Next stage in the restoration of the Bremer River, Ipswich
Community, government and business leaders will meet on Monday September 6 to help secure funding to support the on-going restoration of the Bremer River.
International RiverFoundation in partnership with Ipswich City Council has backed the launch of the Bremer River Fund Committee to be held at Queens Park Environmental Education Centre Ipswich.
“This launch is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the outcomes of our Bremer River Forum in April that showed the passion and commitment of some 200 delegates to work towards a brighter future for the Bremer River and its catchment,” Peter Krause, CEO of International RiverFoundation said.
“These delegates represented natural resource practitioners and researchers, government, community and industry – a great show of support for Ipswich’s most precious natural resource.”
The launch of the Bremer River Fund Committee signified the next stage in the restoration of the Bremer River. Ipswich City Council and the state government invested $5.4 million in the rejuvenation of River Heart Parklands which opened in 2007.
Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said the parklands had helped to re-focus the city towards its historic riverfront.
“Let’s continue to turn the tide on the Bremer River as a legacy for our city, our children, local industry and Moreton Bay,” Cr Pisasale said.
“It is up to all of us – community groups and local businesses together with all levels of government – to work to restore the river that is the lifeblood of our native fauna and flora, and a vibrant feature of our cityscape.”
The Bremer River Fund Committee will oversee the Bremer River Fund that will support the collaborative implementation of practical solutions to ensure the river's future health and vitality.
This would include identifying hot spots for investment and action, improving riparian vegetation, reducing nutrient loads and increasing dissolved oxygen levels.
The Bremer River Fund Committee consists of representatives from Ipswich City Council, Swift Australia, New Hope Coal, Energex, Thiess, Natural Resources, CS Energy, Queensland Urban Utilities, International RiverFoundation and International WaterCentre.
Contributions to the Bremer River Fund will be managed by the committee, and donations can be made through International RiverFoundation.
April 26, 2010
The Bremer River Forum has been hailed
a success by the Mayor of the City of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale. The program
featured insights from various keynote speakers regarding river restoration processes
and the history of the Bremer River catchment, as well as interactive
discussion led by a panel of experts. Many differing opinions were voiced and colourful
debate resulted in a ‘Solutions Statement' - a synthesis of ten actions
required to revitalise the Bremer River.
The
Bremer River Forum, held in the heart of Ipswich at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International,
involved 180 committed individuals representing state and local governments, local
business and industry, catchment associations and environmental organisations,
landholders and curious residents.
Special
guest Ron Littlefield, Mayor of Chattanooga Tennessee was inspirational in his
address to participants in the Forum. Invited to Australia by International
RiverFoundation, Mayor Littlefield described his city's journey from "the most
polluted city in America" in the 1960s into an iconic city of great
environmental, social and economic growth. Mayor Littlefield explained that with
"clear vision, the passion to follow through with that vision, and the faith in
yourself to achieve your goals" transformation of Ipswich and the Bremer River
catchment is possible.
Participants
in the Forum agreed that together stakeholders needed to "act with audacity and
with a vision that exceeds current expectations" if the Bremer River is to be
revived.
Those
present also agreed to formulate one management plan for the Bremer River,
utilising all the knowledge and information from several other existing
management plans, and that there needed to be a greater range of funding
sources from both private and public sectors.
International
RiverFoundation has also driven the establishment of the Bremer River Fund, for
which over $185,000 has been raised for on-ground work within the Bremer River
catchment. Restoration actions to be funded include protecting and conserving
remaining high conservation value aquatic ecosystems and adjacent lands,
improving vegetation within 25 metres of the Bremer riverbanks and improving
environmental flows.
Overall,
the Forum provided all stakeholders with a solid understanding of the action
needed, with the Solutions Statement and Bremer River Fund providing Mayor
Pisasale with a platform from which to "kick-starting restoration works on the
Bremer".
International
RiverFoundation would like to extend a special thanks to all who participated
in the Bremer River Forum and looks forward to communicating the next steps in
the Bremer River's restoration journey.
International Riverfoundation's CEO, Peter Krause, former boardmember Else Shepherd andChattanooga Mayor, Ron Littlefield
The City of Ipswich owes its foundation to the Bremer River and the wealth of natural resources within its catchment. The discovery of minerals such as limestone and coal led to the establishment of the region as a hub of agriculture, manufacturing and mining from the mid 1800s.
