December 8, 2021
Somerset Regional Council is “extremely disappointed” the State Government has not responded to its calls for help to protect the riverbeds and banks in the mid-Brisbane River.
“The job of improving and protecting the waterways in south-east Queensland catchments is too big for a single council or community group,” Mayor Graeme Lehmann said.
“We need more help and have been calling on the Department of Resources to take action to protect their own riverbeds and banks in the mid-Brisbane catchment.
“Council received advice this week from the Director-General of the Department of Resources confirming that the State is not in a position to help us protect Brisbane’s water supply, and this is extremely disappointing.
“Council took the initiative to install bollards at several locations for community safety reasons late last year to prevent inappropriate reactional access to the river and riverbank.
“Blocking access gives trees and grass time to grow, improving riverbank stability and reducing the amount of soil going into the waterway.
“CCTV cameras have also been installed at a number of locations on the mid-Brisbane River.
“Riverbeds and river banks are the responsibility of the State Government, and the mid-Brisbane is not just a river, it is south-east Queensland’s water supply.
“To be told that the responsibility sits solely with us is not the response we were expecting.”
