A SIGNIFICANT boost to the Albert River's health has been documented in this year's Healthy Land and Water report card, released on October 22.
The freshwater reaches of the upper Albert River were identified as a strength for the water system which was upgraded from a C grade in last year's report to a B minus rating, the strongest result since 2011.
Platypus sightings have been reported in sections of the Albert River this year and overall water quality improved despite a decline in estuarine health and poor stream bank vegetation and wetland habitat in the freshwater reaches of the catchment.
Pollution dropped to very low levels and the health of freshwater creeks improved from good to excellent condition, which has been attributed to improved water flow and bug health.
In the Logan River, a more modest improvement was recorded from C minus to C despite a significant reduction in pollution levels and turbidity.
Freshwater health declined in the Logan River catchment due to a decrease in fish community health across various sites while estuarine health and stream bank vegetation remained fair.
A Logan City Council spokesperson said underwater camera footage from the University of Sunshine Coast at Carbrook confirmed healthy stocks of fish, including yellow-finned bream and mud crabs.
"Scientific testing of the flesh of fish taken from the river found the fish were safe to eat and within health guidelines for pesticides, herbicides and heavy metals," the spokesperson said.
Improvement in the Albert and Logan rivers contributed to a reduction of sediment, improved water quality and seagrass growth in Moreton Bay.
The two rivers compared well against the Upper Brisbane, Lockyer and Bremer rivers which scored D ratings but fell short when compared to Broadwater, Pumicestone, Noosa and all sections of Moreton Bay, which all achieved A ratings.
Logan City Council has more than 20 waterway improvement and rehabilitation projects under their 50-year River Vision.
These include Logan and Albert fish habitat assessment projects, Resilient Rivers Initiative, riparian planting and weed management, Scrubby Creek Recovery Plan and waterbody improvement projects.
The council also developed the Logan River trail with a combined length of 70km, with park-to-park legs ranging from 1.4km to 32.4 km.
More than $460,000 has been contributed to the Council of Mayor's Resilient Rivers Initiative over the past two years, which aims to reduce erosion and sediment run-off.
The funding has supported projects including the planting of 4500 trees along the Logan River at Woodhill and Allenview with another 3000 trees to be planted on the Allenview riverbank as part of stage two.
