Regional Summary

In 2008-2009, the catchments of South East Queensland received the highest annual average rainfall since the start of the EHMP (1999). This resulted in more flows in the freshwater streams, however, the increased rainfall also carried extremely high loads of sediment and nutrients (diffuse source pollution) from the catchments into the rivers, and then to the estuaries and Moreton Bay.

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Freshwater

There was no significant change in the overall health of South East Queensland's freshwater streams from 2008 to 2009. Slight improvements in the biological health indicators (aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish) associated with increased flows from the high rainfall were offset by a decrease in the nutrient cycling indicator. This decrease in the nutrient cycling indicator reflects the overwhelming amount of diffuse source pollution entering the streams. Freshwater streams in the highly urbanised catchments of Lower Brisbane, Lower Oxley, and Redland maintained F ratings. The Albert Catchment received an improved grade (B- to A-), indicating excellent water quality. Generally, more native fish species and a lower proportion of alien fish were recorded within South East Queensland's streams this year.

Estuaries

The 2009 Estuarine Report Card results have revealed an overall decline in the ecosystem health of South East Queensland's estuaries, with only the Caboolture Estuary improving slightly (F to D-). Of the remaining 17 estuaries, seven retained the same grade as the 2008 Report Card and 10 decreased in grade, with Cabbage Tree, Oxley, Bremer, Logan and Albert estuaries receiving an F. The major causes of the decline in ecosystem health were increased turbidity, nutrients and phytoplankton abundance, and decreased dissolved oxygen.

Moreton Bay

The ecosystem health of Moreton Bay was also affected by the high rainfall carrying significant loads of nutrients and sediment from the catchments. This resulted in decreased water clarity and increased phytoplankton abundance, total nitrogen and sewage-derived nitrogen and led to a significant decrease in the overall grade for Moreton Bay (B- to D). Only two of the nine reporting regions improved in grade: Pumicestone Passage (C to C+) and Eastern Banks (A- to A). The remaining seven reporting regions showed declines in ecosystem health, with Waterloo Bay showing the most significant reduction in grade (A to D+). These results emphasise the need to understand the resilience of Moreton Bay to cope with extreme pressures brought about by high rainfall events.