In-stream environments WHOLE OF CATCHMENT APPROACH REQUIRED The Queensland Government sets Water Quality Water management is a catchment issue as freshwater Objectives and Environmental Values for waterways and flows generated in the upper catchment flow down to regulate in-stream works and Environmentally Relevant the estuary. The Bremer Estuary is also influenced by Activities (such as Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) the tidal connections with the Brisbane River. which may impact on water quality and fish passage. 10

Land management Other key infrastructure Land use planning and approvals of new development New roads and rail corridors are delivered by a 1 https://statistics.qgso.qld.gov.au/qld-regional-profiles 2 ShapingSEQ - Regional Plan 2017 and pollution of waters on private lands is mainly combination of federal, state and local governments. 3 The South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan – controlled by local governments. State Government Wastewater infrastructure is owned and operated by Update 2014 Report largely administers control over the removal of Queensland Urban Utilities. Stormwater networks 4 https://economy.id.com.au/ipswich/ vegetation, extraction of surface and ground waters and are managed by local governments. Open space and 5 http://hlw.org.au/reportcard/#/zone/1259/2017/condition 6 Economic Contribution of RAAF Base Amberley, A report for the weed control. conservation zones are owned and managed by both Department of Defence - 17 March 2017, KPMG state and local governments. 7 Healthy Country Science & Planning Final Report Prepared for Water supply Healthy Waterways by Olwyn Crimp, 2011 Other catchment stakeholders Water supply and irrigation water is administered by the state government with drinking water, recycled water There has been a lot of work undertaken across the and irrigation scheme water managed by Seqwater. Bremer River Catchment by landholders, community, Owners of private land adjacent to waterways have Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups, river a statutory riparian right to take water for stock or improvement trusts and industry representative groups domestic purposes. to improve waterway health including the adoption of on-ground Best Management Practices (BMPs), weed management, riparian restoration and waterway stabilisation. 11

Catchment overview

The Bremer River Catchment is approximately 2032 km2 channel modifications which have led to issues such and flows 82 km through Scenic Rim Regional Council as loss of biodiversity and habitat, erosion, salinity and Ipswich City Council areas to its confluence with outbreaks, weed encroachment and declining water the Brisbane River at Riverview. The tidal limit of the quality. The majority of the catchment has been Bremer River is approximately 19 km upstream of the cleared of vegetation, however areas of threatened confluence. The major tributaries of the Bremer River vegetation communities (such as the endangered include Warrill Creek, Western Creek, Franklin Vale Swamp Tea-tree Forest) still exist. The Bremer River Creek, Reynolds Creek, Purga Creek and Bundamba Catchment contains dispersive soils which are highly Creek. vulnerable to erosion. Hillslope and gully erosion are key issues for the catchment and generate significant The catchment supports a diverse range of land uses volumes of sediment. Other channel modifications including grazing, crop production, bushland, industry, have also occurred across the catchment including rural residential, urban development and commerce. The straightening and inclusion of levees and weirs as well lower parts of the catchment are mostly urbanised while as the conversion of lower order streams into piped the upper parts of the catchment are predominantly stormwater networks in urban areas. rural. The engagement of floodplains is a natural process The steep slopes of the catchment contain areas of which has many benefits. However, flooding in parts of highly permeable basalt and the lower parts contain the Bremer River Catchment also creates a risk for the large areas of alluvium which readily store and transmit community in low lying areas and puts some high value groundwater. infrastructure such as the Ipswich CBD and RAAF Base The catchment has been severely impacted by past Amberley at risk. land practices including vegetation removal and 12

Key catchment assets and threats

The catchment includes a number of key natural and built assets which were identified as being of regional significance and which are at threat in the context of the four goals of the Resilient Rivers Regional Strategy. A summary of these assets and threats are provided below.

Table 2: Bremer River Catchment Assets and Threats Assets Services provided Related RRI Goals Threats to asset Source of threat Natural assets Tourism Climate resilience Extreme weather Flood flows and inundation damaging built parkland (drought and flood) infrastructure, creating public health and safety risks and Parklands and recreation (especially Recreation Keeping soil on land increasing risk of bed and bank erosion. waterside parks and linear parks) impacts to natural and Habitat built assets Droughts and floods impacting fauna and habitat quality Recreational fisheries Biodiversity Bed and bank erosion through loss of vegetation cover, fragmentation, declining Waterways (upper Bremer River, resulting in soil water quality, sedimentation, erosion and scour, altering Connectivity Bremer Estuary) loss and impacting hydrology. Amenity Floodplains and wetlands ecosystems services Soil loss from bed and bank erosion resulting from loss of Ecosystem services and habitats vegetation cover and increased flow velocities. Terrestrial ecosystems (riparian and including nutrient native remnant vegetation) Waterways vulnerable to disturbance due to historic cycling supporting degradation (erosion, removal of vegetation, altered flows Significant and protected fauna clean air and water etc). Receiving aquatic environments (Brisbane River and Moreton Bay)

Productive lands Jobs Keeping soil on land Loss of high value Hillslope and gully erosion resulting in loss of highly soil and land due to productive soils and land can be caused by overstocking or Grazing land and soils Local food production Climate resilience hillslope and gully drought which reduces pasture cover, removal of vegetation, Horticultural land and soils erosion lack of crop cover. Intensive agriculture (feedlots, dairy, Flood damage to Flood flows and inundation resulting in loss of soil, fences, piggeries) infrastructure pumps and other infrastructure. Agroforestry (native hardwood Drought resulting in lack of water availability, loss of crops forestry and planted forestry) and pasture cover which impacts productivity and increases risk of soil loss. 13

