Report handed down on Ipswich waterways

27 August 2020

Ipswich City Council is gearing up to tackle the city’s waterway health issues, after a report on its roles and responsibilities in the management of the Bremer River and other Ipswich waterways was handed down last week.

The report also provides an overview of the legislative framework, other key stakeholders, the health status, and the priority investment actions for waterways in Ipswich.

Mayor Teresa Harding, who called for the report earlier this year, said council was committed to working with the community and other organisations to improve the state of the Bremer River.

“Council’s primary role in waterway health management is to meet community expectations through policy, planning and management actions,” Mayor Harding said.

“This report clearly depicts the gravity of the task we have set out to achieve, with the recovery of the Bremer River requiring a dedicated, long-term approach to investment.

“While we are just one player in the broader context for waterway and catchment management, council is well positioned to lead, advocate for and implement real change at a local level.

“We are committed to building strong and workable partnerships with other organisations to plan, promote and implement successful strategies for improving our waterways.”

In response to the report, council has adopted its new Waterway Health Strategy.

Environment and Sustainability Committee chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said the strategy would provide the strategic direction for investment in citywide and sub-catchment based actions.

“It is crucial for the sustainable development and growth of our city that we have a plan to balance the protection and health of our waterways with access for community enjoyment and all the benefits that brings,” Cr Milligan said.

“Our new Waterway Health Strategy will go a long way to achieving better management and improving the way we look after our precious waterways by building on the best available science and past actions to set the investment priorities for the next three to five years.”

View the full strategy on the Ipswich City Council website.