The Streambank Remediation Program – O’Connell Sites Project

As part of the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and the Australian Government’s Reef Trust, the Streambank Remediation Program – O’Connell Sites project (the project) will deliver important remediation works along stream banks in the O’Connell catchment. The project’s primary goals are to improve water quality outcomes by reducing fine sediment entering the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon and to improve riparian areas’ resilience to extreme weather events. The project will continue to support the progress towards the Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Program End of Catchment anthropogenic 2025 water quality targets for the O’Connell catchment that include a reduction of 40% (96kt) to fine sediment loads by 2025.

The program of works will include:

• • The installation of major streambank remediation sites at three locations throughout the O’Connell catchment.
  • The installation of multiple remediation strategies such as riparian fencing, weed control and active revegetation to improve reach connectivity. 
  • Support and enhance local service provider capability and capacity for implementing streambank remediation projects. 

What is the project about, what problems does it address?

Sediment run-off continues to be one of the biggest pressures on the GBR. This funding will help further reduce sediment run-off from eroded streambanks and gullies, which is a key threat to Reef water quality.  The O’Connell catchment contributes the largest load of fine sediment for the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Region and is considered a priority for water quality investment. 

How will this be achieved?

A combination of remediation activities will be used to improve streambank stability including construction of bank toe protection through engineered designed approaches, revegetation works, riparian fencing and weed control. Riparian restoration activities will occur over 4.5 ha across three sites. The works will improve 1.6km of Murray Creek and 0.2km of the O’Connell River. It is estimated the project will save ~1,980 tonnes/year of sediment from entering the GBR lagoon. 

The program also promotes regional skill retention, employing local service providers to implement streambank remediation projects, also supported by the Reef Assist 2.0 program.

Streambank Remediation Program – O’Connell Site is a project of the Reef Catchment’s Waterways team.

The Reef Catchments Streambank remediation program – O’Connell Sites project is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.