Assets Services provided Related RRI Goals Threats to asset Source of threat Water supply and infrastructure Drinking water for Water security Water availability and Pathogens, sediment, hazardous chemicals, nutrients and local towns poor water quality salinity impacting water quality and treatment processes. Drinking water supply (Lake Climate resilience impact on water Moogerah, Reynolds Creek) Water for domestic Climate variability, reduced catchment runoff, over security Water treatment plants stock watering and extraction impacting water availability. irrigation Extreme weather Accessibility to water supplies impacted by riparian weeds Farm dams events (drought Water for industry or bank erosion. and flood) impact Warrill Valley Water Supply Scheme and indirect potable on water supply Flood inundation impacting treatment processes and (future) Other surface water extraction availability and water damaging assets. Groundwater quality and damage to infrastructure Recycled water supply (Bundamba Advanced water treatment plant)

Wastewater infrastructure Wastewater treatment Climate resilience Flood damage to Flood inundation impacting treatment processes and damaging assets. Sewerage treatment plants / pump and disposal infrastructure stations

Stormwater and associated Stormwater Climate resilience Flood damage to Flood risk especially in older areas (e.g. CBD) where infrastructure conveyance infrastructure infrastructure is under capacity. Levees can also shift flood Stormwater network infrastructure Stormwater treatment risks to other areas. Levees Urban cooling Impact on green stormwater assets from sediment due to poor erosion and sediment control and poor design which Flood mitigation can impact urban cooling potential.

Transport and critical Connectivity to Climate resilience Disconnection of Flood inundation and damage to critical transport networks Infrastructure critical services critical access routes preventing access to critical services and impacting RAAF and flood damage to Base Amberley operations. Key access rail, roads, bridges and rail Trade/commerce infrastructure RAAF Base Amberley Transport Food security and national security 14

Assets Services provided Related RRI Goals Threats to asset Source of threat Economic hubs Jobs Keeping soil on land Soil loss associated Soil loss associated with new developments (especially with new development during construction and building phases). Ipswich CBD Tourism Climate resilience Extreme weather Flood flows and inundation damaging infrastructure, Urban growth areas (Ripley Valley Trade impacting accessibility and creating public health and safety Priority Development Area, other events (drought and Commerce risks. future urban areas) flood) impacts to infrastructure and Unmitigated hydrology change and associated gully erosion Existing and new business and human health impacting infrastructure and public health and safety industrial areas (Citiswich Industrial (especially in areas with highly erodible soils). Park, Ebenzer Regional Industrial Area) Extreme heat events resulting in human health impacts. Cultural and Social assets Cultural and spiritual Climate resilience Flood damage to Flood flows and inundation resulting in loss or damage to values and well-being assets cultural heritage assets. Indigenous and European heritage Partnerships 15

Catchment Action Plan

The following have been identified as high priority actions to be undertaken across the Bremer River Catchment during this first catchment action plan cycle (2018-2021). Estimated budget and timeframes are detailed in the Priority Action Investment Prospectus (Attachment 2).

Table 3: Catchment Action Plan – actions, implementation pathways, costs, benefits, locations, timeframes and stakeholders.

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe On-Ground Actions

1 Deliver at least Water security – Continuation of working with rural landholders High Shared resources, and 2018 - BRN six co-ordinated water availability to deliver on-farm projects such as waterway knowledge and Reynolds Creek ongoing DAF rural partnership and water quality stabilisation, fencing, off-stream watering points, coordinated delivery of catchments (to projects to weed control and revegetation, contour banks, strip planned works protect drinking Seqwater Climate resilience improve waterway tillage, precision technologies and use of treatment water supply) health in priority – resilience during systems such as high efficiency sediment basins, Growcom flood events Franklin Vale and locations bioreactors and constructed wetlands. Potential to Agforce Western Creek (to Keeping soil on land use existing Best Management Practice benchmarking address channel QFF – hillslope, gully, bed to inform and monitor on-ground works. instabilities) and bank erosion Identification of alternative funding mechanisms BCA Upper Bremer Partnerships – should also be investigated as part of this action. River (Rosevale) (to Landcare engaged community This work should be undertaken as part of the rural continue previous ICC / SRRC partnerships network (see Action #8). Healthy Country work) Landcare DES / DNRME HLW

2 Improve Keeping soil on Regionally consistent approach and political support Low Reduced erosion and New development 2018 - ICC / SRRC erosion and land – bed and bank for erosion and sediment control through: sediment entering areas such as Ripley ongoing DES / EDQ sediment control erosion waterways and Valley • Capacity building compliance in new improved water health HLW Partnerships – developments • Compliance with increased engaged community MBA on-ground HIA auditing of sites 16

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe

3 Implement Water security – Collaborative approach to the removal of weeds in High Water quality Moogerah Dam and 2018 - 2020 SRRIT / IRIT collaborative water quality combination with revegetation of native plants along improvement, bed Reynolds Creek SRRC weed control and the riparian corridor. and bank stability and catchments Keeping soil on revegetation in biodiversity Seqwater priority locations land – bed and bank Additional priority erosion Climate locations may also BRN resilience – resilience be identified as an BCA during flood events outcome of Actions #9/10 Landcare Partnerships – engaged community Growcom Agforce QFF

4 Deliver at least Keeping soil on Undertake bed and bank stability works in priority High Reduced sediment Ironpot Creek and 2019 - 2021 ICC two bed and bank land – bed and bank locations. transport and erosion Bundamba Creek DES stabilisation erosion Climate risk to infrastructure Additional priority projects in resilience – resilience and improved waterway locations may also priority locations during flood events health be identified as an outcome of Actions #9/10

