A record $30 million is set to flow into Queensland’s Resilient Rivers (SEQ) program to revitalise the health and resilience of waterways, wetlands and Moreton Bay.
The funding includes $21.3 million already committed through the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ), alongside $8.7 million from partners including SEQ councils and Seqwater.
The two-year investment (2025-26 and 2026-27) is the largest coordinated program of waterway and habitat revitalisation since the program was established following the 2011 floods.
Resilient Rivers (SEQ) is one of 29 commitments being delivered under the SEQ City Deal, a partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ). The SEQ City Deal aims to improve the accessibility, prosperity and liveability of the region, which is home to more than four million residents.
“The growth of our region is both a challenge and an opportunity, and this partnership will help us ensure the ongoing health and resilience of South East Queensland’s incredible waterways,” said Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair, Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner.
“Brisbane River and Moreton Bay are some of our most important natural assets generating billions in economic benefit for trade, tourism and transport; and we need to protect them.
“While other global cities are known for buildings and structures, South East Queensland is known for its pristine landscapes, waterways and coastlines and we want that to be a focus during the Brisbane 2032 Games.”

Queensland Minister for the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Andrew Powell said the Government was partnering with Councils “to deliver real, on-the-ground action to restore waterways, revitalise native habitats and ensure Queensland’s natural beauty is protected for generations to come”.
“South East Queensland’s greatest tourism drawcards are its natural assets from the beautiful Moreton Bay to lush rainforests and our unique Aussie wildlife,” he said.
“Whether it’s spotting platypus in the wild, kayaking at Moreton Bay’s islands or exploring Scenic Rim or Sunshine Coast’s lush rainforests, this program will help protect ecotourism and support local jobs to deliver lasting benefits for the people who live, work and visit here.”
The funding will accelerate works to rehabilitate the region’s rivers and streams, preventing more than 16,000 tonnes of sediment from entering local waterways each year. It will deliver long-term benefits across the region from Noosa River in the north to Albert River in the south, restoring more than 115 hectares of native habitat.
Investment will help establish the first regional platypus monitoring program using innovative eDNA water sampling to uncover vital information about platypus as well as freshwater turtles and the endangered Australian Lungfish, a species that dates back over 100 million years.
More than 200 purpose-built ‘cod hotels’ will also be constructed, with the underwater log structures providing shelter and breeding habitat for the critically endangered, Mary River Cod.
An additional 200,000 new native plants will support some of South East Queensland’s most vulnerable species with cutting-edge science and natural solutions harnessed as part of the program to combat invasive weeds.
“The Resilient Rivers Initiative program is a great example of what we can achieve when all levels of government work together to safeguard communities,” said Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, Ann Leahy.
“This program is delivering real results in disaster recovery and long-term flood resilience, including reducing the impact of flood waters and sediment from devastating our communities and ecosystems.”
For more information on the Resilient Rivers SEQ program and upcoming projects, visit: www.resilientrivers.com.au.