Waterways and wetlands that are healthy, resilient to change and valued by the community – that's what Sunshine Coast Council has aspired to achieve by 2041.
The latest results from the annual Healthy Land and Water Report Card shows council is already on track to achieve good or excellent grades, across all catchments – a target set in the Environment and Liveability Strategy (ELS).
Notably, the internationally significant Pumicestone Passage received an A- for its ecological health, up from a B+ last year, and received 4 stars for its benefits rating, highlighting that the passage is highly valued by the community and local businesses.
Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said it was wonderful to see such an iconic and valued waterway receiving full marks in the annual report card.
"Council is committed to the ongoing protection and management of our waterways and catchments, both for their environmental value and also the liveability of our beautiful region," Cr McKay said.
"An A- means the Pumicestone Passage is in excellent condition, which is great news, not only for the people who enjoy it for recreation, but for the aquatic flora and fauna habitats it supports.
"Thousands of locals and visitors enjoy the Pumicestone Passage for boating, paddling, fishing and swimming each year.
"Environmentally, it's also really important, containing significant flora such as seagrass meadows, sand islands, intertidal flats, mangroves and saltmarsh.
"And, it's home to iconic and threatened fauna like turtles, water mouse, dugong and migratory shorebirds."
Each year, thanks to the local Environment Levy, Sunshine Coast Council participates in the Healthy Land and Water Monitoring Program – one of the most comprehensive waterway monitoring programs in Australia.
Healthy Land and Water CEO Julie McLellan said the 2019 Report Card results showed that people on the Sunshine Coast love their waterways.
"The Sunshine Coast is fortunate to have beautiful waterways which underpin the local lifestyle, cultural identity and economy. Our community survey highlights that the Sunshine Coast waterways are regarded as an iconic and much-loved community asset," Ms McLellan said.
"Through their Environment and Liveability Strategy, it's great to see that Sunshine Coast Council is so committed to the ongoing protection of local waterway health."
In addition to the Pumicestone Passage, the Report Card highlighted that Sunshine Coast catchments are highly or very highly valued by the community, and are ecologically in fair to excellent condition.
It is natural for waterway health to vary from year to year as a result of environmental conditions such as rainfall, which causes more pollutants to enter our waterways. Through the ELS, council is continuing to invest in major environmental management programs that support catchment and waterway health, to ensure the Sunshine Coast's natural assets are preserved for future generations.