5 Revegetate and Keeping soil on Revegetation of upper catchment floodplain and High Water quality Priority locations 2019 - 2021 SRRC / ICC re-engage at least land – bed and bank tributaries to align with future flood risk management improvement, flood to be determined in QRA three priority erosion plans and planned habitat corridors to provide mitigation, increased Bremer Floodplain floodplain/ multiple benefits (slow flows, provide habitat, groundwater recharge Management BRN Climate resilience – wetlands and nutrient and sediment cycling and groundwater and improved Strategy. improved flooding BCA riparian locations recharge). Potential to use environmental offsets or biodiversity and catchment Additional priority in the upper Australian Carbon Credit Units as a delivery/ funding Landcare cooling locations may also catchment mechanism. reaches to provide be identified as an DAF / DES / multiple benefits outcome of Actions DNRME in priority #9/10 locations

6 Restore fish Climate resilience Removal of fish barriers and restoration of fish Med / Improved fish Warrill Creek 2019 - 2021 ICC/SRRC habitat and – resilience during passage and habitats at three priority locations. Fish High connectivity and Bremer River DAF remove barriers drought and flood barrier removal sites have been identified within resilience which to fish passage events Greater Brisbane Fish Barrier prioritisation study supports healthy Bundamba Creek in three priority (2018). Fish habitats and refugia also need to be recreation fisheries and locations considered in waterway improvement works. ecotourism 17

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe

7 Develop a Bremer Climate resilience Creation of a community education and engagement Low Improved flood Catchment wide 2019 - 2021 ICC / SRRC River education – resilience during program to improve understanding of the resilience, community with a focus on Traditional and engagement flood events Bremer River history, its values and its flooding understanding and communities which owners program to build characteristics to help build appreciation for the River appreciation of the experience flooding Partnerships – understanding and flood resilience. Bremer River BRN of its history, engaged community values and flood QRA resilience

Research, planning and policy actions

8 Formalise rural Partnerships – 1. Develop a network of partners to communicate Low Communication and Moogerah Dam and 2018 - BRN partnerships ensure coordination current activities and programs. potential shared Reynolds Creek ongoing Seqwater network with the of resources funding of planned on- catchments (to potential creation ground actions between protect drinking ICC/SRRC of a new central active stakeholders water supply) coordinator role DAF 2. Undertake a scoping exercise to see what other to assist in the Low Identification of cost Franklin Vale and 2019 Growcom coordinated programs exist and what has been successful in terms effective designated Western Creek (to delivery of on- of cost and long term change. program to support address channel Agforce coordinated delivered instabilities) ground works QFF of on-ground works BCA 3. Establish a dedicated coordinator of works program Med / Designated resource Upper Bremer 2019 - based on outcomes of scoping exercise. High responsible for (Rosevale) (to ongoing Landcare planning of coordinated continue previous DES on-ground actions, Healthy Country providing rural work) HLW landholders with a central point of contact.

9 Improve Keeping soil on land 1. Collate existing data and identify data gaps and Low Improved understand Warrill catchment 2018 ICC / SRRC the current – hillslope, gully, bed best options for addressing gaps. of priority erosion HLW understanding and bank erosion hotspots, bed and bank of sediment and 2. Undertake project to address gaps (identified in Med stabilisation 2019 - 2020 ARI nutrient sources step 1) and identify priority locations to manage (TBD) and transport sediment (e.g. geomorphic assessment / sediment Seqwater across the Bremer tracking / transect project). Catchment 18

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe

10 Refine and apply Keeping soil on land Refine the Healthy Land and Water regional water Med Tool to test scenarios Focus on model 2018 - ICC / SRRC regional water – hillslope, gully, bed quality model to provide improved understanding of to identify priority being able to ongoing HLW quality models and bank erosion freshwater vs estuary environments (potential sub locations for on-ground separate freshwater to help prioritise catchment breakdown) to inform prioritisation and works, bed and bank and estuarine areas Seqwater Climate resilience waterway works selection of on-ground works. stabilisation and measure – resilience during DES potential benefits flood events

11 Co-ordinate Climate resilience – Coordination between Southern Freight Rail planning Low Coordination of Focus on design of 2018 Qld Gov floodplain flood management (current), Brisbane River floodplain management infrastructure design Southern Freight QRA management strategy (being finalised) and Bremer River floodplain to provide multiple Rail to provide flood strategies and management strategy (to be done 2018) to ensure benefits, alignment improvements for ICC / SRRC Southern Freight opportunities for infrastructure to deliver catchment of investment in downstream areas ARTC Rail planning to flood improvements are included in planning and flood studies and investigate the design phases. infrastructure planning, RAAF Base potential for flood mitigation for Amberley catchment works critical infrastructure to improve flood Seqwater resilience of RAAF Base Amberley, Ipswich CBD and other critical infrastructure and understand broader regional flood response

12 Investigate the Keeping soil on Undertake a study to determine if and how Bremer Med Improved Focus on areas 2019 - 2020 ICC impact of altered land – bed and bank waterways are impacted by altered hydrology from understanding and with newly planned EDQ hydrology from erosion new urban areas (e.g. bank stability, geomorphology communication of development (e.g. new urban areas and flooding). Determine appropriate development need to provide North Ipswich / Stormwater Climate resilience – on bank stability, responses to address these impacts (e.g. waterway flow management open space planning QLD improved flooding geomorphology stability objectives, inclusion of rainwater tanks or in developments precinct) or areas and city cooling HLW and flooding and green infrastructure). which can reduced with existing issues identify required bed and bank erosion (e.g. Ipswich CBD DES development and provide flood (retrofit) outcomes to mitigation, urban DSDMIP address this cooling, improved amenity, green links and multiple use public open spaces 19