The condition of the natural resources within the Bremer River Catchment has been markedly influenced by the mining, industrial and agricultural land uses introduced with early European settlement. Today, grazing and crop production are still important industries, and the Mt Flinders Dolomite Mine at Peak Crossing, established in the early 1890s, continues to operate.
The Bremer's failing health
For a number of years the Bremer River has received an ‘F’ (fail), in the South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP) Report Card. Difficulties’ balancing environmental needs of the Bremer River Catchment with various industrial, agricultural and human needs goes some way to explaining the poor water quality within the catchment, which suffers from low flows that are unable to meet all demands and to flush out impurities. High levels of turbidity, nutrients, pollution and bacteria, especially where sewerage and drains from the city of Ipswich are discharged into the river, have resulted in such poor water quality that the freshwater within the Bremer River is considered in very poor condition, and the estuarine areas are considered to be failing.
Reviving the Bremer
It is well recognised that the availability and use of natural resources within the Bremer River Catchment needs to be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability and to prevent further degradation. In an attempt to improve water quality within the catchment, local community groups have been involved in such activities as riparian re-vegetation, fencing, weed control, and seeking to improve the management of ground- and river-water allocations. However, much more needs to be done to ensure the health of the Bremer River doesn’t deteriorate further – the restoration of the Bremer River is an ongoing journey.
“The poor health of the Bremer River, as reflected in consistently low Healthy Waterways Report Card scores, is something that should concern the entire Ipswich community. Together, it is up to all of us - community groups and local businesses together with Council - to work to restore the river that is the lifeblood of our native fauna and flora, and a vibrant feature of our cityscape. I urge everyone to get involved in reviving the Bremer – such as by participating in the upcoming Bremer WaterForum, or contributing financially to the Bremer River Fund.” Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale.
Partnerships for a healthy river - be a part of the future
The health and vitality of the Bremer River is one of the fundamental building blocks to the region’s future sustainability, and necessary to ensure the Bremer River catchment and City of Ipswich continue to prosper into the future.
River and waterway restoration success depends on the combined engagement of institutions, community, science and business. The health of the Bremer River is a concern to the Ipswich and wider Bremer River catchment communities, as well as to the industries that depend on water from the River.
With the support of local government, organisations such as the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership, International WaterForum, International WaterCentre and International Riverfoundation, along with local industries and businesses, the health of the Bremer River can be restored.
Bremer River Restoration Partners
The Bremer River Fund
The Bremer River Fund is to be established to support the implementation of practical solutions to restore the Bremer River as the lifeblood of the Ipswich region.
Funds will be managed by International Riverfoundation in collaboration with Ipswich City Council and other local community and industry stakeholders, and used to support a range of practical restorative works and sustainable management initiatives that will lead to direct improvements to the Bremer River and its catchment.
International Riverfoundation is an environmental charity that actively promotes the restoration, protection and sustainable management of the world’s rivers and waterways, envisioning a future in which all of the world’s rivers and waterways are sustainably managed.
The vision of the Bremer River Fund is for the Bremer River catchment to be recognised as an A grade waterway according to the South East Queensland Healthy Waterways EHMP Report Card.
Bremer River Forum
In order to arrest the failing health of the Bremer, it is imperative that the sources of the problem are understood, and all stakeholders concerned have the opportunity to participate in the development and delivery of solutions. To facilitate the wide ranging discussion required on the issues facing the Bremer, and the solutions necessary to restore it to health, International WaterForum, International WaterCentre, International Riverfoundation and Ipswich City Council are hosting the Bremer River Forum as part of the Ipswich 150 celebrations. As a participant in the Forum, you will have an opportunity to take part in discussions of identified solutions for the Bremer River and its catchment.
The Bremer River Forum will take place at the Metro Hotel Ipswich International, on Thursday 15 April 2010. It is estimated that up to 200 delegates representing natural resource practitioners and researchers, government, community and industry representatives will attend the full day event. Recommendations for practical initiatives agreed at the Forum will be presented to the Mayor At the conclusion of the Forum, during the launch of the Ipswich 150 celebrations.
Reviving the Bremer
It is well recognised that the availability and use of natural resources within the Bremer River Catchment needs to be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability and to prevent further degradation. In an attempt to improve water quality within the catchment, local community groups have been involved in such activities as riparian re-vegetation, fencing, weed control, and seeking to improve the management of ground- and river-water allocations. However, much more needs to be done to ensure the health of the Bremer River doesn’t deteriorate further – the restoration of the Bremer River is an ongoing journey.