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe

13 Determine the value/ Keeping soil on land Undertake a study which can identify the services Med Improved Focus in new 2019 ICC / SRRC services provided – sediment capture provided by floodplains and wetlands and assign understanding and development DES by floodplains and the environmental, social and economic benefits communication of need areas and upper Climate resilience – wetlands in terms provided by floodplains and wetlands to help justify to protect wetlands catchment areas HLW improved flooding of flood mitigation, their preservation. Potential for work to inform new and floodplains, and catchment nutrient cycling, Planning Scheme. protection of high value cooling urban cooling, ecosystems habitat, recreation to provide the business case for the preservation of corridors.

14 Develop precinct Keeping soil on 1. Development of precinct integrated water Med Holistic approach to Western growth 2019 - 2020 ICC or corridor scale land – bed and bank management plan along the Western growth corridor waterway stormwater corridor (new Qld Gov plans to inform erosion to identify suitable regional solutions for waterway, and flood management infrastructure) (DSDMIP, stormwater, flood stormwater and/or flood management. to provide multiple Climate resilience Ipswich CBD EDQ, DES) and waterway benefits and provide – improved flood (address existing management direction to developers projects. management flood issues through 2. Proposed discussions to understand how Low Adequate resources upgrades) 2020 infrastructure charging could support stormwater allocated to planning in the future. enable community infrastructure and stormwater upgrades to both be delivered.

15 Identify flow Water security – Study to determine the flow required to improve the Med Improved Warrill catchment 2020 ICC / SRRC requirements to water availability water quality of the Bremer Estuary and compare understanding of flow Seqwater improve Bremer this to the current water allocations and water usage requirements and Estuary water across the Moreton Water Resource Plan area. current water use, DNRME / quality and improved estuarine DES compare this to condition current Moreton HLW Plan water DAF allocations and water usage QFF DAF Growcom Agforce 20

Action Actions / Risk/s addressed Possible implementation pathway / Approx Costs Benefits Priority locations Stakeholders # Treatments (RRI focused) staging timeframe

16 Co-ordinate Climate resilience – Stakeholder involvement in planning and design or Low Coordination of Focus on design Unknown Qld Gov planning of road flood management upgrades (Ipswich bypass) infrastructure design of Western (DTMR) upgrades near to ensure local access roads flooding and traffic to provide multiple Ipswich Bypass QRA the RAAF Base implications are considered as well as ensure fish benefits, flood and Cunningham Amberley to passage / terrestrial underpass. mitigation for critical Highway upgrades ICC ensure works infrastructure to consider RAAF Base extend to local local RAAF base Amberley access roads to Amberley access address flooding, roads traffic and fauna connectivity

STAKEHOLDER ACRONYM LIST DAF - Department of Agriculture and Fisheries HLW - Healthy Land and Water IRIT - Ipswich Rivers Improvement Trust DES - Department of Environment and Science ICC – Ipswich City Council QRA - Queensland Reconstruction Authority DNRME - Department of Natural Resources, Mines and SRRC – Scenic Rim Regional Council ARTC - Australian Rail Track Corporation Energy QFF – Queensland Farmers Federation MBA – Master Builders Queensland DSDMIP – Department of State Development, BRN – Bremer River Network HIA – Housing Industry Association (QLD) Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning BCA – Bremer Catchment Association ARI – Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University EDQ – Economic Development Queensland (Part of DSDMIP) SRRIT - Scenic Rim Rivers Improvement Trust 21

Ironpot Creek Citiswitch Western Assets and investment map Growth Area Figure 3 provides a spatial representation of key assets of the catchment and priority investment areas. This visual guide complements the actions in Table 3. Calvert Swanbank Western Creek Ebenezer

Ripley Priority Development Area

Bundamba Creek

Franklin Vale Creek

Upper Bremer River

Upper Warrill River

Reynolds Creek

Sandy Creek Moogerah Dam Water Treatment Plants Investment areas: Coulson Creek Sewerage Treatment Facilities Priority waterways for investments

Warrill Valley Water Supply Priority fish barriers Scheme Ipswich CBD Railway network Urban growth areas Major water course Reynolds Creek Southern Freight Rail Corridor Major Roads Western Ipswich Bypass RAAF Base Amberley Local council boundaries Figure 3: Bremer River Endangered vegetation Catchment key assets Of concern vegetation and on-ground priority Reservoirs action locations 22

Review of progress

EMERGING PLANS AND STRATEGIES MONITORING, REPORTING AND EVALUATION There are a number of key projects which are currently Progress on action implementation will be monitored underway which will identify actions which should be through the reporting framework to be established considered in the future review of the Bremer River CAP under the Resilient Rivers Initiative, including an including: evaluation to be conducted in 2019. The reporting framework will incorporate the Healthy Land and Water • The Draft Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Report Card (water quality) and other key information Management Plan which has recently been sets. released, provides a number of flood mitigation recommendations relevant to this catchment area to There are a number of priority actions presented in this protect regionally important assets. CAP which can be used to further inform actions and monitor progress (e.g. sediment tracking and use of • Bremer River Flood Model is currently being models). A review of the CAP would be beneficial at the developed for the whole catchment which will provide completion of these priority actions. an improved understanding of flood extent and risk. This CAP and supporting documents is due to be • The Bremer River Strategic Floodplain Management updated by June 2021 with relevant information that Plan will commence preparation in 2018 and is likely arises. to identify a range of flood mitigation and waterway health improvement actions to protect assets in the catchment. 23

Attachment 1 - Previous studies and planning activities

Document title Prepared by Description

SEQ Regional Plan 2017 (Shaping Department of Sets out the strategic framework for the environmentally sustainable management of regional growth, including population SEQ) Infrastructure, Local change and economic development. The Plan operates in conjunction with other statutory planning tools, including state Government and Planning, planning policies, local government planning schemes, regulatory requirements and development assessment processes. 2017

Local Government Planning Ipswich City Council and Present Council’s future plan and provides detailed direction on land use, development, infrastructure and protection of assets Scheme Policies Scenic Rim Regional in the local Council area. Council

Waterway Health Strategy Ipswich City Council Presents the vision for Ipswich waterways, summarises catchment condition and identifies actions to improve waterway health. (update currently being undertaken)

Integrated Water Strategy Ipswich City Council, 2015 Long-term planning document for all elements of the water cycle.

Nature Conservation Strategy Ipswich City Council, 2015 Strategic vision and objectives supported by key actions for achieving nature conservation outcomes across Ipswich.

Biodiversity Strategy Scenic Rim Regional Strategic vision, objectives, strategies and actions to protect and enhance Scenic Rim’s biodiversity. Council,

SEQ NRM Plan Update SEQ Catchments, 2016 Regional assessment and mapping of natural asset condition, identification of risks and target setting.

Walking the landscape – Bremer Department of Systematic and transparent synthesis process that integrates existing data with expert knowledge to present a common and Catchment Story Environment and Heritage robust whole-of-landscape understanding of environmental processes. Protection, Queensland Government

Healthy Waterways and Healthy Land and Water, Scores for water quality, habitat, riparian condition and community benefits presented for monitored locations along waterways Catchments Report Card 2016 in the Bremer River catchment. Actions are also provided to address catchment pressures.

Healthy Country – Biophysical SEQ Catchments, 2009 Review of the biophysical characteristics of the Lockyer, Bremer and Logan-Albert Catchments. characteristics: Lockyer, Bremer and Albert-Logan Catchments

Healthy Country Program 2007- SEQ Catchments, 2011 Reports presenting the development and trial of efficient and cost-effective participatory community and science-based 2011 Report approaches to reducing exports of rural diffuse sources of sediment and nutrients and to improving waterway health through stabilizing and rehabilitating degraded waterways and facilitating land stewardship. Upper Bremer was one of the focus areas. 24

Document title Prepared by Description

Healthy Country Program 2012- SEQ Catchments, 2012 Presents summary of actions undertaken in the Upper Warrill area to demonstrate current best management practices. 2015 – Implementation and Monitoring of Targeted Works in the Upper Warrill

The Greater Brisbane Urban Fish Catchment Solutions, 2018 Presents the top 50 priority ranked fish barriers. Barrier prioritisation study

Bremer River and Warrill Creek Catchment Solutions, 2018 Presents outcomes of assessment of barriers upstream of Berry’s Weir and recommendations to further improve fish passage in Fish Barrier Assessment Report the Bremer River Catchment.

Bremer River Catchment WBM for Bremer Presents a series of actions required to help maintain and improve Bremer River environmental values at a sub catchment level. Management Strategy – Stage 2 Catchment Association, 1999

Bremer River Water Quality WBM for Healthy Tested various management strategies with respect to improvement of ambient water quality in the Bremer River. Improvement Plan – Receiving Waterways, 2006 Water Quality Modelling

Bremer River Water Quality Bremer Catchment Presents data from BCA water quality monitoring program. Monitoring Program Report Association, 2005

Assessing values and condition of Alluvium, 2014 Presents condition of all Ipswich waterways based on a synthesis of existing data and waterway condition assessment. waterways in Ipswich City Council Local Government Area

Ipswich City Council Alluvium, 2014 Presents geomorphic condition of all Ipswich waterways based on high level desktop and field-based assessment. geomorphology and vegetation assessment of waterways

Soils of Ipswich Field Guide Ipswich City Council, Identifies soils at risk of erosion so that appropriate ESC measures can be planned and implemented when undertaking activities AECOM in ICC.

Ipswich City Council Stormwater Ipswich City Council, BMT Developed to assist Council determine the most appropriate and cost-effective use of ‘Voluntary Water Quality Offset payments’ quality Offsets Implementation WBM 2015 accepted by Council as an alternative to on-site compliance with load-based stormwater quality pollutant load reduction Plan 2015 objectives listed in Council’s planning scheme, in response to the SPP Water Quality State Interest.

Creek Corridor Plans for Ipswich City Council (2015 Holistic planning of creek corridor identifying condition, pressures and identification of actions. Bundamba Creek, Ironpot Creek –2017) and Deebing Creek

Upper Black Snake Creek Ipswich City Council, 2014 Investment strategy for the improvement of the Upper Black Snake Creek based on a total water cycle management approach. Improvement Plan 25

Document title Prepared by Description

Bremer River Estuary and CRC for Coastal Zone, Understanding pollutant sources to the Bremer River and management strategies required to improve the health of the river. Catchment Audit (Dry-Weather) Estuary and Waterway Technical Report Management, 2003

Riparian Condition Assessment Ipswich Rivers Outcomes of riparian environmental weed survey and recommended weed control strategies. of the Waterways of Ipswich Improvement Trust 2009

Natural Asset Management Plan Seqwater 2012 Natural asset management plan for water supply catchments. - Moogerah Dam and Reynolds Creek

Seqwater Watershed, In-Storage Seqwater 2011/2012 Risk assessment of water supply catchments. and In-River Risk Assessment and Priority Area Plan for Water Quality Southern Region – Lake Moogerah and Reynolds Creek

Protecting Moreton Bay: How Olley et al Summary of studies generating sediment and nutrient budgets and potential actions. can we reduce sediment and nutrients loads by 50�

The Provenance of Sediment in Laceby, Patrick Thesis on the Healthy Land and Country project and presents sediment and nutrient properties for three focal areas including Three Rural Catchments in SEQ Upper Bremer 26

Attachment 2 – Priority Action Investment Prospectus

This attachment presents a high level description of the context and proposed pathways for the actions within the Bremer River Catchment Action Plan, including estimated budgets and timeframes. Note that some actions have been combined in this section where they are linked.

• Seqwater will be investing in multiple projects in the of cost and long term change. Rural Partnerships – rural partner water supply catchment (within 5km of the intakes at 3. Development of designated central coordination Boonah/Kalbar and Moogerah Dam) network and coordinated role based on outcomes of scoping exercise – e.g. • HLW has on-ground works in the Upper Warrill Creek Bremer River Network could undertake this role with on-ground works (Healthy Country Project funded by DES) coordinated funding through the Bremer River Fund. 2018-ongoing • Works being undertaken by community-led At least six projects should be delivered on-ground and Action #8 Rural partnerships network – Informal environment groups including the BCA, West Moreton works should be targeted in the following locations: Landcare Group, Boonah and District Landcare and meetings (in-kind time only) and/or development of • Moogerah Dam and Reynolds Creek catchments (to various un-incorporated bushcare groups dedicated coordination role (BRN could provide this but protect drinking water supply) may require additional time in this part-time position to • The Bremer River Network is an umbrella • Franklin Vale and Western Creek (to address channel resource this role) organisation that currently supports, and plan to instabilities) Action #1 Co-ordinated on-ground works – Delivery of support, any groups who have an interest in the six projects in priority locations ($75k-$100k estimated health of the Bremer River via funds from the Bremer • Upper Bremer River (Rosevale) (to continue the work per project but will depend on scope of project) River Fund. undertaken by Healthy Country). The predominant land uses across the Bremer There is a strong opportunity for these works to be There is potential to use existing BMP benchmarking Catchment area are private rural lands and therefore coordinated, allowing resources, knowledge and existing tools to inform and monitor the on-ground works. The catchment improvement works will need to deliver on relationships to be shared. A central coordinator role development of case studies could also be useful as these lands to improve the health and resilience of the will also present rural landholders with a point of communication products to be used within extension Bremer River. contact and clarity on actions being undertaken across programs. the catchment. There are a number of organisations conducting on- ground works with rural landholders in the Bremer The following steps are recommended to assist in Catchment including: continued delivery of coordinated on-ground works in the Bremer River Catchment: • ICC will be working with landholders in the Franklin Vale catchment 1. Informal coordination of interested stakeholders – e.g. bi-monthly meetings could be organised where • Growcom is currently supporting the use of the Hort stakeholders come together to discuss planned works 360 Program in the Bremer and identify potential for collaboration. • DAF is working on a number of projects which 2. Undertake a scoping exercise to see what other will demonstrate a range of precision agricultural programs exist and what has been successful in terms technologies 27

New research and models to Card scoring. At the moment this is done on a whole Seqwater is currently planning to undertake Cats Claw of catchment scale. It is proposed that this model is management along Reynolds Creek and in the tributaries prioritise works - Sediment refined to allow for assessment of freshwater vs estuary discharging into the Moogerah Dam. There is an environments as well as the input from critical sub opportunity to combine these works with the Scenic Rim tracking and waterway health catchments such as Deebing Creek and Bundamba Rivers Improvement Trust program and also revegetation modelling to prioritise works and Creek. This level of detail will assist in the identification projects by the local Council and local catchment groups of priority on-ground works and allow for analysis and to combine native revegetation with weed management. reporting of progress, eg. via the Healthy Waterways monitor progress The Ipswich Rivers Improvement Trust is also about to Report Card, at a finer scale. This should build on commence weed control works in the Franklin Vale Creek 2018 - ongoing previous work already undertaken on the catchment and catchment. There is potential for this to be coordinated it is also recommended that this project is promoted Action #9 Address current information gaps to improve with Ipswich City Council’s Franklin Vale Initiative. understanding of sediment sources and transport across the stakeholders in the Bremer for broader use through the Bremer Catchment (Understand data gaps and co-ordination. Revegetation works should aim to re-establish native $25k, sediment tracking study budget to be determined) species which can stabilise banks and reflect the local Regional Ecosystems. It is understood that the Queensland Action #10 Refinement and use of HLW model to Bed and bank stabilisation projects Government are preparing a Riparian Guideline which may help prioritise waterway works and measure potential be able to inform these works in the future. benefits (estimated $50k to refine model) Action #4 Stabilise two priority waterway reaches Outcomes of Actions #9/10 can also be used to inform It is proposed that a two stage approach is undertaken 2019-2021 (3 years), $200-$500k estimated priority locations for riparian revegetation based on to provide an updated understanding of the sediment Channel stabilisation has already been identified as erosion and sediment transport risk. sources and movement in the Bremer Catchment (with a a priority action for a number of Ipswich waterways focus on the Warrill Creek Catchment): including Iron Pot Creek and Bundamba Creek. This Action #5 Upper catchment floodplain and riparian rehabilitation 1. Ensure the new work builds on previous work by prioritisation is based on outcomes from a previous waterway condition assessment. Outcomes of Actions collating existing information to identify data gaps 2019-2021 (3 years), $300k estimated and then assess best options for addressing gaps #9/10 can also be used to inform priority locations based on erosion and sediment transport risk. The Brisbane River Floodplain Management Strategy 2. Address information gaps by undertaking sediment highlighted the importance of revegetating upper catchment This program of works aims to rehabilitate at least tracking or similar project (e.g. a geomorphic floodplains and riparian zones to provide catchment flood two priority waterway reaches to reduce bed and bank assessment of sediment risk from riparian areas mitigation. The Bremer River will likely investigate this erosion. The work will include scoping, design and based on classification of stream banks could inform further to identify priority locations for replanting. This delivery of channel stabilisation works which address sediment tracking assessments). investigation is likely to include the assessment of the the existing bed and bank erosion and re-establish in-stream impact existing levees have on floodplain engagement. The outcomes of the geomorphic assessment / sediment habitats. Location of works should also align with habitat corridors tracking project could be used to inform a broader and look for opportunities to recreate threatened vegetation catchment model which addresses other elements of Floodplain and riparian communities such as Blue Gum on alluvial plains and waterway health such as water quality, habitat and Melaleuca Irbyana where possible to provide multiple connectivity which can be used to identify priority revegetation benefits. locations and track progress. Action #3 Collaborative weed control and revegetation Outcomes of Actions #9/10 can also be used to inform It is understood that Healthy Land and Water have priority locations for riparian revegetation and floodplain catchment models which are used to inform the Report 2018-2020 (3 years), $200k estimated restoration based on erosion and sediment transport risk. 28

Erosion and sediment control Fish passage and habitat in Ipswich waterways and is currently under threat from loss of habitat as well as declining water quality and pollution. A Fish Biodiversity Survey and Habitat Action #2 Improved erosion and sediment control on Action #6 Restore habitat and fish passage at three Assessment Study could identify additional locations for development sites priority locations the restoration of habitats to support the protection of 2018-ongoing, Low cost due to existing programs/ 2019-ongoing, $250-$300k estimated threatened species in the Bremer. funding Structures such as culverts, pipes, road crossings, State Government regulation and guidance is currently dams and weirs can prevent the movement of native Community education and in place to ensure new urban development provides best fish, impacting breeding and fish populations. The practice erosion and sediment control during construction design of any new structures should be completed engagement with the Bremer River and building phases. This includes a new stormwater with an understanding of their requirements for fish management design objective for sediment control on passage. The removal or adaption of these structures Action #7 Development of a Bremer River education construction sites in the State Planning Policy 2017 which can re-instate this movement and support native and engagement program to build understanding of is now performance based. The Queensland Government fish communities. Ipswich City Council and partners history, values and flood resilience also has a $2M program aimed at reducing the amount have already constructed the longest fish ladder in 2019-2021, Less than $50k to scope and outline of sediment washing off building and construction sites Queensland at Berry’s Lagoon which has been very community engagement and education program flowing into Moreton Bay and the Great Barrier Reef.9 successful with a five-day monitoring program showing The Bremer River has a rich history and provides a Part of this funding is supporting Erosion Sediment an average of 690 fish used the ladder at each day and range of values for the community including recreation Control capacity building for Local Governments and 10 ’new’ fish species which have not been recorded in and amenity. It is also understood that waterways the construction and building industries which are being the Bremer River catchment in over 14 years including are important cultural assets for the local Traditional developed by the Department of Environment and lungfish, yellow-finned bream, and forked tail catfish. Owners. There are many areas in the upstream sections Science (DES), Healthy Land and Water (HLW), the Local which are not visited by the community and are Government Association of Queensland, Master Builders It is recommended that a further three sites are therefore not understood in terms of their history and Queensland and the Housing Industry Association (Qld). retrofitted at priority locations to improve fish ecological value. It is recommended that this training is undertaken in key movement and fish habitat. The Greater Brisbane Urban growth areas in the Bremer Catchment. Fish Barrier prioritisation study identified a number It is recommended that a community education and of priority sites for the removal of fish barriers in the engagement program is scoped which focuses on Compliance is also an important component to ensure Bremer Catchment including: building the communities understanding of the Bremer best practice erosion and sediment control is being River in terms of its history, cultural values, ecological delivered. Tools exist to assist Local Government • ‘Runnymede’ Sheet pile and gabion basket weir on and recreational values and flooding characteristics. Key compliance officers (who have delegation under the Warrill Creek upstream of Cunningham Highway (#15 steps many include: Environmental Protection Act 1994). priority) • DNRME V notch weir upstream of ‘Runnymede’ weir 1. Identifying resources available (e.g. history of 9 https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/water/policy/urban-stormwater. on Bremer River (#12 priority) Bremer River, current signage and factsheets, flood html#erosion_and_sediment_control_esc notifications and alerts). • DNRME V notch weir at Walloon on Warrill Creek (and 2 additional barriers upstream) 2. Determine materials required to address information gaps (e.g. signage, factsheets, books etc). • Rock weir at Worley Park on Bundamba Creek 3. Collect stories and information to develop new The Ipswich Nature Conservation Strategy identifies materials to build awareness of cultural, ecological the platypus as an iconic species which is present 29

and social significance of the Bremer River flooding impacts which result in parts of the base The State Planning Policy 2017 includes a design waterways. (including the runway) being flooded and access roads objective for waterway stability which applies ‘if being cut off (except parts of Cunningham Highway development drains to an unlined waterway within or Coordinated infrastructure and Rosewood Road). The Western Ipswich Bypass downstream of the site where a risk of increased erosion will connect the Warrego Highway at Haigslea and the exists due to changes in hydrology.’10 planning for regional flood Cunningham Highway at Willowbank. This work will It is understood that this detention is not always required include an upgrade of a section of the Cunningham improvements for developments in Ipswich as it is contested whether Highway near the RAAF Base Amberley. it is necessary based on the condition of the receiving Action #11 Co-ordinated floodplain management It is proposed that meetings are held between environment. strategies and Southern Freight Rail planning to improve stakeholders to ensure that the planning and design It is proposed that a study be undertaken which flood resilience of critical downstream assets of the Cunningham Highway upgrades also consider determines if and how Bremer waterways are impacted opportunities to improve the flood immunity of local 2018 (In-kind time required) by altered hydrology and identifies suitable solutions for access roads and also address traffic implications for the local area. For example: The Southern Freight Rail Corridor will serve as a the biggest RAAF base in Australia. Designs should also major freight link between Melbourne and Brisbane. consider terrestrial and aquatic passage. Note that the • Waterway stability objectives and appropriate The route identified for the corridor includes a link flooding requirements may change if flood levels are solutions for new urban developments which are between Rosewood and Undullah which crosses the altered due to regional flood management solutions. suitable to address impacts in the Bremer waterways Bremer Catchment upstream of Ebenezer, RAAF Base Amberley and the Ipswich CBD. The Brisbane River • Feasibility of using smart rainwater tanks or green Floodplain Management Strategy identifies this a Urban hydrology management infrastructure in new developments or retrofits priority opportunity to provide regional flood mitigation (including open space precinct plans) to reduce Action #12 Investigate the impact of altered hydrology and is likely to be a focus in the Bremer Floodplain nuisance flooding or urban heat risks. from new urban areas on bank stability, geomorphology Management Strategy. The location of the rail corridor and flooding and identify required development upstream of key assets such as RAAF Base Amberley 10 https://dilgpprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/spp-july-2017.pdf outcomes to address this and the Ipswich CBD could result in flood mitigation in these flood prone areas. This could also change 2019/2020, $90k estimated for study Floodplain / wetland management the regional flooding response characteristics. It is Urban environments can be highly impervious and understood that planning and design of the Southern therefore can pose a flood risk (due to increased runoff Action #13 Determine the value / services of Freight Rail is currently being undertaken. volumes), channel erosion risk (due to increased flows) as floodplains and wetlands to help justify protection It is proposed that meetings are held in the near future well as heat exposure risk (due to urban heat island effect). 2019 ($75k estimated for study) between stakeholders to ensure that the planning New urban development must meet the requirements Currently floodplains and wetlands are preserved in and design of the Southern Freight Rail Corridor can of the State Planning Policy 2017 and the Local Council flood prone land but there are limited requirements for consider and include regional flood improvements Planning Scheme in terms of flooding, waterway the preservation of these values outside of the current identified in the flood management strategies. stability and design. The Planning scheme requires no flood regulation line for new urban development. worsening for flooding (ensure the drainage capacity is Action #16 Co-ordinated road upgrades to improve It is proposed that a study which identifies the flood resilience of RAAF Base Amberley ok) and also mentions shade awnings and street trees in the design of buildings in the CBD. Ipswich City Council services provided by these areas and can assign the Timing unknown (In-kind time required) also undertakes precinct plans to inform the planning environmental, social and economic benefits provided RAAF Base Amberley currently experiences significant and design of open spaces across the city. by floodplains and wetlands would be beneficial to help 30 justify why they need to be protected on rural lands and Bremer Flows in new urban development areas. This will also help to support the Ipswich Waterway Health Strategy which Action #15 Identify flow requirement to improve has a number of actions focused on the protection of Bremer Estuary water quality and compare this to wetlands and floodplains. current Moreton Plan water allocations and water usage Precinct or corridor stormwater, 2020 (Estimated $90k to undertake study) A previous study by the Cooperative Research Centre flood and / or waterway (CRC) for Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway management strategies Management identified that the provision of environmental flows could improve the condition of the Action #14 Develop precinct integrated water Bremer Estuary. Currently the poor water quality in the management plans for key growth areas estuary is a key factor in the poor Healthy Land and Water report card score. 2019-2020 ($75k estimated per study) The Moreton Resources Operation Plan regulates the Currently stormwater management plans and flood use of water in the Bremer Catchment for irrigation management plans are submitted for individual purposes and sets allocations for licenced users. development sites which makes it difficult to understand Landholders adjacent to waterways are also able to how the proposed solution fits within a regional solution. extract water from the catchment without a licence It is proposed that integrated water management for stock or domestic watering purposed. No new plans are developed for the urban development areas licences for groundwater or surface water extraction are along Western Growth Corridor to identify suitable available for the Moreton region. regional solutions for waterway, stormwater and/or It is proposed that an investigation is undertaken to flood management which can be used in negotiations re-investigate the required environmental flow to with developers to ensure that the solutions delivered improve the condition of the Bremer Estuary. This study address regional waterway and flooding outcomes. should compare this environmental flow volume to the Creek Corridor Plans have been developed in the past by total flows in the Bremer catchment and water that is Ipswich City Council which could be used as a template currently allocated and currently used in the catchment for this work. to understand where trade-offs might need to occur. Currently Ipswich is one of the only Councils in South East Queensland which does not have a Local Government Infrastructure Plan (LGIP) for stormwater (quantity or quality) to inform how infrastructure charges can be spent on stormwater projects. It is proposed that discussions are held to understand how infrastructure charging could support stormwater planning in the future. 31 Images courtesy of Ipswich City Council and Scenic Rim Regional Council.